Copycat Chipotle Rice Recipe: This fluffy rice is loaded with fresh cilantro and lime for an irresistible and versatile side dish. It is so easy to make and tastes way better than even your favorite fast-casual Tex-Mex restaurant!

Bowl of chipotle rice with cilantro.

Why We Love This Chipotle Copycat Recipe

Okay, the first thing to make clear: This chipotle rice recipe is not made with chipotle peppers… Rather, it is a copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice recipe from the popular restaurant chain!

But WHY does Chipotle rice taste so good? This simple, fresh, and fragrant rice uses only a handful of ingredients that are brimming with bright flavors! The combination of tart and sweet lime with fragrant cilantro and the fluffiest, most tender rice is pure heaven. And because it is just the right balance of bold ingredients, without being too overpowering, the rice is perfect for building burrito bowls or serving with any of your favorite Mexican or Caribbean dishes.

Pro Tip: Before we get started, be sure to rinse the dried rice well to remove the starches. This helps the rice cook light and fluffy.

Bowl of chipotle lime rice.

Ingredients You Need

  • Dried rice – white jasmine, basmati, or other long grain rice
  • Water – I suggest filtered water vs tap water for the best taste
  • Olive oil – or other rich neutral-tasting oil, like avocado oil or canola oil
  • Salt and garlic powder – a bit of each adds a delicious savory flavor to the bright and fresh rice
  • Cilantro – fresh, rinsed, dried and chopped
  • Lime – fresh and juiced

Optional: Black pepper or crushed red pepper, for a kick of heat

Bowl of chipotle rice with cilantro.

How to Make Chipotle Rice

First, rinse the rice (tips in the recipe card below) to remove excess starch and essentially “clean” the grains.

Once the water is mostly clear, use a sieve to carefully drain the water off the rice.

Pro Tip: I like to place the sieve on top of a large glass measuring cup or bowl that lets the water drip off, without needing to hold it.

Straining white rice over a glass measuring pitcher.

Set a medium sauce pot on the stove over high heat. Add the drained rice, water, olive oil and spices.

Cover the pot with a tight lid and bring the water to a boil. Once the rice is boiling, stir once, then cover again. Lower the heat to medium and allow the rice to simmer for 15 minutes undisturbed, or until there are vent holes in the top of the rice and the water has fully evaporated.

Wait until the 15-minute mark to check the rice. Don’t open the lid over and over! I recommend a pot with a glass lid for cooking rice. Then you can see when the vent holes are fully formed.

Pot of cooked white rice.

Meanwhile, finely chop the cilantro – including the cilantro stems – and juice the limes.

Once the rice has cooked, turn off the heat and take the pot off of the burner. Resist the urge to remove the lid and keep it on! Step back and allow the rice to steam for another 5 minutes.

Adding lime juice from a measuring spoon over a pot with rice and chopped cilantro.

Then stir in the fresh chopped cilantro and lime juice. Stir gently so as not to mash the grains of rice.

Give it a taste, and a black pepper or spicy crushed red pepper, if desired.

Get the Complete (Printable) Chipotle Rice Recipe + Video Below. Enjoy!

Wooden spatula stirring fluffy white rice with chopped cilantro in a large cooking pot.

Serving Suggestions

Of course, when you think of Chipotle, you immediately think of Mexican-inspired and Tex-Mex dishes … Tacos, burritos, copycat Chipotle burrito bowl, all of that goodness served with guacamole and salsa. Here are a few of our favorite recipes to pair with a side of fabulously fluffy homemade cilantro lime rice:

It also goes well with more authentic Mexican main dishes like Achiote Chicken (pollo pibil), Red Chili Pork (carne adovada), Grilled Chicken (pollo asado), or Grilled Red Snapper (pescado zarandeado).

AND the lime and cilantro flavors are terrific alongside Caribbean-inspired dishes, like Grilled Lamb Chops, Brown Stew Chicken, and Goat Curry.

Bowl of copycat chipotle rice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make Chipotle lime rice without cilantro?

The flavor of the rice will obviously be quite different. But yes, you can omit the cilantro and make this a simple but-still-tasty lime rice recipe.

How do you make this a Chipotle brown rice recipe?

Simply swap white rice for brown rice and cook per the package instructions. Brown rice usually needs a bit longer to simmer.

How long do leftovers last?

Leftover cooked rice will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let it cool completely before transferring to an airtight container and storing it in the fridge.

Can you freeze cooked rice?

Yes, you can, but I do not recommend it. The cooled rice will freeze well, but thawing and recooking tend to make it mushy.

How do you make Chipotle cauliflower rice?

Use my tried-and-true roasted cauliflower rice recipe to make a homemade low carb version of Chipotle’s cilantro lime rice. Then follow the same recipe steps to finish the rice off before serving.

Metal spoon scooping rice to camera.

Looking for More Easy Rice Recipes? Be Sure to Try:

Bowl of chipotle rice with cilantro.
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Copycat Chipotle Rice Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Resting Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
This fluffy and delicious Chipotle Rice Recipe is loaded with cilantro and lime for a flavorful, irresistible, and versatile side dish. And it tastes way better than your favorite fast casual Tex-Mex restaurant!
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Measure the rice and pour it into a bowl. Place the bowl under the faucet and run cold tap water into the bowl. With your hand, gently stir the rice as the water pours into the bowl. Continue to stir and rinse the rice until the water is mostly clear. Do this carefully so as to not lose rice down the drain. Once the water is mostly clear, use a sieve to carefully drain the water off the rice.
  • Set a medium sauce pot on the stovetop over high heat. Add the drained rice, water, olive oil, salt, and garlic powder.
  • Cover the pot with a tight lid and bring to a boil. Once the rice is boiling, stir once, then cover again. Lower the heat to medium and allow the rice to simmer for 15 minutes, or until there are vent holes in the top of the rice and the water has fully evaporated. Wait until the 15-minute mark to check the rice. (Don’t open the lid over and over.) *A pot with a glass lid is great for cooking rice because you can see when the vent holes are fully formed.
  • Meanwhile, chop the cilantro and squeeze the limes.
  • Remove the pot from the heat. Keep it covered and allow the rice to steam for another 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the fresh chopped cilantro and lime juice. Add pepper if desired. Fluff the rice and serve warm.

Video

Notes

Leftover cooked rice will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let it cool completely before transferring to an airtight container and storing it in the fridge.

Nutrition

Serving: 5oz, Calories: 145kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 0.3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 443mg, Potassium: 54mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 0.2g, Vitamin A: 38IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 14mg, Iron: 0.3mg
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Caribbean, Mexican, Tex-Mex
Author: Sommer Collier
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