Better Than Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice (Fluffy, Quick & Easy)
Make restaurant-quality cilantro lime rice at home. This easy recipe delivers bright, zesty flavor and a perfectly fluffy texture, ideal for burrito bowls or taco night sides.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican Inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (Jasmine or Basmati recommended)
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or neutral cooking oil
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 1/2 cup packed fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Instructions
- Rinse the rice under cold water in a fine-mesh sieve until the water runs clear. Drain well.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, 2 cups of water, vegetable oil, and salt.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the saucepan tightly with a lid, and simmer for 15 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it stand, covered, for an additional 10 minutes. This step is key for fluffy rice.
- Remove the lid. Fluff the rice gently with a fork.
- Pour the fresh lime juice over the hot rice and sprinkle with the chopped fresh cilantro.
- Gently fold the lime juice and cilantro into the rice until evenly distributed. Serve immediately as a perfect burrito bowl base.
Notes
- For a brighter flavor, use the zest of one lime along with the juice.
- If you prefer a slightly softer texture, substitute chicken broth for the water when cooking the rice.
- This recipe is naturally gluten free and vegetarian.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0.5
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 2
- Saturated Fat: 0.3
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.7
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 37
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 0