Cilantro Lime Rice is a super fast, copycat Chipotle rice recipe. Fresh cilantro, fresh lime, cooked rice, and a few pantry staples create a 10-minute flavor fiesta! It's budget-friendly, naturally vegan, gluten-free, and YOU control the sodium!
Cilantro Lime Rice turns plain rice into an exciting side dish!
Transform cooked rice, and watch it disappear!
Whether it’s for a party, or for Taco Tuesday, you’ll wonder where this recipe has been all your life!
This Chipotle rice copycat cilantro lime rice recipe is 4 of my favorite things:
- easy to make (simply add cilantro and lime to cooked rice)
- inexpensive (the entire dish is made with grocery staples)
- delicious (who doesn't love cilantro and lime)
- versatile (make it for parties, weeknight dinner, or weekly meal prep)
Some would even say it’s secretly healthy!
No matter what, this recipe turns plain, cooked rice into a gorgeous Mexican side dish that’s bursting with lime flavor.
How to make your own Chipotle Rice aka Cilantro Lime Rice
Step 1. Zest and juice a lime.
Step 2. Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 3. Add cooked rice and saute until warmed through, stirring as needed.
Step 4. Stir in fresh lime juice, cilantro, salt, pepper, and lime zest.
Step 5. Serve it up and watch it disappear!
* Full recipe available in the recipe card below
Cilantro Recipe Tips and FAQ’s
Can I use white or brown rice for Cilantro Rice?
You can use white rice or brown rice for this recipe.
Of course, brown rice usually gets the thumbs up for having more nutrients, protein, and fiber than white rice.
I'm happy with either one!
You can also use basmati rice, long grain rice, or jasmine rice. I’ve tried them all, and to be honest, I’m hard-pressed to pick a favorite.
What’s the best way to cook rice for this recipe?
You can cook rice using your favorite method, be it Instant Pot, rice cooker, or stove method.
The real trick I’ve found is to allow the rice to cool before using it in this recipe. Better yet, chilling it overnight gives it a better texture for this recipe...it’s less sticky.
You can always add more flavor to the rice by cooking it in chicken broth instead of plain water.
But you knew that already, didn’t ya?
What’s the best way to store Cilantro Rice?
I recommend storing this rice in an airtight container, preferably with a locking lid.
Cooked rice dries out quickly in the refrigerator, and the locking lid helps delay that process.
What’s the best way to reheat Cilantro Lime Rice?
I have two reheat recommendations:
1) Microwave: Sprinkle a few drops of water over it, cover, and reheat in one-minute increments until warmed through.
2) Stovetop: On medium heat in a nonstick skillet, heat a few drops of oil, add rice, saute until warmed through, stirring as needed.
Cilantro Lime Rice Ingredients:
- avocado oil (or any oil)
- cooked rice (white or brown)
- fresh limes
- fresh cilantro
- Kosher salt and pepper
Tools you'll need for this recipe:
- chef knife and cutting board
- lime juicer (or a fork will do)
- 12" nonstick skillet
Check out these other healthy Mexican recipes!
Cilantro Lime Rice
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp Avocado Oil or any oil
- 4 cups Cooked Rice white or brown
- 1 Lime zested and juiced
- 1/4 cup Cilantro chopped
- 1/4 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1/8 tsp Black Pepper
RECIPE VIDEO
Recipe Instructions
- Heat AVOCADO OIL until shimmering on medium-high heat in a non-stick skillet.
- Add COOKED RICE; sauté and stir until warmed through (4-5 minutes).
- Add LIME JUICE; continue heating and stir until juice is absorbed (1-2 minutes); add CILANTRO, SALT, PEPPER, and LIME ZEST; gently toss to combine; serve warm.
RECIPE NOTES
Nutrition
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Could you freeze this? I can’t wait to try!
Hi Holly, I haven't tried it...and probably would only do so with a vacuum sealer to help prevent the rice from drying out. It's so good though, it probably won't make it to the freezer 😉
This was great. My 5 and 2 year old really love the rice at Chipotle so I really wanted to recreate it at home and they both loved it.
Yay, slad to hear it, Stephanie! Thanks for stopping back by to let me know. We love our Cilantro Lime Rice too 🙂
This was delicious! My hubby and 5 year old son, absolutely loved it. Made it with cooked white rice.
Tatiana thank you! This absolutely makes my day...so glad your family loves it! 🙂
Hi Traci Tks. for this recipe. It will go well with my Tequila lime prawns. I always have too much cilantro and squeezed lime juice so now I know what to use it for. I'm excited to also try your way of cooking beans in the oven. Your recipes sound wonderful. Now I must get off my duff and try them.
the again. Claudia
Thanks Claudia! Hope you love this one...and the beans. I'm crazy about both! 🙂
I'm a huge cilantro lover so this recipe is right up my street! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Thanks Chris! I'm right there with you one the cilantro love 🙂
I love a good copycat recipe! And this one looks great!
Thanks Jessica...hope you get to try it sometime 🙂
Just pinned! I love how easy this is. And, even better, my 16 yo daughter finally likes cilantro (yay!), so I'm definitely making this!
Awesome! Your daughter is getting a great head start...some people never end up liking it 🙂
This sounds so easy and delicious. I'm a big fan of cilantro so I'll definitely be giving this one a try!
Awesome Stephanie! Right there with you on the cilantro love 🙂
I've never had this at Chipotle, but now I think I'll just try your version. It looks so easy and cilantro is one of my absolute favorite flavors!
Thanks so much, Pam....hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Such a great side dish! I love the combination of cilantro and lime - looks and sounds absolutely delicious.
Thanks Natalie...cilantro and lime are definitely a fav combo over here! 🙂
This sounds utterly gorgeous, and not too complicated to make too. It's my husband that's the rice maker in our house - I'll have to show him this recipe!
Thanks Elizabeth! Love hearing the kind words. Hope your husband gives it a try! 🙂
As someone completely obsessed with Chipotle, I can't wait to give this rice a try!
Haha I hear ya Elizabeth...you'll love this then! Thanks!
I always cook my brown rice in my pressure cooker. What a great idea to season it Mexican style. I will try this.
Thanks Laura! I'm with you on the pressure cooked rice...hope you get to try this too! 🙂
This looks so good! I love cilantro lime rice but it usually takes forever! I love this quick alternative.
Thanks Luci! Yep, we have cooked rice on hand so often...that's how I came up with the idea 🙂
They have the BEST RICE!!! I can't wait to try making my own at home! Yum!
You're so right, Liz! I can't even imagine modern day Mexican eats without it, actually 🙂 Thanks so much!
I always love this rice at Chipotle -- looking forward to making it at home.
Lisa, I think you'll love it if you love theirs! Here's hoping and cheers to copycats 🙂
This is a great way to liven up brown rice with a few simple steps! Bookmarking this to try!
So glad to hear it Carrie! Hope you get a chance to try it and hope you love it like I do! Thanks so much 🙂
I've never had Chipotle's brown rice before, but I can't wait to try your version. It looks like a perfect easy side, and cilantro and lime is one of my favorite combos!
Haha Tracy, cilantro lime are a staple condiment in my kitchen 😉 Thanks for commenting...hope you try it and love it!
Love this recipe! so good 🙂
Thanks so much Amanda! I'm pretty crazy for it 🙂
I tried out this recipe and it was absolutely perfect! Tasted exactly like Chipotle's rice! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
Well, you just made my day! So glad to hear you like it...thanks for stopping by and letting me know 🙂
I'm trying this today, using olive oil rather than avocado oil, as the avocado oil was $10.99 for a small bottle at Meijer.
Yay Karen...hope it turned out for you! Ya, I hear ya on the Avocado Oil. I buy it at Costco, so it's a great deal, otherwise, I'd use my trusty, Extra Virgin Olive Oil for this one. 🙂
Awesome, It look so yummy wanna try it. Thank for sharing!!!
Jen, pleasure is mine. Hope you enjoy the recipe! I love it with brown or white rice 🙂