This Chipotle Copycat Cilantro Lime Rice recipe is easy, flavorful, fluffy, and perfectly tender, made in an Instant Pot pressure cooker or Stovetop. Serve it alongside beans, burritos, a bowl, or tacos for a quick weeknight dinner.
I am a big fan of cilantro rice from Chipotle. This rice tastes just like Chipotle. The best part about this cilantro lime rice recipe is that it's so easy to prepare just one pot in less than 20 minutes.
Cilantro Lime Rice Ingredients
- Butter & Oil: I used both butter and olive oil in this recipe.
- Rice: Long-grain rice (basmati rice or jasmine rice) is preferred.
- Broth or Water: You can use either vegetable broth or water. The vegetable broth enhances the flavor!
- Lime juice: It’s important to use freshly squeezed juice for flavor (instead of bottled).
- Lime zest: Lime zest gives the rice a more fragrant lime flavor but is optional.
- Cilantro: You’ll need about ¼ cup of freshly chopped cilantro.
- Bay Leaf: This gives a nice flavor to the rice, but it's optional.
How to Make Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice in Instant Pot
Firstly, press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Next, add oil, and once it's hot, add Bay leaf, followed by rinsed basmati rice.
Toast the rice for 30 secs (till aromatic). This step helps your rice cook up into separate grains and is more flavorful. This step is optional.
Add water or vegetable broth, salt and give a stir.
Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 4 minutes.
Allow natural pressure release for 5 minutes, and then do Quick Release for any remaining pressure.
Lastly, add butter, fresh cilantro/coriander leaves, lime juice, and lime zest. Stir well to combine.
Serve this easy instant pot chipotle cilantro lime rice with a homemade burrito bowl.
Stovetop Pot Method
- Firstly, heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add oil and once it’s hot, add Bay leaf, followed by rinsed basmati rice. Stir for 30 secs (till aromatic).
- Then add water or vegetable stock, salt, and give a stir. Reduce the heat to low and cover with a lid.
- Simmer for 20-25 minutes, until all liquid has been absorbed and rice is tender.
- Then follow the steps to add the lime juice, zest, butter, and cilantro to the rice. Note make sure to add an extra 1 cup of water while cooking on a stovetop.
How to Serve Cilantro Rice
Serve this instant pot cilantro rice to make a rice bowl with Mexican black beans, guacamole, sour cream, cheese and lettuce.
Related FAQs
Any long or short-grain white rice is preferable. I have used long-grain basmati rice in this recipe. Do not use any easy-to-cook rice like arborio or minute rice.
Yes, it can be. Follow the same steps as above. Pressure cook for 22 minutes at high pressure, followed by a 10-minute natural pressure release. Everything else remains the same in the recipe.
Toasting your rice before adding liquid adds flavor to your rice, and also it helps to cook up into separate grains. However, this step is certainly not a required step in cooking rice.
More Mexican Recipes
- Mexican Black Beans
- Guacamole
- Vegetarian Chili
- Taco Pasta
- Quinoa Black Bean Salad
- Avocado Cilantro Dressing
More Instant Pot Rice Recipes
If you’ve tried this easy cilantro lime dressing recipe or any other recipe on Indianveggiedelight, then don’t forget to rate the recipe. You can also follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see the latest recipes!
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Measuring cup used 1 cup = 250 ml
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 bay leaf (optional)
- 1 cup basmati rice rinsed
- 1 ¼ cups water or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoon salt adjust to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ¼ cup cilantro (coriander leaves)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- zest of 1 lime (optional)
Instructions
Instant Pot Method:
- Firstly, press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Add oil and once it's hot add Bay leaf followed by rinsed basmati rice.Toast the rice for 30 secs (till aromatic). This step helps your rice cook up into separate grains and is more flavorful. This step is optional.
- Add water or vegetable broth, salt and give a stir.
- Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 4 minutes.
- Allow natural pressure release for 5 minutes and then do Quick Release for any remaining pressure.
- Lastly, add butter, fresh cilantro/coriander leaves, lime juice, and lime zest. Stir well to combine.
- Serve this cilantro lime rice with homemade burrito bowl.
Stovetop Pot Method:
- Firstly, heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add oil and once it’s hot add Bay leaf followed by rinsed basmati rice. Stir for 30 secs (till aromatic).
- Then add water or vegetable stock, salt and give a stir. Reduce the heat to low and cover with lid.
- Simmer for 20-25 minutes, until all liquid has been absorbed and rice is tender.
- Then follow the steps to add the lime juice, zest, butter, and cilantro to the rice. Note: make sure to add an extra 1 cup of water while cooking on a stovetop.
Video
Notes
- I have prepared this dish in my electric pressure cooker, Instant Pot DUO60 6 QT
- Vegans can use oil instead of butter.
- If you want softer cilantro lime rice, increase the water. Add 1.5 cups of water for 1 cup of rice.
Westfield Mama says
This truly was the easiest Rice I have ever made in the instant pot.
bhavana says
Thank you for trying ?