Anybody remember those Chipotle funs back in college!? We have been dreaming about those epic burrito bowls that always hit the spot. And now that we are making our own burrito bowls at home, we knew we needed to make a Chipotle copycat recipe of that amazing cilantro lime rice! Our quick and easy recipe is packed with all the same great flavors (with only 5 ingredients) and will go great with anything. Any time we are making a Mexican-inspired recipe, we always make this to go with it. Or we change it up with some Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice, either way you won’t regret it!

Looking for More Rice Side Dishes?

Then you definitely need to try our Salsa Rice, another Mexican-inspired side dish that is packed with flavor!

What You Will Need

cooked rice – just grab any of your favorite varieties of white rice or brown rice from your local grocery store.
lime zest & lime juice – two of the primary ingredients that bring a ton of refreshing lime flavor!
kosher salt – just a little bit for some added seasoning.
fresh cilantro – as far as we are concerned, everything is better with some fresh cilantro! Add as much or as little as you want.

Key Ingredients + Substitutions

Be sure to see the recipe card below for a full listing of the ingredients, instructions, & estimated nutritional information.

cooked rice – highly recommend a classic long grain white rice (i.e. basmati rice or jasmine rice), but any variety of rice will work here.
lime – love an ingredient that can pull double duty! Simple zest the outside of the lime and then cut it in half to squeeze for all that fresh juice.
fresh cilantro – one of our all-time favorite herbs!

How To Make Cilantro Lime Rice

Two images showing the cooked rice in a pot and then in a bowl with the rest of the ingredients. — Begin with some freshly cooked rice and add the rest of the ingredients.

What Type Of Rice Is Best For Cilantro Lime Rice?

A standard long grain white rice is the type of rice that is typically used to make cilantro lime rice in a restaurant. However, the beauty of making recipes at home is that you can use what you have on hand or what you prefer. So, whether you use white rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice to make a cauliflower cilantro lime rice… it is going to be amazing!

A hand squeezing a fresh lime into a bowl of cilantro lime rice. — Add as much lime juice as you want and toss it all together.

Best Ways To Serve Cilantro Lime Rice

The options are endless! We love using it as a base in our classic burrito bowls, cilantro lime chicken burritos, or steak fajita bowls. It would also be an easy side dish to serve with salsa verde chicken, ahi tuna tacos, or chicken enchiladas! We would love to hear your favorite way to enjoy this perfect side dish.

Serving a Crowd?

Begin by making a double or triple batch of the cilantro lime rice, depending on the number of guests. Then toss it all in a slow cooker, cover, and set to the warm setting for everyone to serve themselves.

Storage & Freezer

Leftover rice can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Or keep it for longer in the freezer for up to 3 months. Simply thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave or in a warm crockpot.

Recipe FAQs and Tips

Should I rinse the rice before cooking? This will depend on the type of rice that you use. Simply look at the package to see if they recommend rinsing or not.
Can cilantro lime rice be made in a rice cooker? Absolutely! Feel free to cook the rice in a pot on the stove top, in a rice cooker, or in an Instant Pot.

Made this recipe and loved it?!

We would love it if you would take a minute and leave a star rating and review – it is also helpful if you made any substitutions or changes to the recipe to share that as well. THANK YOU!

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Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe

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Author: Erin Jensen
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Side Dish
Method: Stove Top
Cuisine: American

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Description

Our quick & easy Cilantro Lime Rice is the perfect Mexican-inspired side dish or foundation for the most amazing burrito bowl!

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups white, long grain rice, cooked
1/2 cup cilantro (tightly packed, chopped) (additional for garnish, if you desire)
zest of 1 lime
3–4 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

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Instructions

Cook Rice: Cook the rice according to the package instructions (you ultimately want 2 cups cooked rice).
Combine: Remove from heat and add 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, lime zest and 3 tablespoons lime juice. Fluff and mix well. Taste and add any additional salt, lime juice and/or cilantro, as desired.
Serve: Enjoy any way you want!

Notes

Amount of cooked rice: you ultimately want 2 cups cooked rice so look at your package instructions to determine how many cups of raw rice you need – our long grain white rice called for 2 cups water and 1 cup rice for 2 cups cooked.
Lime Juice: 3 tablespoons lime juice equals the juice of 1 medium lime, so feel free to use the zest on the outside and then cut the lime in half to squeeze fresh lime juice into the rice.
Storage: place in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Or freeze for up to 3 months, thaw overnight & reheat.