Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice (Copycat)
A copycat version of Chipotle's cilantro lime rice—fluffy long-grain rice tossed with cilantro, lime, and lemon juices.
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 cupsbasmati riceunrinsed or any long-grain white rice, rinsed (see note 1)
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt
- 1 teaspoonolive oilorrice bran oil optional
- 2 tablespoonsminced fresh cilantro or omit or substitute parsley
- 2 tablespoonslime juice
- 2 tablespoonslemon juice
Instructions
Instructions
- Prepare the rice: if using the basmati called for in the ingredient list, do not rinse; if using any other long‑grain white rice, rinse under cold running water until the water runs clear and drain.
- Boil-and-drain stovetop method (quick): bring 8 cups water to a boil in a large pot. Add the rice, bay leaf, optional oil, and salt to taste. Stir, return to a boil, and cook uncovered for 10–12 minutes, watching so the rice does not become mushy. Remove from heat, discard the bay leaf, drain the rice in a fine‑mesh strainer, rinse with hot water, and transfer the rice to a large bowl.
- Absorption stovetop method (no draining): bring 4 cups water to a boil in a large pot. Add the rice, bay leaf, optional oil, and salt to taste. Stir, return to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes (or until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender). Remove from heat, discard the bay leaf, and transfer the rice to a large bowl; fluff with a fork.
- Rice cooker method: add the rice (rinsed if using non‑basmati long‑grain), water according to the rice cooker manufacturer’s instructions, bay leaf, optional oil, and salt to taste. Close the cooker and cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions. When the rice is done, remove the bay leaf and transfer the rice to a large bowl.
- Stir in the minced cilantro, lime juice, and lemon juice until evenly combined. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
- Serve the rice hot or at room temperature.
Equipment
- Rice cooker(optional
- I own and recommend theAroma Housewares Rice Cooker)
Notes
Long-grain rice (not Basmati):If using a long-grain rice other than Basmati, I recommend rinsing it before cooking it to remove excess starch. To rinse the rice, place it in a fine-mesh sieve under cool water and rinse until the water runs clear. Drain well before adding the rice to the pot or rice cooker. Or, soak the rice in a large bowl of water for up to 30 minutes to help remove starch while conserving water.
When using a rice cooker,it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for rice and water portions. Many rice cookers come with a specific “measuring cup” that may not be equivalent to a standard 8-oz. cup. They will also specify exactly how much water to use in relation to their measuring cup for best results. Those instructions supersede my quantities of rice and water here, but the other ingredients should remain the same (subject to your own taste preference, of course). If you’re looking to buy a rice cooker, I use and recommend theAroma Housewares Rice Cooker, which you can buy fromAmazon.
Yield:1 cup uncooked white rice makes 3 cups cooked white rice. 1 cup uncooked brown rice makes 4 cups cooked brown rice. This recipe will make about 6 cups. Cilantro-Lime Rice, enough for 12 (1/2-cup) servings. That means it’s great for plenty ofburrito bowlsandmeal prep!
Storage:Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezer:Rice is one of the easiest things to freeze. I love to pack it into 2-cup portions (in plastic bags). Label, date, and lay flat in the freezer. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw as needed or add to soups or stir-fries straight from the freezer.
When using a rice cooker,it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for rice and water portions. Many rice cookers come with a specific “measuring cup” that may not be equivalent to a standard 8-oz. cup. They will also specify exactly how much water to use in relation to their measuring cup for best results. Those instructions supersede my quantities of rice and water here, but the other ingredients should remain the same (subject to your own taste preference, of course). If you’re looking to buy a rice cooker, I use and recommend theAroma Housewares Rice Cooker, which you can buy fromAmazon.
Yield:1 cup uncooked white rice makes 3 cups cooked white rice. 1 cup uncooked brown rice makes 4 cups cooked brown rice. This recipe will make about 6 cups. Cilantro-Lime Rice, enough for 12 (1/2-cup) servings. That means it’s great for plenty ofburrito bowlsandmeal prep!
Storage:Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezer:Rice is one of the easiest things to freeze. I love to pack it into 2-cup portions (in plastic bags). Label, date, and lay flat in the freezer. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw as needed or add to soups or stir-fries straight from the freezer.