Cilantro Lime Rice (Better Than Chipotle)
Fluffy cilantro lime rice with fresh lime zest and juice folded in after cooking so it stays bright. A 35-minute side for tacos and burrito bowls.
14% of it needs you at the counter
- Hands-on
- 5 min
- Cooking
- 20 min
- Resting
- 10 min
- Serves
- 4
- Calories
- 200
- Protein
- 3 g
- Per serving
- $0.32
Why this recipe works
Burrito-bowl rice is simple, which is exactly why small details decide whether it tastes vivid or flat. The zest carries most of the lime aroma, so don't skip it.
Make a double batch: it reheats well and turns leftovers into quick bowls all week.
- A bay leaf in the cooking water gives the gentle herbal background that makes the restaurant version taste like more than plain rice.
- The lime juice and cilantro go in after the rice rests, so the lime stays fresh and the cilantro stays green instead of turning dull.
- Rinsed rice and a 1 to 1¾ water ratio give separate, fluffy grains that hold up in a burrito.
Ingredients
You will need
- 2-quart saucepan with a tight-fitting lid
- Microplane or fine grater
Method
Tap a step number to mark it done.
Toast the rice
Heat the oil in the saucepan over medium heat. Add the drained rice and stir until the grains are glossy and smell lightly toasted.
Boil
Add the water, salt and bay leaf and bring to a boil.
Simmer covered
Cover tightly, turn the heat to low and simmer without lifting the lid until the water is absorbed.
Rest
Take the pan off the heat and let it steam, still covered.
Add lime and cilantro
Remove the bay leaf. Add the zest, lime juice and cilantro and fold gently with a fork until evenly mixed. Taste and add a pinch more salt or lime if needed.
Cook's notes
- Zest the lime before you juice it. Zesting a squeezed lime is much harder.
- Chop the cilantro just before folding it in; chopped cilantro darkens within an hour.
- For brown rice, use 2 cups water and simmer about 40 minutes before resting.
Nutrition per serving
200 calories
$0.32 estimated cost per serving
Where the calories come from
| Protein | 6% of calories | 3 g |
|---|---|---|
| Carbs | 76% of calories | 38 g |
| Fat | 18% of calories | 4 g |
| Fiber | 1 g | |
| Sodium | 220 mg |
Calculated from USDA FoodData Central values for the listed ingredients and amounts; not lab-tested. Cost estimated from average US retail prices.
Questions people ask
How does Chipotle make cilantro lime rice?
It's long-grain rice cooked with a bay leaf, then tossed with oil, salt, lime juice and chopped cilantro. This version adds lime zest for a stronger lime flavor.
Why add the lime juice after cooking?
Cooking lime juice dulls its fresh flavor and can make it taste bitter. Folding it into the rested rice keeps it bright.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Refrigerate it for up to 4 days and reheat with a splash of water, covered. Add a squeeze of fresh lime and a little more cilantro before serving.
