Cilantro Lime Rice is the perfect addition for your next Taco Tuesday or as a side dish! It is fun making your rice flavorful from fresh ingredients instead of from a box!
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Cilantro Lime Rice is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner when you are craving Mexican food or even an Asian dish with a lean protein and veggies. Or wrap it up in a burrito!
Chipotle is a popular fast food restaurant so I wanted to recreate or “copy” their cilantro rice from and make it from scratch!
Cilantro nutrition and health benefits
Cilantro is rich in beta-carotene in addition to beneficial vitamins (A and C); it is also packed with minerals like potassium and calcium!
Additionally, blood pressure and intestinal health both benefit from cilantro, and the potassium helps stabilize the body’s fluid levels and therefore the heart rate.
Cilantro is rich in anemia-preventing iron while the leaves and tips are loaded with antioxidants that help prevent heart disease. It has also been shown beneficial for diabetics.
Ingredient Notes
Jasmine Rice: any long grain white rice will work
Chicken Broth: you could use water, we just like the added flavor of using broth
Shallot or white onion: I’ve tested this recipe either or, they both work. I prefer using a shallot!
Cilantro: fresh is recommended!
How to make Cilantro Lime Rice
In a medium frying pan over medium heat melt the butter and add in the onion and garlic. Stir occasionally and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add in rice and stir for 30 seconds.
Add in the seasonings and chicken broth and let it come to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes. DO NOT lift the lid while the rice is cooking.
Once the rice is cooked, fluff with a fork and add in the lime zest, lime juice and chopped cilantro. Give it a nice stir and serve warm!
What is the best water to rice ratio for Jasmine rice?
1 cup of rice: 1 1/2 cups water or broth. This will yield 3 cups of cooked rice.
For drier rice, use 1/4 cup less water.
For moister rice, use 1/4 cup more water.
Where is Jasmine rice from and how is it different than Basmati?
Jasmine rice is originally from Thailand.
This is a long grain variety of rice that has a subtle floral aroma and a soft, sticky texture when cooked. The amylopectin in Jasmine rice gives it a clingy texture and makes it ideal for gently piling into a rice bowl!
How to store Cilantro lime rice
If all of your rice doesn’t get eaten, cool any cooked rice as quickly as possible – ideally within one hour. Store in an air tight container in the fridge.
Try not to keep rice in the refrigerator for more than one day before reheating. When you reheat rice, make sure it’s steaming hot all the way through.
In a medium sized frying pan over medium heat, melt the butter and add in the onion and garlic. Stir occasionally and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add in the rice and stir for 30 seconds.
Add in the cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper and chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cover with a lid, lower the heat, and cook for 15-20 minutes. DO NOT lift the lid while the rice is cooking.
Once the rice is cooked, fluff with a fork and add in the lime zest, lime juice and chopped cilantro. Give it a nice stir and serve warm!
Video
Notes
When you chop the cilantro use the leaves and some of the stems! The stems have great flavor.You do not want to lift the lid while the rice cooks because it lets out steam and lowers the temperature. Rice does not require stirring while cooking, just cover and let it cook! Rinsing the rice prior to adding into pot: optional but I recommend it. Rinse the rice to rid the rice of outer starch. This will give you separated grains and not mushy rice.
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Hi Cindy! I am SO glad you enjoyed the rice. Thank you so much! xo, Tawnie
Vanessa P.
1 year ago
Thank you so much for this recipe. I’ve used it many times in the short time since coming across it. I don’t care much for traditional Spanish rice anymore since growing up in a Hispanic household I’m pretty burnt out! But this is so savory and delicious.
I feel like you read my mind…just the other day I was thinking I needed to find a good rice to pair with my slow-cooker black beans! Yum! Thanks for laying out the health benefits of cilantro…it’s easy to forget that delicious herbs have TONS of nutrition!
Could not stop eating it! So good.
I’m so glad! Thank you so much!
This is a great recipe. I found it last week and I’m making it for the third time. Awesome
Hi Stephanie! Aw I am so glad, thank you!!
This was fabulous! My family loved it. Thanks for a great recipe.
Hi Cindy! I am SO glad you enjoyed the rice. Thank you so much! xo, Tawnie
Thank you so much for this recipe. I’ve used it many times in the short time since coming across it. I don’t care much for traditional Spanish rice anymore since growing up in a Hispanic household I’m pretty burnt out! But this is so savory and delicious.
HI Vanessa! Oh my goodness I am so glad you love it – thank you so much for making! xo, Tawnie
This was perfect with tacos! Thank you!
My go-to recipe, this is so good!
I am so thankful for this recipe!! Sometimes Chipotle rice is the only thing my son wants to eat, now I can make it at home!
I feel like you read my mind…just the other day I was thinking I needed to find a good rice to pair with my slow-cooker black beans! Yum! Thanks for laying out the health benefits of cilantro…it’s easy to forget that delicious herbs have TONS of nutrition!
Haha too funny!! Rice and beans = heaven! Especially slow-cooker beans, delish!
I love making flavored rice as a side dish to sautéed veggies or salmon! Lime and cilantro really brighten. xx
Salmon!! I need some more salmon in my life, sounds like it would be a great combo 🙂