This Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice recipe is my favorite Chipotle copycat recipe to make at home and this rice cooker method will make it easier than ever!
Every time I make tacos, enchiladas, fajitas or burritos.. you can bet this chipotle copycat cilantro lime rice is cooking up in my rice cooker. It’s incredibly flavorful and adds such a fresh element to any dinner. And it can be done in the rice cooker in 30 minutes or less!
Cooking rice and other grains in the rice cooker is my absolute favorite dinner hack for one reason that shouldn’t be ignored. You can set it and walk away and come back to delicious fluffy rice every time. Any recipe that can cook itself is a recipe that should be added to that dinner rotation immediately.
What You’ll Need for This Chipotle Rice Copycat Recipe
Kitchen Essentials:
You’ll need a rice cooker for this recipe! You can, of course, do this on the stovetop but you’ll need to follow the water to rice ratio that is on the back of the package. Rice cookers require less water. I don’t have an instant pot but if you make this recipe you’ll need to do a 1:1 water to rice ratio.
Main Ingredients:
- Long Grain White Rice
- Water
- Lime Juice
- Cilantro
- Salt
Ingredient Breakdown:
- Long Grain White Rice: Shorter grain rice will be stickier than long grain rice so I suggest long grain jasmine rice or even basmati rice for this recipe.
- Water: How much water is used depends on a few things. Read below for more information and determine what is the right rice to water ratio is for you.
- Avocado Oil: Chipotle uses rice bran oil but I prefer avocado oil. This is optional. It simply helps the rice from sticking together. I don’t always find this necessary but sometimes I add it.
- Lime Juice: The star of the show but it is easy to go overboard with lime and it will be very overpowering to the rice. So, I suggest starting with half the amount, mixing it up well and then adding more if desired.
- Cilantro: The other star of the show. I absolutely love cilantro. I like to add the leaves and the stems but you can just add the leaves if desired.
Water to Rice Ratio:
Stovetop instructions are typically on the bag of rice and it is usually a 1 cup rice to 2 cup water ratio. But with this rice cooker method, you need less water! And for an instant pot, you need even less water.
Typically for an instant pot it’s a 1:1 ratio. Sometimes a rice cooker also follows this 1:1 method but longer grain rice typically requires a little more water.
For this recipe: I am using a rice cooker so I recommend 2 cups long grain rice to 2 1/2 cups of water.
What to Serve with Cilantro Lime Rice
- You MUST serve this with my recipe for Chipotle Copycat Black Beans. They are so good and go perfectly with this rice!
- Make my Vegan Chicken Seitan and toss in chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, maple syrup and seasonings like paprika, garlic and onion for a really tasty spicy protein.
- Make fajita veggies by sautéing onions, red bell peppers and green bell peppers.
- Salsa! I love making my own homemade fresh pico, guacamole and a dollop of sour cream (Tofutti makes a delicious vegan one!)
- Use in burritos, tacos, enchiladas and more.
More Chipotle Copycat Recipes:
FAQ:
How long does leftover cilantro lime rice last in the fridge?
Store in an airtight container for 3-5 days.
Can I freeze leftover rice?
Yes, I portioning it out in to serving sizes and freezing in a zip lock bag.
Can I use Brown Rice?
Yes, but brown rice requires more water and a longer cook time. Keep that in mind.
Does this taste exactly like Chipotle’s Cilantro Lime Rice?
Disclaimer: This was simply inspired by Chipotle and not an exact recipe but my copycat cilantro lime rice is an incredibly delicious and very flavorful way to make this recipe but at home and easier with my rice cooker method.
More Recipes You Might Like:
- Chipotle Tofu Fajita Burrito Bowl
- Crispy Cheesy Black Bean & Potato Tacos
- Roasted Vegetable & Black Bean Enchiladas
- Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Cheese Sauce
- The Best Chipotle Copycat Black Beans
If You Make This Recipe:
I would greatly appreciate if you share your review in the comments below and leave a star rating. Don’t forget to add if you made any fun substitutions. Thank you!
Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice (Rice Cooker Method!)
- Prep Time: 5m
- Cook Time: Roughly 25m
- Total Time: 30
- Yield: 6 Servings 1x
- Category: Sides
- Method: Rice Cooker
- Cuisine: Mexican Inspired
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Cilantro Lime Rice recipe is my favorite Chipotle copycat recipe to make at home! Every time I make tacos, enchiladas, fajitas or burritos.. you can bet this cilantro lime rice is cooking up in my rice cooker. It’s incredibly flavorful and adds such a fresh element to any dinner. And it can be done in the rice cooker in 30 minutes or less!
Ingredients
- 2 cups Long Grain White Rice
- 2 to 2 1/2 cups Water, see notes
- 1 tablespoon Avocado Oil, optional
- 1/4 cup Lime Juice, more or less to taste
- 1 teaspoon Salt, more or less to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 3/4 to 1 cup Chopped Cilantro
Instructions
- Add rice to a strainer and rinse until water runs clear.
- Pour the rinsed long grain white rice in to the rice cooker and add the water. The oil is optional but if you’re using it, add it before starting the rice cooker.
- Start the rice cooker.
- When the rice is done, stir in lime juice and salt. I recommend starting with half the amount above and then taste and adjust to your preference by adding more.
- Finely chop the cilantro and stir in until well combined. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Rice cookers require a different water to rice ratio than stovetop rice. If you typically use a 1:1 ratio in your rice cooker, do that. For longer grain rice, I prefer to add a little more water. I typically use 2 cups rice to 2 1/2 cups water. I recommend trying both at different times and seeing which your prefer. Read above for more information.
Keywords: Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice (Rice Cooker Method!), Rice Cooker Rice, Cilantro Lime Rice, Chipotle Copycat Cilantro Lime rice
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