This post may contain affiliate links (disclosure).
Calling all Chipotle lovers! You can now make a huge batch of cilantro-lime rice yourself without leaving your house :) It’s super easy, you’ll love it!
This amazing cilantro-lime rice is very versatile – you can eat it so many different ways! Use this rice for Mexican-theme nights in tacos and burritos, serve this rice as a side dish for chicken, meat or fish – the possibilities are endless as cilantro-lime rice goes well with anything :) You can also toss in some protein like chopped chicken, shrimp or beans and turn into intoa main dish! Another awesome way to use this cilantro lime rice is in a copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowlsalad – check it out, you’ll love it!
You can use any kind of rice for this recipe – white or brown. On the photos, I used brown rice as we are really trying tochoose brown rice instead of white for health reasons – brown is just so much more nutritious! And those people who don’t like brown rice usually end up loving it in a form ofcilantro lime brown rice :)
This recipe makes a big batch of 6-8 servings. We go though this rice really quickly inour house :) If this is too much cilantro-lime rice for you, just halve all the quantities. Or freeze the leftovers!
Cilantro-lime rice freezes pretty well. To freeze it, put cilantro-lime rice in a freezer ziploc bag, squeeze out all the air and freeze. Defrost in a refrigerator overnight, or in a microwave on a Defrost setting when in a hurry.
How To Make Cilantro Lime Rice
Step 1: Cook rice
You can use any type of rice (white or brown) and cook it any way you like – on a stove top according to package directions, in a microwave or in a rice cooker. The microwave method works for white rice only, if you never tried it, check it out here – how to cook rice in a microwave.
I always cook my rice in a rice cooker – it’s a completely hands off process, just put the rice and water in a rice cooker, press the Start button and walk away. Yes, I’m lazy like that :) Rice cooker is one of my most frequently used kitchen gadgets, and they are so cheap – you can get a great rice cooker for around $20!
If you never tried cooking brown rice in a rice cooker, or it never turned out well for you, you’ll like my article on how to make fluffy tasty brown rice in a rice cooker!
Step 2: Mix dressing and mince cilantro
While the rice is cooking, whisk the juice of 1 lime, minced garlic clove, 1 tsp olive oil and 1 tsp of salt in a cup. You will use this dressing, along with minced cilantro, to flavor the cilantro-lime rice!
To mince the cilantro, I always use my food processor – just throw the cilantro in a food processor bowl fitted with the steel blade, pulse for 30 seconds and you’ll get a perfect minced cilantro with virtually no effort!
Step 3:Season the rice with lime and cilantro
Drizzle the lime dressing and sprinkle minced cilantro over the rice. Using a fork, fluff the rice and mix everything thoroughly so the cilantro is evenly distributed. Taste the rice and add more salt and seasoning if needed. Enjoy your homemade Chipotle cilantro-lime rice!
Click Here To Pin This Recipe
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
Chipotle Cilantro-Lime Rice (White or Brown) Copycat Recipe
If you like Chipotle's cilantro-lime rice, you are going to love this recipe! It's super easy to make cilantro-lime rice yourself with white rice or brown rice - your choice! So easy, yummy and healthy!
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time35 minutes mins
Course: copycat, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 6 servings
Instructions
Cook rice according to package directions. You can use the stove top or a rice cooker (I always cook my rice in a rice cooker).
Put lime juice, garlic clove, olive oil and salt in a cup and whisk with a fork.
Drizzle the lime juice mixture over rice and put minced cilantro on top. With a fork, mix the rice thoroughly so the rice is fluffy and all the lime dressing and cilantro are evenly incorporated.
NEVER MISS A RECIPE!I publish a new recipe several times per week. Want the new recipes in your inbox? Sign up for FREE notifications!
Save This Recipe
Save this for later on your social media:
Get Melanie's FREE Recipes In Your Inbox!
You also need these yummy recipes in your life:
FAQs
Every morning in each of our restaurants, we make our cilantro-lime brown rice from scratch. We simmer the whole-grain rice with bay leaves to add savory flavors, then season it with lemon and lime juices and toss it with cilantro for a slightly tart, fresh taste.
What is the difference between Chipotle brown and white rice? ›
The brown rice contains less sodium and more fiber than the white rice. If you did choose the burrito or tacos, you might want to skip the rice (210 calories) altogether since you're getting your grains in your shell. That said, white rice can also be a healthy choice if that's what you prefer.
Is the white rice at Chipotle cilantro-lime? ›
Every morning, we make our cilantro-lime white rice from scratch in each of our restaurants. We steam it with bay leaves to impart their herbal fragrance, then season it with lime and lemon juices and toss it with cilantro for its fresh, slightly tart flavor.
Does Chipotle put milk in their rice? ›
We do not put milk in our rices. White rice is cooked with bay leaves on/in it, then after cooking we add cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Brown rice is very similar, it also is cooked with bay leaves on/in it, then receives cilantro, lime juice, and salt as well.
Does Chipotle put cilantro in brown rice? ›
Does Chipotle brown rice have cilantro in it? Yes the brown rice has cilantro. Both the white and brown rice are prepared with lime juice cilantro and salt. The brown rice get less salt than the white rice.
Which is healthier brown or white rice at Chipotle? ›
How to order a healthy meal at Chipotle. Chipotle offers more vegetables and whole grains than typical fast-casual joints, but like other restaurant fare, it can be high in sodium and saturated fat. Take advantage of their customizable menu by using these tips: Opt for whole grain brown rice over white rice.
Does Chipotle use oil in their rice? ›
After the rice is cooked, it's tossed in the smallest amount of olive oil to keep the grains separated (according to their website, Chipotle uses rice bran oil, although it's much more likely you have olive oil in your pantry). There's also the balance that's found in tossing the rice in both lime and lemon juice.
Which is healthier brown or white rice? ›
The bottom line. Brown rice is a more nutrient-dense product than white rice. Because of this, brown rice may help reduce blood sugar levels and aid in managing weight. But white rice is good for people with certain digestive issues and those who can't digest fiber-rich foods well.
What oil does Chipotle use? ›
Rice bran oil is our primary cooking oil at Chipotle.
How much water do I need for 1 cup of rice? ›
For tender grains of rice that easily separate, such as in a pilaf, use 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of rice. You can also use another liquid like stock in this 2:1 ratio. For slightly chewier, fluffy white rice, use 1 1/2 cups of water for every cup of rice, or a 1.5:1 ratio.
Your choice of meat or sofritas served with our fresh supergreens lettuce blend made of Romaine, Baby Kale, and Baby Spinach.
Does Chipotle put butter in their rice? ›
Chipotle's rice contains long-grain rice, bay leaves, and cilantro. The beans are made from pinto beans, water, onion, canola oil, salt, and spices, including cumin and garlic. The rice and beans do not contain dairy ingredients, so they are considered to be dairy-free.
Does Chipotle put sugar in their rice? ›
In short the answer is no. Unlike salt, we don't have a dedicated sugar supply that we use to add to our foods. In fact, none of the food on our menu has added sugar. The only thing we have that has any amount of sugar is the vinaigrette which has honey.
Can I just order rice from Chipotle? ›
Yes, you can order just rice at Chipotle if that's what you prefer. Chipotle offers a "Build Your Own" style of ordering, allowing you to customize your meal. When you approach the serving line, you can simply request a bowl or a container of rice without any additional toppings or ingredients.
Is Chipotle's brown rice healthy? ›
Quality carbs, including brown rice, black and pinto beans, and corn salsa, are easy to come by at Chipotle, but adding each of them to your bowl could put you on the other side of light. Don't get weighed down with starchy carbs. Instead, choose a half portion of brown rice, or skip it in favor of extra veggies.
Does chipotle brown rice taste different? ›
Chipotle brown rice is a variation of traditional brown rice that is flavored with chipotle peppers, giving it a smoky and slightly spicy flavor. It adds a unique twist to the nutty taste of brown rice.
What are the choices of rice at Chipotle? ›
Chipotle offers white or brown rice.
How to cook Thai jasmine brown rice? ›
Microwave: Take 1 cup of ROYAL® Brown Jasmine Rice and after soaking, drain the rice and add 2½ cups of fresh water. Cook in a microwave-safe bowl on medium for 20-25 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. If rice is too hard in the first cooking, use more water.
