Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice (Instant Pot)
Want to make something quick and tasty? Try this copycat Chipotle cilantro lime rice. In less than 20 minutes, with your instant pot, you’ll have rice that tastes just like Chipotle’s – maybe even better! This instant pot cilantro lime rice is perfect for all your Mexican favorites, from burritos and bowls to tacos and fajitas. Give it a go!
❤️ You’ll Love This Cilantro Lime Rice
- Taste: The rice boasts a bright, fresh, and herby taste. Adding citrusy flavor (from lemon and lime juice) brings freshness to the dish.
- Texture: Each grain is perfectly cooked, soft, fluffy, and separated.
Quick to Make: You can cook this dish in just 4 minutes thanks to the instant pot. (additional 5 minutes resting time). Add all the ingredients without extensive preparation, and that’s it! Plus, there’s no soaking required!
Easy to Make: It requires 6 simple ingredients usually available in every kitchen pantry.
🧾 Ingredient Notes For Chipotle White Rice
Here is the pic of the ingredients you’ll need to make this Chipotle’s Instant pot cilantro lime rice recipe
- Rice: While I’ve opted for basmati rice, you can choose any long-grain rice. Try basmati or jasmine rice. Long-grain rice doesn’t become mushy easily, and you can enjoy the flavor in every grain.
- Lemon and lime juice: lemon and lime juice offer freshness and tang to the dish. While lemon offers a slightly intense tartness, the lime balances it with its mild tart and sweetness.
- Cilantro: Cilantro adds a pop of color and freshness to the dish.
- Bay leaf and salt: Bay leaf adds aroma, and salt ensures the rice isn’t bland.
👩🍳 How To Make Cilantro Lime Rice In Instant Pot?
Rinse The Rice:
1, 2) Place the rice in a bowl, filling it with water. Gently massage the rice grains between your fingers and thumb until the water becomes cloudy.
3) Drain this water out and refill the bowl. Continue repeating this process until the water becomes mostly clear.
4) Drain the rice using a sieve or colander.
Make Copycat Chipotle White Rice:
1, 2) Combine the pre-rinsed rice, oil, salt, bay leaf, and water in the Instant Pot. Give it a gentle stir to ensure everything is well-mixed.
3) Secure the Instant Pot’s lid and set the valve to the sealing position. Cook on Manual (high pressure) for 4 minutes.
Once the time is up, Quick Pressure Release. Lift the Instant Pot’s lid. Allow the rice to rest undisturbed for about 5 minutes.
4, 5) To finish, sprinkle in freshly chopped cilantro and add lime and lemon juice. Gently fluff and mix the rice, ensuring the flavors meld together.
💭 Tips For Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
- Always rinse the rice two to three times before cooking.
- Let the rice rest for at least 5 minutes after cooking, to ensure the rice doesn’t break up or become mushy,
- Always add cilantro and lemon, lime juice after pressure cooking to retain their fresh flavors.
- Always use freshly squeezed lime and lemon juice for the best flavor.
- Add a bit of butter for richness and buttery flavor.
🥣 Storage & Reheating Instructions
- In the refrigerator, rice remains fresh for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container.
- Freezing isn’t recommended for this rice as it may alter its texture upon thawing.
- For reheating, sprinkle water on the rice and use either the microwave or stovetop. This ensures it regains its soft and fluffy consistency.
🍽 Serving Ideas
There are so many ways you can serve Chipotle cilantro lime rice. Here are a few ideas for you to try:
- Burrito Bowls: Elevate your burrito bowls using this rice as the foundation. Layer with chipotle black beans, sofritas, fajita veggies, roasted chili corn salsa, chipotle fresh tomato salsa, etc.
- Mexican Fiesta: Serve it as a side with your enchiladas, toastadas, or any of your favorite Mexican main dish.
- Burrito wraps: Use it as a filling for wraps or burritos. Add some grilled veggies, lettuce, and a drizzle of spicy mayo for a quick lunch.
- Soups: Serve alongside soups like tortilla soup or gazpacho. The rice adds a hearty element, making the meal more filling.
Check Out Other Rice Recipes
Did you try this instant pot chipotle white rice recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Leave a review in the comment section below.
Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe (Instant Pot)
US measuring cups are used (1 cup = 240 ml)
Ingredients
- 1 cup Basmati rice, or any long grain rice
- 2 teaspoons Oil
- 1 Bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 ¼ cup Water
- ¼ cup Cilantro or coriander leaves, finely chopped
- 1 ½ teaspoon Lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 ½ teaspoon Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Instructions
- Place the rice in a bowl, filling it with water. Gently massage the rice grains between your fingers and thumb until the water becomes cloudy. Drain this water out and refill the bowl. Continue repeating this process until the water becomes mostly clear. Drain the rice using a sieve or colander.
- Combine the pre-rinsed rice, oil, salt, bay leaf, and water in the Instant Pot. Give it a gentle stir to ensure everything is well-mixed.
- Secure the Instant Pot's lid and set the valve to the sealing position. Cook on Manual (high pressure) for 4 minutes.
- Once the time is up, Quick Pressure Release. Lift the Instant Pot's lid. Allow the rice to rest undisturbed for about 5 minutes.
- To finish, sprinkle in freshly chopped cilantro and add lime and lemon juice. Gently fluff and mix the rice, ensuring the flavors meld together.
Notes
- Always rinse the rice two to three times before cooking.
- To ensure the rice doesn’t break up or become mushy, let it rest for at least 5 minutes after cooking.
- Always use freshly squeezed lime and lemon juice for the best flavor.
- Add a bit of butter for richness and buttery flavor.
