Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice

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This (copycat) Chipotle cilantro lime rice is an authentic Mexican recipe. The rice is tender, fluffy and aromatic. It has the memorable taste of cilantro and lime, with a delicious, satisfying mouthfeel. Make this easy recipe in 30 minutes.

📌 Pin Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice

👩🏻‍🍳 Why This Recipe’s a Keeper

• Cilantro lime rice is an ideal side. It’s very versatile. It pairs well with a wide range of proteins to include beans, chicken, beef, pork, and grilled shrimp. It can be plated with sautéed veggies and more. Use it to make a super burrito, or a healthy burrito bowl.
• It’s an easy recipe to prepare. The simplicity of ingredients is very appealing. It’s made with basic pantry staples plus fresh cilantro.
• Homemade cilantro lime rice is customizable to personal preferences. You can adjust the amount of lime, salt and cilantro to taste.
• If you’re a fan of Chipotle, this is the recipe you’ve been looking for. This copycat version of Chipotle cilantro lime rice has the same incredible flavor and beautiful aroma. Now you can make this popular side at home.

🛒 Ingredients

• Water: Provides hydration and moisture. It’s an essential liquid for cooking the rice.
• Jasmine Rice: Has a distinctive scent (long-grain rice does not). It’s the rice of choice for making Chipotle cilantro lime rice. But feel free to use long-grain white rice instead.
• Olive Oil: Contributes richness and moisture. It gives the rice a soft, luxurious texture with a silky smooth mouthfeel. It also helps prevent the rice from clumping together.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances the flavor of the rice.
• Lime Juice: Adds a bright citrusy taste that’s very refreshing. It’s a predominant flavor of cilantro lime rice. While fresh juice from Mexican limes (same as Key Limes) is best, feel free to use bottled lime juice. My favorite is “Nellie & Joe’s Famous Key West Lime Juice.”
• Cilantro: It’s very herbaceous. It adds a fresh lemony, peppery taste. This vibrant flavor enhances the overall taste of the rice.

🧑🏼‍🍳 Another recipe you’ll love: Mexican chicken and rice

📖 Recipe Steps

1. In a small heavy pot, bring water to a boil. Stir in the rice, salt, and half the amount of olive oil. Once it comes back to a boil, cover the pot with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Let the rice simmer for 15 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed.
2. Remove the pot from heat. Briefly lift the lid from the pot and drape a clean, lint-free cloth over the rice (but not touching it) and quickly put the lid back onto the pot. Let the rice rest in the covered pot for 10 minutes. The residual steam will finishing cooking the rice, and the cloth will absorb the steam and prevent condensation from forming on the lid and dripping back down onto the rice. This simple step helps improve the texture of the rice.
3. Remove the lid and cloth. Fluff up the rice with a fork. This releases steam and prevents the rice from becoming sticky. Transfer the rice to a mixing bowl. Sprinkle the rice with lime juice, remaining olive oil, cilantro, and a pinch of salt. Gently mix and toss with a fork. Do a taste taste. If desired, increase the amount of lime juice and/or add more salt.

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips

• Be sure to cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid while the rice is cooking to ensure even steaming and prevent the loss of moisture.
• To achieve a flavorful authentic result, it’s important to use fresh, high-quality ingredients. Refine the amount of lime juice and cilantro to achieve your preferred taste.
• Taste the rice and adjust the salt accordingly. The right amount of salt is crucial for bringing out the flavors of the lime and cilantro.
• Serve and enjoy Chipotle cilantro rice while warm. The flavors and textures are at their prime right after the rice has been cooked.
• How to store leftover rice: Preferably within 1 hour of cooking, transfer cooled rice to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
• How to rewarm leftover rice: Place cold rice in a microwave-safe dish. Sprinkle a small amount of water over the top to provide moisture. Microwave until the desired temperature is reached. For food safety, leftover rice should only be reheated once.

Rate This Recipe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Flavor testers rave about this recipe for Chipotle cilantro lime rice. They love the fresh citrusy flavor and herbaceous taste of cilantro. They say the fragrance and taste are identical to the restaurant version. They appreciate how easy it is to make this delicious side at home.

If you agree this recipe’s a keeper, give it a 5-star rating in the comments. Then be a recipe hero. Share it with friends. 📌 Pin it to Pinterest.

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Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice 👉🏻 Join the Convo

Have you tried Chipotle cilantro lime rice? What do you think of this flavorful Mexican side? Join the conversation in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you.