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! Add this budget-friendly recipe to your Mexican recipe collection.
Cilantro Lime Rice lets you transform plain cooked rice into an exciting dish 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! It's a gorgeous Mexican side dish that’s bursting with lime flavor.
What I love about copycat Chipotle cilantro rice
- 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
Key ingredients
- avocado oil - or preferred oil
- cooked rice white or brown rice
- fresh limes - I don't recommend packaged lime juice
- fresh cilantro - always use fresh (not dried) cilantro
How to make cilantro lime rice
- Zest and juice a lime.
- Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add cooked rice and saute until warmed through, stirring as needed.
- Stir in fresh lime juice, cilantro, salt, pepper, and lime zest.
- Serve it and watch it disappear!
Recipe tips
Use white rice or brown rice for Cilantro Rice - Brown rice has more nutrients, protein, and fiber than white rice. But, some people won't touch brown rice. Good thing it goes either way.
What’s the best method to cook rice for cilantro lime rice? You can cook rice using your favorite method, be it Instant Pot, rice cooker, or stove method. The real trick is to allow the rice to cool before using it in this recipe. Chilling it overnight is even better!
How to add flavor - Cilantro rice is naturally flavorful, but if you want more, cook the rice in chicken broth instead of plain water.
Storing cilantro rice - Refrigerate cooked rice in an airtight container with a locking lid. Cooked rice dries out quickly in the refrigerator, and the locking lid helps delay that process.
2 ways to reheat cilantro rice:
- Microwave: Sprinkle a few drops of water over it, cover, and reheat in one-minute increments until warmed through.
- Stovetop: On medium heat in a nonstick skillet, heat a few drops of oil, add rice, saute until warmed through, stirring as needed.
Recommended tools
- chef knife and cutting board
- lime juicer (or a fork will do)
- 12" nonstick skillet
More Mexican recipes
- Black Bean Corn Salsa
- Taco Pasta [Instant Pot or stove]
- Loaded Steak Nachos
- Avocado Ranch Dressing
- Restaurant Style Salsa
- Fresh Peach Salsa
- Mango Salsa
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
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.
Nutrition
Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.
Joy says
I skipped the skillet and made it in my Instapot. It was a huge hit with my family.
Awesome! Yes, I'm planning to include Instant Pot instructions for this recipe 🙂 Glad you enjoyed!
Trililac says
Thank you for sharing this recipe. It's so quick and delicious. My kids and hubby loves it.
Awesome! So glad the family signed off on this recipe. We're big fans too 🙂 Thanks for the feedback!
Mackenzi says
Just made this, it's delicious!! Thank you for sharing!
You're so welcome and thanks for the feedback, Mackenzi. So glad you enjoyed 🙂
Holly says
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 😉
Stephanie says
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 🙂
Tatiana says
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! 🙂
Claudia says
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! 🙂
Chris Collins says
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 🙂
Jessica Formicola says
I love a good copycat recipe! And this one looks great!
Thanks Jessica...hope you get to try it sometime 🙂
EA The Spicy RD says
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 🙂