Cilantro Lime Rice
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Cilantro Lime Rice is a flavorful twist to Mexican Rice or plain white rice. Perfectly steamed long grain white rice is toasted first and cooked in an herb and stock blend with lime juice and zest added after steaming. I have a few tricks that keep this different from the many Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice copycat recipes out there.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice
For this Mexican rice dish I use a white long grain rice, and instead of water, give it an extra flavor boost from chicken stock blended with the cilantro.
A tip I’ll share with you is to rinse the rice to remove all starch, it tends to make the rice clumpy, and we want light and fluffy.
The rice is toasted in butter with the chopped onion and garlic for a pilaf style instead of just being steamed.
For the rice to completely absorb the chicken stock and get fluffy, I lay a kitchen towel over the saucepan and put the lid back on top after it’s steamed, too.
I see a lot of copycat recipes out there for the Chipotle restaurant chain’s version, and their cilantro lime rice copycat recipes usually are steamed white rice tossed with chopped cilantro and lime juice squeezed on top at the end.
This Cilantro Lime Rice recipe holds true to many authentic Mexican and Tex Mex restaurants, NOT the restaurant Chipotle’s Cilantro Lime Rice versions.
Why this recipe works
- I rinse the white rice to remove starches that keep the rice from being fluffy
- Blend the cilantro with the chicken stock in lieu of plain water to cook the rice in
- Let it sit for 10 minutes with a kitchen towel under the lid after it’s been cooked (see above photo)
- Remove lid, add the lime juice and zest after it’s been steamed, and fluff before serving
The result is a wonderfully fluffy and flavorful Mexican rice dish. For another wonderful, flavored rice dish, try my Green Rice (Arroz Verde), made using chiles.
Perfect served with any Mexican meal like Carne Adovada or Ground Beef Enchiladas alongside with Mexican Pickled Carrots and Authentic Refried Beans.
Finish the meal with sweet apple empanadas or churros. Enjoy!
Share this recipe on Pinterest!
Love this recipe? Share it with the world on Pinterest.
Subscribe to my Newsletter, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube for all my latest recipes and videos.
Cilantro Lime Rice
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice
- 2 1/4 cup chicken stock
- 2 cups cilantro leaves
- 2 limes 3 tbsp juice, zest from one lime
Instructions
- Over medium heat in a medium saucepan melt the butter and sauté the onion for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook another minute. Season with salt and pepper.
- Rinse the rice until water runs clear to remove starch. Shake excess water out and add rice to saucepan with onion and garlic. Toast for 3-4 minutes.
- In a blender add chicken stock and all but 2 tablespoons of the cilantro leaves. Blitz for 30 seconds and add to toasted rice. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil, cover with lid, lower heat to simmer and steam for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and place kitchen towel under lid and allow to rest at least 10 minutes.
- Remove lid and towel, add lime juice and half the zest. Fluff rice with a fork and serve with remaining 2 tablespoons cilantro and lime zest on top.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I have made this several times and it is always a hit! I look like a rock star…thanks Kevin!
Music to my ears! Thanks so much for taking the time to come back and let me know Deborah!
Hi Kevin,
I’ve made your rice twice. A little tip it comes out better in a skillet than a sauce pan. I usually make Spanish or Mexican rice in a skillet. Using the saucepan it comes out too wet. Otherwise the flavor is spot on.
I am glad the flavor is there for you! Thank you for the tip!
Soooo, when are you going to do a video on this recipe?
I just put it on my list. 🙂
Drooling! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Karly! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
very nice thank you for shearing keep it up.
Thanks so much Megha!
This rice looks perfectly fluffy, Kevin! I love all your tips and tricks too! A must try recipe for sure!!
I even used some leftover in a light chicken broth soup. Added just the right touch. 🙂 Thanks Chey.
We have tacos often and this flavourful rice would be an awesome side to go with! Love cilantro!
Thanks Dawn! Happy Easter, too by the way. Also, I just finished Wentworth! 🙂
This Cilantro Lime Rice looks simply spectacular, Kevin! The perfect side for so many mains and, honestly, I could make a meal of just this!
Agreed! This is good stuff Marissa. I could live on rice, potatoes and pasta. #carblover