Cilantro Lime Rice • Two Purple Figs

September 3, 2024

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This Cilantro Lime Rice is a zesty, bright and tasty copycat recipe to Chipotle’s famous rice. The only difference is that we added so much more flavor and cooked it to fluffy perfection. This easy rice recipe is the perfect side dish to any Mexican food and it cooks in 20 minutes! So gather up your lime, cilantro, jalapenos and let’s make the best cilantro lime rice recipe!

A plate of cilantro lime rice top view showing the fluffy cooked rice, the specks of green from cilantro, scallions, lime zest, jalapenos and surrounded by lime slices, jalapenos and a tea towel

While we love this cilantro lime rice recipe, we need to mention that it was inspired by Chipotle’s famous dish. We also want to mention that this version is MUCH tastier. Yes. We mean it!

We took everything that we loved about the cilantro lime rice recipe, and then boosted it some more. Our version has a hefty amount of bright cilantro, a whole jalapeno diced in (which is optional), more scallions. And of course, lots of lime zest and juice.

Another amazing difference is that we DO NOT boil our rice, like EVER. Ok so this is a bit controversial. But we, Mediterraneans cook all our rice dishes using the same technique as rice pilaf. This basically means sautéing the rice in oil (butter or ghee) before adding in the water and letting the rice cook on low to absorb that liquid.

This video shows how easy it is to cook fluffy and tasty rice. More details below 🙂

Why You Need to Make Cilantro Lime Rice

It’s bursting with FLAVOR! Every bite is a zest of aromas.
The recipe can be totally adjusted to your taste, adding more or less of cilantro, jalapeno or lime–the major components.
You’ll pair it with plenty of Mexican dishes!
The rice cooks in 20 minutes.
Our technique (classic Mediterranean style of cooking rice) for fluffy rice will blow you away–no more boiled tasteless rice!
You can make it in advance, use it for meal prep, and even freeze it!
Leftovers make the best bowls : hello Fajita Bowl 🧡, salads, burritos, wraps and more!

Ingredients You’ll Need

ingredients to make cilantro lime rice on a board including the bowl of rice, some olive oil in a bowl, some chopped cilantro, chopped scallions, lime zest, lime juice in bowls and chilli powder, some jalapeno minced

Rice. Use long grain rice for this recipe. Jasmine rice or basmati are great choices.
Cilantro. You can use stems and leaves for this recipe. begin with the stems and finish off by adding the leaves.
Lime. Both lime zest and lime juice are used here for maximum flavor.
Jalapeno. Completely optional, but oh so recommended!! Use half a jalapeno, a quarter of it, use deseeded, full on seeded, however works for you!
Garlic and Scallions. The base flavor for the rice.
Olive oil. We use some to sauté with and then finish of the rice with even more taste by adding a drizzle of it at the end.
Seasoning. While salt is enough here, we add a bit of chilli powder for an extra level of flavor.

How To Make Cilantro Lime Rice

Start by making the base of the dish. Sauté some chopped scallions and minced garlic in olive oil for 2 minutes until fragrant. This will infuse the recipe with so much flavor.
Next we add in the rice. You can rinse the rice, soak the rice ahead of time, however it’s unnecessary. If you have time, I recommended rinsing only, no need for soaking.
Season the rice with salt and chilli powder. Chilli powder is an extra addition from us, and definitely optional. We love the extra touch of flavor of chilli powder. feel free to skip it.
The rice gets sautéed with the scallions garlic, seasoning and olive oil for another 2 minutes. This toasts the rice, adding flavor and texture.
The water goes next, or stock. Definitely use stock for extra flavor, and if you’re out of it, water will do the job just fine.
You’ll keep the rice on high heat and wait until the water has come to a boil.
At that point you’ll turn the heat to the lowest setting, place the lid on your pot and let the rice cook.
This takes about 16-20 minutes. Uncover and you’ll get fluffy, soft, long grain rice. It’s not mushy, not chewy, just perfectly cooked and soaked with flavor from the base of garlic and scallions, and the stock if using.
Now you’ll flavor the cilantro lime rice with the cilantro lime. Add in the cilantro, lime zest and juice, olive oil, minced jalapeno, minced scallions.
Give that a mix and you’re all set for a delicious rice experience like NO OTHER!!!

Rice Cooker Cilantro Lime Rice

To make this recipe in the rice cooker, add the scallions, garlic, olive oil, rinsed rice and water/stock into the basket of your rice cooker. Cook according to the machine. When ready, add in the cilantro, lime, jalapeno and remaining ingredients. Toss well and it’s ready.

How to Serve Cilantro Lime Rice

This recipe is perfect for Fajita Bowl, Salmon Bowl and any Sheet Pan Fajitas. Also makes a great side dish with our Grilled Trout, Grilled Shrimp, Ground Chicken Tacos, Air Fryer Whole Chicken. Add it to this Taco Salad, Crunchwrap Supreme, and don’t forget a dollop of Mango Pico De Gallo, Authentic Guacamole Recipe or Homemade Salsa.

Tips for the BEST Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe

Use long grain rice for a fluffier and textured dish. jasmine rice or basmati work best.
Rinse the rice to remove any extra starch and have it super fluffy when cooked.
Sautee the scallions and garlic first to infuse the oil before cooking. Skip this part if you’re using a rice cooker.
likewise sauté the rice for a nuttier taste and better texture before adding in the liquid.
Stock or water can be used.
make sure to cook the rice always at the LOWEST heat setting once the liquid has to a boil.
When ready, add in the flavorings right away–cilantro, lime, jalapeno, scallions and more olive oil.
Use zest and juice of the lime for maximum flavor!

Variations of Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe

Use brown rice or black wild rice for a nuttier, healthier dish. Adjust cooking times and water/liquid amount to ensure it cooks properly.
Use cauliflower to make cauliflower cilantro lime rice. Follow the steps in this Dill Cauliflower Rice to make cauliflower rice from scratch.
Try broccoli rice for a variation too.
Add some black beans to the recipe. Once the recipe is ready, add in some rinsed canned black beans for extra protein and to make it a hearty side dish.

Storing Cilantro Lime Rice, Freezing and reheating

Leftover of this dish can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
To freeze the rice, make sure it has cooled for two hours after cooking. Then portion the rice into ziploc bags or sealed containers and freeze them for up to 3 months.
To reheat leftover rice, you can microwave it with a teaspoon of water. Likewise you can add it to a post with a tablespoon of water, set the heat o low with the lid on and let it heat up for 10-15 minutes.
If reheating the frozen one, you can thaw it first in the fridge for a few hours and reheat as above.
When reheating, make sure you add in a bit of fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime to pop up the flavors even more.

Mexican Recipes To Try

Birria Tacos
Sheet Pan Fajitas
Strawberry Mojito
Lamb Tacos
Nacho Cheese Sauce Recipe
Taco Soup
Nacho Fries
Salmon Tacos