Cilantro Lime Rice
Fluffy white rice, brightly flavored with freshly chopped cilantro and lime juice, is the perfect accompaniment to tacos, burritos, salads, and more.
This recipe is SO simple and so good. The flavors that fresh cilantro and slightly tart citrusy lime add to the rice make plain rice fresh and interesting, and pretty, too!
I love adding this cilantro lime rice to a Mexican meal. Its bright flavors are a perfect foil to what can be a cheesy and spicy meal. Add it to your burrito, or burrito bowl. It’s great as a side with tacos or chili. Try serving cilantro lime rice with taco chicken tenders.
Cilantro lime rice goes great with Instant Pot honey Sriracha chicken, too. Serve it with steamed broccoli and you have a totally delicious meal.
If you enjoy the food at the restaurant Chipotle, this rice may sound familiar. It is a copycat of their delicious rice (do you know they also have brown rice now?). This version probably has much less sodium, oil and fat than their version though, and tastes just as great. It’s way more economical to make your own, too.
About this cilantro lime rice
Any long grain white rice will work: jasmine, basmati, or regular long grain white rice. You can make it with brown rice, too.
There are various methods for cooking rice: on the stovetop which is the method I use for this recipe, with a rice steamer, or in your Instant Pot. Use whichever method you’re most comfortable with.
So whatever method you choose, get the rice cooking, and in the meantime, juice the lime and chop fresh cilantro. Don’t worry about throwing in a few stems as well, as long as they’re pretty finely chopped. Mix the lime juice and cilantro with olive oil in the serving bowl.
When the rice is finished cooking, spoon it into the serving bowl and mix with the lime/cilantro mixture. Isn’t that easy? If you want, garnish with more cilantro or lime zest. A sprinkle of coarsely ground black pepper would be good, too!
More Southwestern sides:
If you like this cilantro lime rice, you may want to try:
Cilantro Lime Rice
Similar to the rice you love at Chipotle and so easy to make at home. The fresh taste of this cilantro lime rice is the perfect addition to any meal.
Ingredients
- 2 cups long grain white rice
- 4 cups water
- 1-2 teaspoons salt (according to preference)
- 6 teaspoons olive oil, canola, or vegetable oil, divided
- juice of 1 lime
- 6 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- In a medium pot, add rice, water, 2 teaspoons of oil and salt. Boil on high until the water is just covering the rice.
- Reduce heat to low, cover and continue to cook for 10-15 minutes or until rice is cooked. Remove from heat and keep covered for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large serving bowl, combine lime juice, cilantro, and remaining oil. Add rice when it has finished cooking and toss until mixed, fluffing rice with a fork as needed.
Notes
- Cook rice using whatever method you feel comfortable with.
- Substitute brown rice, cooking according to package directions.
- Sodium calculation is based on 2 teaspoons of salt added.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 78Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 427mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 1g
RachelCooks.com sometimes provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as they are not calculated by a registered dietitian. Please consult a medical professional for any specific nutrition, diet, or allergy advice.
40 Comments on “Cilantro Lime Rice”
Best rice I have made in a very long time!!! Delish!
So glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!
Can you use 2 cups no salt chicken broth and 2 cups of water instead of 4 cups of water for extra flavor?
You could…but there is already a ton of great flavor from the lime and cilantro so I don’t think it is really necessary.
I used chicken broth and it came out amazing
So happy to hear that! Thanks for coming back to leave a comment and share that tip with everyone!
I made this tonight in the rice cooker. Delicious!!!
can you use lemon juice innstead of lime?
I personally wouldn’t — it would completely change the taste.
I have never added oil to my cooked rice. Just wondering what it does for the rice.
Mostly just keeps it from clumping together :)
Thanks…`:)
Hi. Your are right, this is simple and delicious. Thanks for the recipe.
Made this last night, will be adding to our weekly meals. Boyfriend who eats chipolte very regularly said it tastes just like it!
Yay! Thanks for letting me know!
I made this recipe tonight and it was FANTASTIC. Thank you so much for sharing.
Glad you liked it! Thanks for coming back to let me know.
You want to know something funny? I made this from Skinny Taste a while back but I totally forgot where I got the recipe from lol! You are reminding me of how delicious it was! Mmm lime is so good on rice!
The flavors are so refreshing, aren’t they?
This sounds so great and full of flavour – I love how bright and vibrant it sounds!
Yum!! My kids have been LOVING rice lately, need to add this to the rotation!
LOVE Chipotle! Sadly I only get it when I go down to the city. Not sure why they haven’t thought about moving into our area. This rice looks delicious and it’s absolutely perfect for homemade burrito bowls.
I made this last night as part of my taco/burrito bar. Yum! It went perfectly with the sweet and spicy pork I made. Such a simple idea, but I never would have thought of it. I was so looking forward to leftovers for lunch today, then found out my husband threw out the leftover rice. :( Guess who’s being sent to the store for more lime and cilantro? :) Thanks for posting, Rachel!
So glad you liked it! Love that you’re making it again already! :)
Such pretty, festive rice! It’s always nice to have a deliciously flavored rice on hand like this one!
How delicious, I bet the lime makes the rice taste very refreshing and light!
This is my favorite rice dish EVER!
Thanks for the cinco de mayo ideas! This is fabulous!
Yum! This looks great! Bring on Cinco de Mayo!!!
chipotle rice is the best – m so glad you are sharing the healthier version :)
I love making this kind of dish at home. Cilantro is my #1 favorite!
This looks like the perfect side for all my favorite Mexican meals! Love the flavor!
So many of my friends HATE cilantro–I don’t understand it! I love the bright, almost spicy flavor it has. Great rice!
Love chipotle and their cilantro rice.
WATCH OUT CHIPOTLE! And the brown rice is pretty decent. I’d take your healthier version any day though, for real!
I have a recipe for Mexican rice that uses a lot of the same ingredients and while we love it, I would never consider it lowfat (fair amount of olive oil) and it includes serrano peppers so the heat has some friends steer clear. Nice to have an alternative!
I tried this copy cat recipe a few months ago. It is definitely a hit around here, too. We use brown rice, because my son is allergic to “real” rice, and it worked great!
I love a light rice to balance out my beans, this looks just right. Great recipe.
This is my favorite rice!! I am totally making this on sunday!
Sounds like a great way to add an easy side to a Mexican dish! Love the idea of lime in the rice.