Homemade Chipotle Lime Rice is Easy to Make
You might not realize this, but Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice is made with lemon juice, too. Scandalous, right? I don’t really care what kind of juice they put in it. It’s perfect and my favorite accompaniment to the Copycat Chipotle Beef Barbacoa.
Unlike Cafe Rio cilantro lime rice, this version does not include sugar. At first, when I tasted it, I was missing that teeny hint of sweetness, but once I added the beef barbacoa, black beans, and pico de gallo, I realized it was exactly what Chipotle rice is supposed to taste like.
My kids are all big fans of rice. So if I want leftovers, I have to double this recipe otherwise the bowl is literally scraped clean. If you live with a normal-sized group of people or don’t have rice-crazed kids, you’re probably fine leaving this recipe as is.
More Recipes My Kids Devour
- Classic Meatloaf
- Corn Chowder
- Sticky Teriyaki Baked Chicken Thighs
- The Best Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese
- Classic Chicken Noodle Soup With Homemade Noodles
- Easy Ham Fried Rice
Step-by-step instructions for how to make copycat chipotle cilantro lime rice
Frequently Asked Questions about Making Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
Can I use brown rice?
Yes, but you will need to cook it longer according to the package directions for brown rice.
If I don’t have a lemon is it ok to use all lime juice?
Yes, but the lemon adds a little more subtleness to the acidic tone. Without it, you’ll definitely get a stronger lime taste.
What type of oil is best to use when cooking rice?
Canola, olive oil, or even butter work great. Using oil and butter helps keep the rice from clumping together.
Should you include the stems when chopping cilantro?
This is a personal preference. I feel like the stems can have a bit of a soapy taste. What I usually do is rip off a handful from the leafy part of the bunch. If there seems to be a lot of stems or thicker stems in my hand, I pull them out, but I don’t worry about getting every single leaf off of a stem.
I have also seen recipes that call for the cilantro stems to be tied together and boiled with the rice. This is actually a great way to give a subtle flavor of cilantro to rice as well.
If you hate cilantro, can you leave it out?
Of course! It will just be lime rice. 🙂
Is copycat chipotle cilantro lime rice gluten-free?
Yes, it is!
COOK’S TOOLS for Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice:
More Copycat Chipotle Recipes
- 2 cups white rice
- 4 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- In a 2-quart saucepan, sautee the rice in 2 tbsp of olive oil until some of the grains are turning a brighter white and some may even get a little browning on them--approximately 1-2 minutes.
- Add water, bay leaf, and salt.
- Bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes or until all of the water has reduced.
- When rice is done cooking, remove the lid and bay leaf. Add lime juice, lemon juice, cilantro, and the remaining 2 tbsp of olive oil into the rice and fluff with a fork.
- Serve and enjoy!
Other Cilantro Lime Recipes
Made this to go with sheet pan fajitas….. so yummy! I didn’t have any lemon juice so just went with the lime alone. My family loved it!! #JuneGiveaway
This was a great addition to a coconut lime chicken recipe I made for dinner. The recipe is super quick and easy and a hit at the table. Thanks!!!
Yum! It makes me hungry just thinking about eating this with coconut lime chicken. mmmmm!
OMG! This recipe is spot on! Thank you so much! We will make this delicious and easy rice again and again!
Right! Isn’t it so easy and just so good! I’m so glad you found the recipe. Thanks for coming and leaving a comment!
This recipe is so yummy! The flavors are spot on to chipotle’s Cilantro lime rice! The only thing I’m having trouble with is after the 15-20 minute simmer, the rice and water turn into sort of like a paste consistency. Any tips on how to keep it nice and fluffy like rice is supposed to be? 🫣
Thank you, I am so glad you like it! You could try adding a little extra oil or butter that should help the grains separate better.
Made this recipe tonight 3/24/2024 , my wife doesn’t like white rice , but she LOVED this recipe so much she already told 2 friends and our son.
Thank You for sharing.
Jim M
Thank you, Jim! Glad to hear she loved it!
Is this best served hot? I’m thinking of using it for a Buddha bowl lunch and I’d prefer it to be at room temperature.
I think it would still taste really good at room temperature. Pulling it cold from the fridge the next day may not be as tasty though.
Made it in rice cooker – halved the quantity and used just 1 1/2 cups of water.
Came out perfectly
Awesome! Love hearing that Susan!