This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Cilantro lime rice tastes just like Cafe Rio and Chipotle rice! It’s simple and delicious, perfect for a salad, burrito, or taco.
This copycat recipe is simple and takes just a few minutes to prep. Cilantro lime rice is great to make and serve in Burritos or to use as a side dish for any Mexican meal, like Chimichangas, Enchiladas, or Carne Asada.
Just Like Chipotle and Cafe Rio!
In the past, I’ve shared a recipe for Cafe Rio Shredded Chicken. It obviously comes from one of our favorite restaurants, Cafe Rio, and is such a delicious chicken recipe perfect for burritos, chimichangas, and tacos.
Cilantro lime rice is from two favorite restaurants (Cafe Rio and Chipotle). I had never had this kind of rice before going to either of these food chains, but it’s definitely a favorite.
We’ve always had our standard red Homemade Spanish Rice Recipe, but it has a really unique flavor that we love and is so easy to make too.
We like to make it when we have a burrito bar for dinner to add to our rolled creations, but the kids like to eat it as is with their Chicken Fajitas and quesadillas. It really is a great side dish and is perfect for all your Mexican meals.
Make a Burrito Bar
If you’re like us and want to use it for a burrito bar, just cook up:
- Flour Tortillas
- Meats. The chicken recipe is HERE and the sweet pork recipe is HERE.
- Fixings. Sour cream, guacamole, fresh cilantro, onion, cheese, and Cafe Rio’s Cilantro Ranch Dressing.
It will seriously become a new family favorite meal!
How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice
The thing I love about making this cilantro lime rice recipe is that it’s pretty quick (30 minutes tops), and it’s low maintenance. You don’t have to sit and stir it, you just have to pop a lid on it and let it simmer! This recipe just has 3 easy steps.
COMBINE. Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
COOK. Cover, lower the heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20–25 minutes, until rice is cooked.
SERVE. Fluff and serve warm.
Fresh limes. You only need one lime to squeeze out 1 tablespoon of lime juice. For even more lime flavor add some lime zest.
Best Rice to Use
You can use your favorite kind of rice for this chipotle rice recipe! Here are some suggestions:
- Basmati rice
- Extra long-grain rice (white)
- Jasmine rice
- Brown basmati rice
- Long-grain brown rice
Can you use brown rice? Yes, you can. Brown rice isn’t as absorbent as white rice and will work in this recipe. Just note that you may need to cook it for an additional 5-10 minutes.
Storage Tips
STORE. Leftover cooked copycat chipotle rice can last 3-4 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
FREEZE. Once the rice has been cooked completely, let it cool to room temperature. Divide the rice into how many servings you want and put them into freezer-safe bags with a seal. Freeze for up to 3 months.
To reheat. Thaw first if applicable. Transfer to a microwave-safe container and warm it up for 4-6 minutes in the microwave. Do the same with leftover easy cilantro lime rice kept in the fridge.
Serving Suggestions
As we mentioned, we love serving this recipe whenever we are making burrito bowls or salads. Here are some of our favorite dishes to serve it with:
- Chicken Enchiladas
- Chicken Tacos
- Green Chili Burritos
- Chicken Burrito Bowl
- Sweet Pork Barbacoa
- Cafe Rio Cilantro Ranch Dressing
- Flautas
Recipe FAQ
Rinsing the rice prior to cooking can help remove excess starch as well as any dust and other unwanted particles. By removing the extra starch the rice will be less sticky and more fluffy.
I recommend using any long-grain rice including basmati, jasmine, white rice, or brown rice. Note that if you use brown rice, you will need to cook it for a few minutes longer.
The main reason that cooked rice is gummy is that it has absorbed too much liquid. Be careful to keep the liquid-to-rice ratio balanced. For more lime flavor add lime zest and not lime juice.
For More Rice Recipes, Check Out:
- Lemon Rice
- Homemade Spanish Rice Recipe
- Homemade Fried Rice
- Sour Cream Rice
- Cheesy Chicken and Rice Bake
- Coconut Rice
Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles
- 1 bunch cilantro chopped
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- garlic salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Cover, lower the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20–25 minutes, until rice is cooked.
- Fluff and serve warm.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Adapted from Sweet Basil.
I love how easy this recipe is! I think this rice would be perfect for a chipotle copycat bowl or burrito. I think it would be amazing inside of the homemade burrito in general. I didn’t have diced green chilies so I used a half can of Rotel, and only about a half of the Cilantro it called for but it was still really good. I am looking to try this recipe again, and I bet it’s even better with all the ingredients.
This is one of our favorite rice recipes, for sure! So glad you enjoyed it and it tasted good with the substitutions you made. You’ll definitely have to try it again with all the ingredients and let us know what you think.
So easy and delicious!!! My husband said this was his new favorite 😍
Yay!! So happy to hear that!
Love this recipe. So easy! And a nice change up from basic plain rice.
We made some this week! My family loves this rice & it goes great with so many dishes!
Thanks a lot for this super tasty cilantro lime rice! Very easy to make and fam really loves it. I am so in love with it’s smell and taste!
I make this rice all the time. It pairs so well with so many meals. We usually make it in the Instant Pot! Turns out perfect every single time!
Oh yes this tastes exactly like the restaurant version! So yummy and love that I can control the sodium. Thanks for the perfect cilantro lime rice!
Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed the rice. Thanks for sharing!
Just made this for a Tex Mex night with the roommates. They smashed it! Solid recipe. I used Basmati rice–holds the flavor, not starchy or gummy at all. Will make again! Thanks.
You’re welcome! I’m glad the rice was a hit!
I am making this for a party, how would you cook this recipe in an instant pot? Thank You.
I haven’t tried it in the instant pot yet, but you could try doing this: Add all ingredients to IP. Lock the lid in place and push the “Rice” button on the Instant Pot. When the Instant Pot beeps, let it sit for 5 more minutes. After the 5 minutes, using a hot pad, quick release the pressure by turning the steam release valve to vent. Let all of the steam out and carefully remove the lid. Fluff and serve warm. You’ll have to let us know how it turns out in the Instant Pot!
Made it in the IP, but I think next time I’d add another 1/2 – 1 C of rice. As written, the recipe made the rice a little mushy. Still very yummy!!
Best rice ever!! Absolutely love the green chiles in it. Thank you for the great recipe!
Love this rice! So easy and delicious!