My homemade Cilantro Lime Rice tastes just like Chipotle! My recipe uses one pan and only a handful of ingredients: basmati rice, chicken broth, fresh lime juice and zest, and cilantro. I typically use a rice maker when I make rice at home, but this recipe is done on the stovetop, and it's so easy!
About This Recipe
I tested this recipe multiple times to get the perfect balance of fluffy rice and fresh lime flavor. I know cooking rice from scratch can be intimidating, but this recipe is quite fail-proof.
My wife and I get Chipotle at the mall near us pretty regularly, and the cilantro lime rice is one of the things I look forward to most, and I had to figure out what makes it so good! I fine-tuned everything from the water-to-rice ratio to how long to cook the rice. And in my opinion, this rice recipe turns out perfect every single time.
I found that chicken broth gives the rice a really nice savory flavor. If you don't have chicken broth, you can easily swap in vegetable broth or plain water for a vegetarian version! Once you have the rice, you can eat it with grilled protein, in a burrito, or just plain by itself! When I was a kid, one of my favorite dishes was just plain rice with soy sauce. This actually would have been way tastier.
Key Ingredients
Olive oil: I use olive oil because I like the flavor it adds. That said, you can use any cooking oil you have. The only oil I would avoid is coconut oil since its flavor is pretty strong.
Long-grain rice: Use any long-grain white rice you have. I like it with jasmine rice or basmati rice the best.
Chicken broth: Chicken broth gives the rice a savory flavor, but you can use water or vegetable broth if you prefer.
Salt: WARNING: If your chicken broth is salty, you can probably skip adding salt. Otherwise, add just a tiny bit to make the flavors pop.
Lime: Fresh lime juice is a must here to give the rice a bright and fresh flavor.
Cilantro: Fresh cilantro leaves add a citrusy flavor that brings the rice to life. If you don't like cilantro, you could probably substitute it with parsley, but I think cilantro is a must (it's in the name after all)
Instructions
STEP 1: Heat the oil in a large skillet (nonstick works the best) over medium-high heat. Add the rice and saute for 1 minute until lightly toasted.
STEP 2: Add the chicken broth and salt. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and cook for 12 minutes until the water level goes below the rice.
STEP 3: Turn off the heat, and leave the rice COVERED for another 5-10 minutes until tender and fluffy. If there is still a lot of broth at the bottom, you can increase the heat and let it simmer off gently.
STEP 4: Add the lime juice, lime zest, and chopped cilantro. Gently stir everything together and serve immediately.
Better Than Chipotle's Cilantro Lime Rice
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup long-grain rice (I use basmati)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or water)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 small lime (juiced and zested; about 2 tablespoon of juice)
- 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet (nonstick works the best) over medium-high heat. Add the rice and saute for 1 minute until lightly toasted.
- Add the chicken broth and salt (if your chicken broth is salty, you can skip the sauce). Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and cook for 12 minutes until the water level goes below the rice.
- Turn off the heat, and leave the rice covered for another 5-10 minutes until tender and fluffy. If there is still broth at the bottom, increase the heat and cook uncovered until mostly dry.
- Add the lime juice, lime zest, and chopped cilantro. Gently stir everything together and serve immediately.
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