Easy Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe (Rice Cooker): Better Than Chipotle

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“White or Brown Rice?”

This is the first important question you’ll be asked while walking through the line of ingredients at Chipotle Mexican Grill.

Their fluffy rice is loved by all, including the little ones. They swoon over this stuff! Quite frankly, I do too!

This recipe creates those same flavors you’ll find at Chipotle’s and you wouldn’t believe how simple it is to achieve it!

And hey, there are some hidden greens in there for the picky ones who seem to always turn a blind eye when it comes to this delicious dish.

Today, I will cover both versions of Chipotle’s cilantro lime rice recipe using your rice cooker, stovetop, and Instant Pot method. 

Ingredient Profile

You will be amazed at the simple ingredients needed to create this easy cilantro lime rice recipe.

You most likely already have them sitting in your pantry, take a look at the highlights of a few key ingredients to get a better understanding of this copycat Chipotle cilantro lime rice recipe.

The cool thing is that we can achieve the same flavors as Chipotle by using the same ingredients they use in the recipe listed on their website. But shhhhh… I didn’t tell you that!

Long-Grain Rice

Mexican rice is traditionally made with a long-grain type of rice such as plain white rice.

There are different kinds of rice you can use like basmati rice or whole grain rice that both offer a rich nutty flavor to this copycat version.

Jasmine rice is also a great option, this kind of rice will add floral notes to your dish.

The main difference between long-grain white rice and short-grain white rice or sushi type of rice is the amount of water needed to cook it.

Sushi rice contains excess starch which makes it sticky compared to plain rice and is typically enjoyed in Asian-type dishes.

However, if this is the only type of rice that you have available, give this recipe a whirl using it and let me know in a comment down below how it turned out!

Rice Bran Oil

Rice bran oil is used in the original Chipotle cilantro lime rice recipe however it is not commonly found in most people’s pantries.

It certainly isn’t found in mine, so I have been experimenting with different types of oils in this dish including butter.

They all create amazing flavorful rice so this swap makes the perfect copycat recipe.

Avocado Oil or Olive Oil

Avocado Oil is a great substitute for rice bran oil which is mostly used by Chipotle as stated on their website.

These oils have very similar qualities such as high smoke points and mild flavor.

This makes them well-rounded oils suited for grilling meats and vegetables on high heat to no heat in making a vinaigrette.

Their mild flavors allow the other ingredients to shine. Olive oil is one of the healthiest oils available to mankind and has been around for millennia. It is another great substitution.

Cooking your rice in the rice cooker or even on the stove does not require high heat making olive oil a good option.

This oil adds the perfect light flavor, you won’t notice much of a difference when using it in place of rice bran oil.

If you don’t have any of these options, feel free to use the oil you have on hand!

Heavenly Heavy Cream Butter

This fat substitution is not a good option for plant-based or vegan diets. But boy oh boy is it a great one for everyone else!

Heavy cream butter is the most delectable substitution for this Chipotle cilantro lime rice recipe.

I’ve been reaching for this option most times now, my children go wild for it! I recommend using butter that has only one ingredient (cream/heavy cream) or two if you include salt.

Fresh Cilantro

Cilantro, also known as coriander, has been used since ancient times in cooking and for medicinal purposes because it is rich with antioxidants, and contains many more health benefits.

Cilantro is one of the main ingredients in this dish that makes it shine, however, if you do not like cilantro and think it tastes like soap, you can completely omit this ingredient!

That’s the beauty of from-scratch cooking, you can tailor the recipes to what works best for you and your family 🙂

If you’re feeling brave and want to give it a chance, try removing the cilantro stems and only use the leaves in small quantities.

Cilantro stems pack a zesty fresh punch so you can create a more mild flavor by cutting them out.

If you’re a cilantro lover like me, be sure to include the stems, because they not only contain all of the flavor, they also provide lots of nutrients and health benefits!

To Soak or Not to Soak Brown Rice

If you choose to make Chioptle’s cilantro-lime rice with brown rice, this section is for you, especially those interested in gaining the most nutrition out of your food.

Brown rice contains the most nutrients than any other grain. It is high in B vitamins, iron, vitamin E, and some protein.

According to Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon, pg 466-467, brown rice is relatively low in phytic acid (locks in nutrients) so it doesn’t require a long overnight soak before preparation.

You can steam brown rice in a mineral-rich broth to neutralize most of the phytic acid content and unlock those amazing nutrients, this no-soak method does require a longer cook time.

Another alternative is to soak your brown rice in warm water mixed with 2 tablespoons of whey, yogurt, kefir, or buttermilk.

You can substitute lemon juice or vinegar in place of cultured dairy, which would make perfect sense in this recipe! Soak for at least 7 hours and then continue with the cooking process. 

Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe

This easy recipe will focus on cooking the cilantro lime rice in your rice cooker, however, I will offer a couple of variations for this recipe below for a stove-top version and using your Instant Pot/pressure cooker.

I’ve tried all the ways to make it and they all result in the perfect fluffy rice!

Ingredients

• 1 cup of Rice (Long Grain Rice White or Brown)
• 2 cups of water
• 1 Bay Leaf
• 1 tbsp Butter (optional, omit if vegan)
• 1-2 tbsp of Avocado Oil or Olive Oil
• 1/2 tsp of salt
• 1 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
• 1 tbsp Fresh Lime Juice
• 1/3 Bunch of Fresh Cilantro (Including stems, finely chopped)

Instructions

Rice Cooker Cilantro Lime Rice:

1. Add rinsed rice to the rice cooker along with water, bay leaf, avocado oil, salt, and lemon juice. Select white or brown rice if that is an option and set it to cook.

2. Once cooking time is over, let sit for 10 mins, do not remove the lid!

3. After 10 mins, remove the bay leaf (important), and gently fluff with a fork, while adding butter (optional), lime juice, and finely chopped cilantro. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Variations

Stovetop Cilantro Lime Rice:

1. In a medium pot, add avocado oil, and rice. Saute with a wooden spoon on medium heat until rice turns golden brown. Most importantly, stir the rice continuously, do not leave it unattended. 

2. Add water, bay leaf, avocado oil, salt, and lemon juice, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat to a simmer, cover and simmer for:

Long-Grain White Rice: 15 mins if doubling the recipe, cook for 20 minutes

Long-Grain Brown Rice: 30-45mins, soaked: 20mins

2. Once cooking time is over, let sit off of heat for 10 mins, do not remove the lid!

3. After 10 mins, remove the bay leaf (important), and gently fluff with a fork, while adding butter (optional), lime juice, and finely chopped cilantro. Serve and enjoy!

Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice:

1. Add rinsed rice to the Instant Pot or pressure cooker along with water, bay leaf, avocado oil, salt, and lemon juice. Secure the lid and set the valve to seal.

2. Pressure cook on high pressure for:

Long-Grain White Rice: 3 mins

Long-Grain Brown Rice: 20-22 mins, soaked: 4 mins

3. Let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes, then you can quickly release the pressure or let it continue to release naturally.

4. After all the pressure is released, remove the bay leaf (important), and gently fluff with a fork, while adding butter (optional), lime juice, and finely chopped cilantro. Serve and enjoy! 

Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe Tips

• Chipotle Cilantro Brown Rice is the perfect side dish for your burrito bowls, taco Tuesday, meal prep, rice bowl, or any Mexican dishes.
• The best part is you never have to leave your home to enjoy these zesty and buttery flavors from Chipotle’s original recipe. 
• Also don’t forget to top your cilantro lime rice with my delicious and nutritious Pico de Gallo recipe with a cauliflower crunch! 
• Store leftover rice in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. 
• Reheating tip: add a few sprinkles of water before reheating in the microwave.

Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about Chipotle’s original recipe.

What kind of rice is used at Chipotle?

Chipotle uses long-grain white rice or long-grain brown rice. 

Does Chipotle put butter in their rice?

No, they do not put butter in their rice recipe, it is vegan-friendly and uses rice bran oil. You can find this information along with a list of their ingredients on their official website.

Does Chipotle put oil on their rice?

Yes, chipotle uses rice bran oil in their cilantro lime rice recipe. You can find this information along with a list of their ingredients on their official website.

Does Chipotle put sugar in their rice?

No, Chipotle does not add sugar to their cilantro lime rice recipe. You can find this information along with a list of their ingredients on their official website.

Conclusion

Add cilantro lime rice to your list of easy recipes, and enjoy this buttery and simple side dish for many meals to come!

If you’re feeling like making it extra healthy, don’t forget to check out the notes on soaking brown rice.