Make your own restaurant-style burritos and bowls at home this week with this Chipotle copycat Cilantro Lime Rice! It’s the ultimate Taco Tuesday upgrade, and you won’t believe how quick and easy it is to make! You’ll just need 5 ingredients and 10 minutes to create your bright and zesty rice!
Do you LOVE the flavor-packed rice at Chipotle as much as I do??
Then you’re REALLY going to love knowing how to make one of the best Copycat Restaurant Recipes for Chipotle cilantro rice!
Sherri writes: "Absolutely love this! It's our favorite thing at Chipotle!"
Now my boys adore Chipotle… which means it’s one of those restaurants our family has on repeat. With fresh, delicious ingredients those bowls and burritos are pretty much drool-worthy, right?
But the rice is really what takes Chipotle bowls and burritos to the next level. With the perfect blend of citrus and cilantro, it’s unbeatable!
That’s why I was determined to find a quick and easy way to recreate it at home for weeknight dinners! Just like I did with my copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa and Chipotle Pico de Gallo Recipe.
So the next time you’re craving your favorite from Chipotle, save some cash when you stay home and make one of the best Mexican Side Dishes ever!
This rice with cilantro and lime has all the flavors you love from the original, but it’s made even better with that extra touch of love you get to add!
Plus, it’s crazy easy to make thanks to a genius minute rice time saving hack.
Seriously, it will be done and ready to eat in just 10 minutes!
So what are you waiting for?
Here’s what you’ll need to get started…
Ingredients
You’ll just need 5 simple ingredients to make the BEST cilantro lime rice recipe Chipotle copycat!
Just add the following items to your next grocery list so you have everything you need…
- Minute Rice – This instant rice will save you SO much time in the kitchen!
- Fresh Cilantro – Just like I use with my Blender Salsa Recipe.
- Lime – The fresh squeezed lime juice adds the authentic flavor of the original that you’re craving.
- Bay Leaf – Gives your rice a subtle, herby flavor.
- Salt – To enhance the flavors of your rice.
That’s it. So easy! Delicious Dinner Sides really don’t get any simpler or tastier than this cilantro lime rice with instant rice!
How To Make Cilantro Lime Rice
Making your own cilantro lime minute rice is actually SO easy!
Here’s what you’ll do…
1. Bring the specified amount of water to a boil in a sauce pan.
2. Add your rice and salt, and stir thoroughly.
3. Cover the sauce pan as directed.
4. Stir in your lime juice and fresh cilantro… then serve up your rice alongside this Sweet Pork Recipe or Crockpot Shredded Chicken for Tacos for a most delicious dinner!
How to Keep Cilantro Fresh
Cilantro can wilt and go limp pretty quickly. So this simple trick will help you keep it fresh until you’re ready to make your cilantro lime instant rice. And believe me, this method works like a charm!
- Place your cilantro in a glass filled halfway with fresh water.
- Attach your produce bag (or other plastic bag) loosely over the top, and secure with a rubber band.
- Store in refrigerator until ready to use, and change water every 1 – 2 days.
Peggy writes: “I love this tip! It works! I kept a bunch of Cilantro fresh in the refrigerator for weeks.”
DW writes: “I used this tip… it works every time, thanks”
Janet writes: “I do this every time I get a bunch from the grocery store. It will last up to 3 weeks”
How To Store
Leftovers of your chipotle cilantro rice can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. You can reheat the next day for some tasty lunch or dinner meal prep rice!
Reviews
Here’s what your frugal friends are saying about this cilantro lime rice recipe chipotle copycat…
One reader writes: “Perfect side dish for so many recipes!”
Serene writes: “I love how easy it is!! Great with any Tex-Mex meal!”
Heather writes: “Such a great side dish for taco nights!”
Andrea writes: “Yummy!”
Sherri writes: “Absolutely love this! It’s our favorite thing at Chipotle!”
Katherine writes: “Terrific!”
Alex writes: “Such a wonderful side dish”
Traci writes: “Always a favorite for Mexican night”
Kim writes: “Perfection!”
Melanie writes: “My son loves this! He could eat it everyday.”
More Classic Mexican Food Recipes
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Easy Guacamole Recipe
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Beef Burritos Recipe
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Beef and Cheese Enchiladas
Crockpot
Queso Chicken
Did You Enjoy This Recipe? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a comment & review below!
Cilantro Lime Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup Minute Rice
- 1 cup Water
- 2 tbsp fresh Cilantro, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp Lime Juice, fresh squeezed
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 1 pinch Salt
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients.
- Pour 1 cup of water into small or medium saucepan, add bay leaf, and bring water to a boil.
- After water is boiling, remove saucepan from heat. Add in Minute Rice and Salt, and stir until all rice becomes wet.
- Then cover saucepan with lid, and leave covered for 5 minutes, or until all water has been absorbed.
- After 5 minutes, remove lid, stir in your Cilantro and Lime Juice, and serve immediately! ENJOY!!
Notes
- How To Store: Cilantro lime rice leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. You can reheat the next day for some tasty lunch or dinner meal prep rice!
- FAQ’s: For answers to Frequently Asked Questions or tips for common substitutions and variations, please refer to the detailed information above this recipe card.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
I often make lime rice but never thought of adding cilantro. The rice looks so fabulous and I especially loved how cute the green pot cosying up the dish. Thanks Heidi. I loved the images.
Thank you so much for the sweet comment! I’m so glad you liked the pictures and dish. You’ll definitely need to try adding some fresh cilantro the next time you make lime rice… it adds such a great pop of flavor! 🙂