Chipotle Rice Copycat Recipe

Why We Love This Chipotle Copycat Recipe

Okay, the first thing to make clear: This chipotle rice recipe is not made with chipotle peppers… Rather, it is a copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice recipe from the popular restaurant chain! But WHY does Chipotle rice taste so good? This simple, fresh, and fragrant rice uses only a handful of ingredients that are brimming with bright flavors! The combination of tart and sweet lime with fragrant cilantro and the fluffiest, most tender rice is pure heaven. And because it is just the right balance of bold ingredients, without being too overpowering, the rice is perfect for building burrito bowls or serving with any of your favorite Mexican or Caribbean dishes. Pro Tip: Before we get started, be sure to rinse the dried rice well to remove the starches. This helps the rice cook light and fluffy.

Ingredients You Need

Dried rice – white jasmine, basmati, or other long grain rice Water – I suggest filtered water vs tap water for the best taste Olive oil – or other rich neutral-tasting oil, like avocado oil or canola oil Salt and garlic powder – a bit of each adds a delicious savory flavor to the bright and fresh rice Cilantro – fresh, rinsed, dried and chopped Lime – fresh and juiced

Optional: Black pepper or crushed red pepper, for a kick of heat

How to Make Chipotle Rice

First, rinse the rice (tips in the recipe card below) to remove excess starch and essentially “clean” the grains. Once the water is mostly clear, use a sieve to carefully drain the water off the rice. Pro Tip: I like to place the sieve on top of a large glass measuring cup or bowl that lets the water drip off, without needing to hold it. Set a medium sauce pot on the stove over high heat. Add the drained rice, water, olive oil and spices. Cover the pot with a tight lid and bring the water to a boil. Once the rice is boiling, stir once, then cover again. Lower the heat to medium and allow the rice to simmer for 15 minutes undisturbed, or until there are vent holes in the top of the rice and the water has fully evaporated. Wait until the 15-minute mark to check the rice. Don’t open the lid over and over! I recommend a pot with a glass lid for cooking rice. Then you can see when the vent holes are fully formed. Meanwhile, finely chop the cilantro – including the cilantro stems – and juice the limes. Once the rice has cooked, turn off the heat and take the pot off of the burner. Resist the urge to remove the lid and keep it on! Step back and allow the rice to steam for another 5 minutes. Then stir in the fresh chopped cilantro and lime juice. Stir gently so as not to mash the grains of rice. Give it a taste, and a black pepper or spicy crushed red pepper, if desired.

Serving Suggestions

Of course, when you think of Chipotle, you immediately think of Mexican-inspired and Tex-Mex dishes … Tacos, burritos, copycat Chipotle burrito bowl, all of that goodness served with guacamole and salsa. Here are a few of our favorite recipes to pair with a side of fabulously fluffy homemade cilantro lime rice:

Green Chili Steak Tacos Alambre Tacos with Carne Asada Corn Crusted Fish Tacos Slow Cooker Carnitas or Instant Pot Carnitas Vegan Tofu (or Tempeh) Tacos Tacos al Pastor Shredded Chicken Tacos Super Easy Baked Tacos Spicy Crockpot Barbacoa Beef, Chicken, or Black Beans Sweet Potato Enchiladas

It also goes well with more authentic Mexican main dishes like Achiote Chicken (pollo pibil), Red Chili Pork (carne adovada), Grilled Chicken (pollo asado), or Grilled Red Snapper (pescado zarandeado). AND the lime and cilantro flavors are terrific alongside Caribbean-inspired dishes, like Grilled Lamb Chops, Brown Stew Chicken, and Goat Curry.