Cilantro Lime Rice (Easy Chipotle-Style Recipe)

A white bowl filled with fluffy white rice mixed with chopped cilantro, garnished with a lime wedge, sits on a white surface with fresh cilantro and a lime in the background.

Cilantro Lime Rice (Easy Chipotle-Style Recipe)

This cilantro lime rice cooks fluffy basmati rice with toasted garlic in broth and finishes with fresh lime juice and cilantro for a bright, flavorful side dish ready in 30 minutes.

Prep Time5

Cook Time25

Total Time30

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: cilantro, rice, rice dishes

Servings:

Calories: 210kcal

Author: alex

Equipment

Cooking pot

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup white basmati rice
2 garlic cloves minced
1 ¾ cups water or chicken broth
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice about 1 lime
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
½ teaspoon salt plus more to taste

Instructions

Rinse the rice

Place the rice in a fine mesh sieve and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well and set aside.

Sauté and toast

Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
Stir in the rice and salt, and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the rice is lightly toasted.

Simmer

Pour in the water or broth and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes (avoid lifting the lid).

Steam

Remove from heat and let the rice sit, covered, for 10 minutes to finish steaming.

Finish with flavor

Fluff the rice with a fork. Gently stir in the lime juice and chopped cilantro. Taste and adjust salt as needed.

Notes

Use broth for more flavor — especially if serving as a standalone side.
Don’t skip rinsing — this removes excess starch and keeps the rice fluffy.
Add lime at the end — cooking it dulls the fresh, bright flavor.
For a more pronounced citrus flavor, add lime zest along with the juice.

Nutrition