Cilantro lime rice is a simple recipe that blends zesty lemon lime juice, fresh cilantro, and long-grain rice. It’s the perfect side dish for any meal, especially carne asada or smoked chicken. Learn how to make our copycat version of Chipotle’s cilantro lime rice in the rice cooker for a fast and hands-free weeknight dinner.
What is cilantro lime rice?
Cilantro lime rice is a Mexican-inspired recipe that you might’ve seen from chains, like Chipotle. This cilantro lime rice recipe specifically aims to replicate Chipotle’s version and is an easy adaptation of our original cilantro lime rice in a pot post, utilizing a rice cooker.
Traditionally, you’ll find many classic Mexican rice dishes that include rice with various add-ins, like tomatoes, garlic, and onion. Cilantro lime rice is another variant that offers refreshing and bright bites of rice.
Ingredients in cilantro lime rice
Our copycat version of Chipotle’s cilantro lime rice comes in two sets of ingredients: one for cooking the rice and another for mixing after. You don’t want to add everything to the rice cooker before cooking, or you’ll lose some of the flavor.
The rice cooker ingredients are:
- Extra-long grain rice is the perfect texture for cilantro lime rice, and we prefer the Mahatma brand. We’ve tried other brands (like Lunderberg) of extra-long grain rice, and they don’t compare to the plump texture and affordable price. Internet sleuths will know that ex-Chipotle workers have said different locations may use different brands, but this is a similar rice variety. You can also use jasmine rice; however, it’s more fragrant than extra-long grain rice, and this can be undesirable.
- Dried bay leaves add an earthy aroma to the rice, but it’s definitely necessary. If you’re using fresh bay leaves, you’ll only need one.
- Water hydrates the rice and serves as a neutral base. You’ll also need water to help rinse off excess starch on the rice and any debris.
- Neutral oil helps the grains from sticking together. We like using avocado oil because there’s no flavor.
- Kosher salt is key, as it adds just the right amount of saltiness to the rice, balancing out the citrus and herbs. We use Diamond Crystal, so if you use sea salt or regular table salt, you will need to halve the amount.
After you have fluffy and aromatic rice, you’ll need to add the finishing touches:
- Freshly squeezed lemon and lime juice make this rice recipe complete. You’ll need both types of citrus to get the right zesty flavor. We don’t recommend bottled citrus because the flavor isn’t as potent and tends to be more tart than bright.
- Chopped cilantro is then mixed into the finished rice to add fresh herb flavor. We don’t skimp on cilantro in this recipe, but feel free to adjust the amount to your preferences.
Making ahead & storage
Make sure to eat rice leftovers within three days and always refrigerate them in an airtight container. When you want to reheat your rice, simply add a couple of drops of water, cover with a towel, and microwave until hot. The extra moisture helps to get soft rice grains. Here are more tips on how to reheat rice properly.
Cilantro Lime Rice in a Rice Cooker
Ingredients
- 2 c extra long grain rice Mahatma brand
- 10 oz water plus more for rinsing
- 1 tbsp neutral oil
- 1 tsp (3 g) kosher salt Diamond Crystal brand
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- ½ c chopped cilantro
Equipment Used
- Strainer
- knife and cutting board
- measuring cups and spoons or kitchen scale
- rice paddle or spatula
Instructions
- Rinse the 2 c extra long grain rice very thoroughly until the water runs clean.
- In the rice pot, add the 2 c extra long grain rice, 1 tbsp neutral oil, and 1 tsp kosher salt. Stir until thoroughly coated.
- Pour in the 10 oz water and add the 2 bay leaves. Level the top of the rice.
- Close the lid and cook the rice based on your rice cooker’s instructions. I use the long-grain or jasmine rice setting on my rice cooker and it takes about 58 minutes to cook.
- After the rice is finished cooking, open the lid and remove the bay leaves.
- Fluff the cooked rice with a paddle or spatula.
- Add in the 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp lime juice, and ½ c chopped cilantro.
- Gently mix to combine, then serve.
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