Description

This Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice Copycat Recipe recreates the fresh, tangy, and herbaceous side dish famous from Chipotle. Featuring fluffy rice infused with fresh cilantro and zesty lime juice, it perfectly complements a variety of meals from Mexican fare to grilled dishes. The recipe includes cooking rice with a bay leaf and oil for aromatics, then folding in cilantro and lime juice for vibrant flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Rice and Seasoning

2 cups rice
1 bay leaf
2 teaspoons salt

Herbs and Citrus

6 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro
1 lime, juiced

Oil

6 teaspoons rice bran oil

Instructions

Rinse the rice: Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch, preventing the rice from becoming sticky.
Boil water: In a saucepan, bring 3 cups of water to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
Cook the rice: Add the rinsed rice and 2 tablespoons of rice bran oil to the boiling water. Stir gently to combine.
Add bay leaf and salt: Stir in the bay leaf and 2 teaspoons of salt for flavor.
Simmer covered: Cover the saucepan with a lid and let the rice cook on low heat until tender and the water is absorbed, about 18-20 minutes.
Drain and transfer: Once cooked, drain any remaining water and transfer the rice to a mixing bowl.
Add cilantro: Gently fold in the freshly chopped cilantro until evenly distributed.
Finish with lime and oil: Pour in the juice of one lime and the remaining 4 teaspoons of rice bran oil. Mix well to combine all flavors.
Serve: Your cilantro lime rice is now ready to be served as a vibrant, flavorful side dish.

Notes

Use homemade chicken or vegetable stock in place of water to add a deeper, savory flavor to the rice.
Char the lime on an open flame before juicing to impart a smoky, caramelized flavor.
Let the cooked rice rest covered for 5-7 minutes before fluffing to redistribute steam and meld flavors.
Add a small amount of ghee or clarified butter at the end of cooking for a rich, nutty taste that complements the lime and cilantro.
Infuse the oil with whole spices like cumin seeds or cardamom pods by heating them until fragrant, then strain before adding to the rice for an enhanced aroma and taste.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Copycat Recipes
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: chipotle cilantro lime rice, copycat recipe, cilantro lime rice side dish, easy rice recipe, mexican side dishes