Cilantro Lime Rice (Chipotle Inspired)

Cilantro Lime Rice (Chipotle Inspired)

Inspired by the ever so tasty rice at Chipotle, this recipe for Cilantro Lime Rice is easy to make and addictively good! With the perfect balance of fresh lime juice, olive oil, salt, and chopped cilantro you will be craving more with each bite!

Author: Kim Grimmett

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 25

Total Time 30

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Mexican

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan

Servings: 8 (see note)

Ingredients

2 cups basmati rice
3 cups water (or follow package directions- see notes)
1 bay leaf
¾ teaspoon sea salt
2 pinches garlic powder (optional)
1 tablespoon olive oil
3-4 tablespoon fresh lime juice
¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro (more for garnish)

Instructions

To prepare the rice, first cover it with water in a medium bowl and swish it around to remove any excess starch. Then drain the rice using a fine mesh sieve and rinse again until the water runs almost clear. Then drain the rice as well as you can. You want to remove as much excess water as possible from the rinsing or your rice will be mushy.
Put the rinsed and drained rice, water, bay leaf, salt, and pinches of garlic powder (if using) into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. *See notes below about the amount of water.
Once the rice has come to a boil, cover the saucepan with a tight fitting lid, lower the heat, and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes making sure not to remove the lid at any point. If your pot has a clear lid you will be able to see when the water has been absorbed by the rice. If you don't have a clear lid you can take a peek at 15 minutes, but be sure to put the lid back on quickly. Once the rice is done, remove it from the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes with the lid tightly on.
When the rice is done, fluff it with a fork and lay it out on a sheet pan to cool for about 3-5 minutes. I do this because tossing hot basmati rice can make it break into little pieces.
Put the warm rice into a large bowl then drizzle with the olive oil, half of the lime juice, and chopped cilantro. Then toss to combine.
Now, taste your rice and season with more lime juice and salt if desired.
To serve, top with more fresh chopped cilantro.
Use the rice as side dish, in bowls, burritos, and more!
Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 7 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months in an airtight container or freezer bag.

Notes

*It is important that you drain the rice very well after rinsing or you risk ending up with mushy rice. I sometimes even lay the rice out on a sheet pan to dry for a few minutes before using.

*In most cases if your rice comes with no package directions basmati rice cooks best at a ratio of 1 cup of rice to 1.5 cups of water. However, if your brand of rice is telling you to use a different ratio then follow your package directions.

*The recipe serves 8 people as a side dish or burrito filling. And serves about 4 people when using to make bowls.

Nutrition

Keyword chipotle rice, cilantro lime rice, lime rice, vegan cilantro lime rice

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