Elevate your meal with this vibrant rice dish bursting with flavor. Perfectly prepared long grain rice, enhanced by zesty lime, aromatic garlic, and fresh cilantro, offers an irresistible twist. A subtle balance of tangy notes and delicate seasoning creates a memorable accompaniment, transforming any dinner into a delightful, refreshing feast.
I made this Instant Pot Chipotle’s Cilantro Lime Rice recipe because it’s an awesome, easy side dish that goes well with dinner. I started out with 2 cups long grain white rice that I rinsed real well to get rid of excess starch.
Then I combined it with 2 1/2 cups water (or you can use chicken broth for a richer flavor) in my Instant Pot. I added 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, the zest and juice of 1 lime, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to get that zesty, tangy kick.
For an extra burst of flavor, I mixed in 1 small garlic clove, minced, and once the rice was done, I folded in 1/2 cup of fresh chopped cilantro. This recipe isn’t just tasty its also a great energy booster with a solid carb kick, perfect to pair with any main meal.
It’s a neat copycat take on the classic Chipotle-style dish that I think you’ll really enjoy.
Why I Like this Recipe
I like this recipe because it just hits the spot every time. First, the lime juice and zest give it a bright, zesty flavor – it practically wakes up my taste buds and makes me feel like I’m eating something fresh. Second, it’s super easy to make and even if i mess up a step or two, it still turns out amazing, making it perfect for busy nights. Third, i really appreciate the option to use chicken broth instead of plain water because it adds a richer taste and gives me a chance to experiment a little with the flavors. Lastly, i love that this dish works well as a side for almost any meal – it’s versatile and never feels boring.
Ingredients
- Rice: Provides essential carbohydrates and energy, making every bite satisfying and hearty.
- Water or Chicken Broth: Enhances flavor and moisture, crucial for that perfect, light texture.
- Vegetable Oil: Lightens the rice while adding a subtle richness to every spoonful.
- Lime: Imparts tangy zest and juiciness, brightening the dish with a sour kick.
- Cilantro: Offers a fresh herbal note along with fiber, elevating aroma and taste.
- Garlic: Brings a mild spicy kick, deepening savor with each tiny clove.
- Salt: Balances all the flavors, enhancing the overall taste with a simple pinch.
- Together these ingredients create a flavorful, balanced dish that is simply irresistible.
- Each element plays a vital role, merging taste and texture perfectly.
Ingredient Quantities
- 2 cups long grain white rice, rinsed real well
- 2 1/2 cups water (or chicken broth if you want more flavor)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (you can use olive oil too)
- 1 lime, zested and juiced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (feel free to add more to taste)
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- 1 small garlic clove, minced (optional, but it adds a nice kick)
How to Make this
1. First, rinse the rice real well under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. Put the rice in your Instant Pot along with 2 1/2 cups water (or chicken broth if you prefer extra flavor), the vegetable oil, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
3. If you’re using garlic, add the minced clove now.
4. Stir everything just a bit so the rice is evenly distributed in the liquid, but try not to overmix it.
5. Seal your Instant Pot and set it to high pressure for 4 minutes; once done, let it naturally release pressure for about 10 minutes.
6. After the pressure is released, open up the pot carefully and fluff the rice with a fork.
7. Quickly mix in the lime zest, lime juice, and chopped cilantro while the rice is still warm so the flavors blend in nicely.
8. Taste it and adjust the salt if needed, then serve hot as a zesty side dish to your meal.
Equipment Needed
1. Instant Pot for cooking the rice
2. Fine mesh strainer for rinsing the rice really well
3. Measuring cups and spoons for water, oil, salt, and other ingredients
4. Mixing spoon to stir the rice and liquid together
5. Fork to fluff the rice after cooking
6. Knife and cutting board to mince the garlic and chop the cilantro
7. Citrus juicer or a small bowl to extract the lime juice (optional but helpful)
FAQ
IP Chipotle’s Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Instead of long grain white rice, you can use brown rice which adds a nuttier flavor but you might need a bit more water
- If you cant find water, try using chicken broth or even vegetable broth for a richer depth of taste
- You can swap out vegetable oil for olive oil or even a little butter if you want a creamier twist
- If you dont have fresh limes, lemon juice and zest works pretty well though its a bit different
- For fresh cilantro, try parsley if you’re just not a fan of cilantro’s strong flavor its a milder option
Pro Tips
1. Make sure to rinse the rice really well. I learned the hard way that skipping that step makes your rice go mushy and not as fluffy as it should be
2. If you’re after more flavor, try using chicken broth instead of water. It gives the dish a rich taste that really pops, plus it works great with the lime and cilantro
3. Don’t wait too long to mix in the lime juice and cilantro after cooking; stirring them in while the rice is still warm helps all the flavors blend together much better
4. Experiment a bit with garlic – even a small clove can lend a nice kick, but it’s totally up to you if you like that extra bit of zing in your dish
IP Chipotle's Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
Elevate your meal with this vibrant rice dish bursting with flavor. Perfectly prepared long grain rice, enhanced by zesty lime, aromatic garlic, and fresh cilantro, offers an irresistible twist. A subtle balance of tangy notes and delicate seasoning creates a memorable accompaniment, transforming any dinner into a delightful, refreshing feast.
6
servings
225
kcal
Equipment: 1. Instant Pot for cooking the rice
2. Fine mesh strainer for rinsing the rice really well
3. Measuring cups and spoons for water, oil, salt, and other ingredients
4. Mixing spoon to stir the rice and liquid together
5. Fork to fluff the rice after cooking
6. Knife and cutting board to mince the garlic and chop the cilantro
7. Citrus juicer or a small bowl to extract the lime juice (optional but helpful)
Ingredients
-
2 cups long grain white rice, rinsed real well
-
2 1/2 cups water (or chicken broth if you want more flavor)
-
1 tablespoon vegetable oil (you can use olive oil too)
-
1 lime, zested and juiced
-
1/2 teaspoon salt (feel free to add more to taste)
-
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
-
1 small garlic clove, minced (optional, but it adds a nice kick)
Directions
- First, rinse the rice real well under cold water until the water runs clear.
- Put the rice in your Instant Pot along with 2 1/2 cups water (or chicken broth if you prefer extra flavor), the vegetable oil, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- If you're using garlic, add the minced clove now.
- Stir everything just a bit so the rice is evenly distributed in the liquid, but try not to overmix it.
- Seal your Instant Pot and set it to high pressure for 4 minutes; once done, let it naturally release pressure for about 10 minutes.
- After the pressure is released, open up the pot carefully and fluff the rice with a fork.
- Quickly mix in the lime zest, lime juice, and chopped cilantro while the rice is still warm so the flavors blend in nicely.
- Taste it and adjust the salt if needed, then serve hot as a zesty side dish to your meal.
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 200g
- Total number of serves: 6
- Calories: 225kcal
- Fat: 2.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Polyunsaturated: 0.7g
- Monounsaturated: 0.6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 192mg
- Potassium: 150mg
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 4.5g
- Vitamin A: 100IU
- Vitamin C: 20mg
- Calcium: 10mg
- Iron: 1mg
