How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice In a Rice Cooker (Chipotle Copycat)

Learn how to make Cilantro Lime Rice like Chipotle in a rice cooker (or on your stovetop) in less than 15 minutes. Light, fluffy and exploding with fresh citrus flavor, this rice cooker cilantro lime rice recipe is vegan AND naturally gluten-free. 

Jump to:

• 🌟 Why This Recipe Works
• 🥘 Ingredients
• 🍚 How To Make Rice Cooker Cilantro Lime Rice
• 🍲 Stove Top Method
• ⭐ Top Tips & Substitutions
• 💭 FAQS
• 🥡 What Goes Well With Cilantro Lime Rice?
• 🌮 More Recipe Favorites
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

If you’ve never tried Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice before, get in your car and go try it…right now. It’s amazing! No Chipotle nearby? No worries! I’ve got you covered with my copycat cilantro lime rice.

HINT: this recipe pairs well with my Instant Pot Vegan Tinga Tacos and my Vegan Enchilada Casserole.

🌟 Why This Recipe Works

If you’re a gourmet foodie, health conscious, a busy worker bee, have certain dietary restrictions, or on a budget, this recipe has you covered because it’s:

• quick and easy – you’ll need one-pot and less than 15 minutes.
• dietary restriction-friendly – vegan, gluten-free, low calorie, low-fat and no added sugar; you can’t get better than that!
• ingredient and pantry-friendly – uses only 7 ingredients with many of them already in your pantry.
• budget-friendly – the entire recipe will set you back about $5.

🥘 Ingredients

• rice – basmati long grain rice works best as it is far more aromatic than plain rice. But you can also use jasmine, brown or whatever rice you have on hand. Read more about the difference between basmati and plain white rice.
• garlic – fresh minced is best but if you have minced in jar, that’s fine too.
• fat – olive oil or vegan butter is best. You can also make it oil-free, just know this may alter the taste a bit.
• bay leaves – this ingredient enhances flavor of recipe and should not be omitted.
• lime juice – fresh works best but store-bought is ok, too.
• cilantro – should be fresh, super green with no yellowing or browning of the leaves.

***See recipe card for quantities.

🍚 How To Make Rice Cooker Cilantro Lime Rice

Step 1. To your pot, add rice, garlic, olive oil, sea salt and bay leaves.

Step 2. Add filtered water. Stir.

Step 3. Close lid and press appropriate setting for either white or brown rice.

Step 4. Once rice is finished, open lid and remove bay leaves.

Step 5. Squeeze fresh lime with juicer directly over pot.

Step 6. Add cilantro.

Step 7. Stir thoroughly.

Step 8. Scoop into bowls, garnish with more cilantro and fresh lime wedges and serve immediately or keep warm in rice cooker until ready to serve.

🍲 Stove Top Method

If you don’t have a rice cooker, no problem. Follow the steps below to make recipe in a regular pot:

1. Add rice, garlic, olive oil, sea salt, bay leaves and filtered water to your pot and give it a stir.
2. Follow the instructions for cooking time on your rice package.
3. Once all water is absorbed and your rice is ready, remove from heat and add lime juice and cilantro.
4. Give it another good stir, scoop into serving bowls and garnish with lime wedges and more cilantro.

⭐ Top Tips & Substitutions

Here are some tips to help you make this recipe perfectly, every time:

• You may substitute basmati or brown rice for jasmine rice, as seen in the image below.
• Rice can be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Before reheating on the stove top or in the microwave, add a bit of water and give it a good stir. Still dry? Try adding a bit of olive oil. 
• If you choose to use less or more lime, please do. I used 2.5 and it was perfect.
• You may opt for vegan butter instead of olive oil, or you may omit the oil completely (just know it won’t taste exactly the same if you do).
• Red pepper flakes or peppercorns make for great garnishes, besides cilantro and fresh lime wedges.
• For optimal flavor and appearance, avoid adding cilantro until just before serving.

💭 FAQS

🥡 What Goes Well With Cilantro Lime Rice?

🌮 More Recipe Favorites

Still hungry? Check out some all-time vegan recipe favorites:

• Amazing Rainbow Forbidden Rice
• No-Yeast Vegan Garlic Naan Made on Stove Top
• Cilantro Lime Avocado Sauce
• Vegan Southwest Salad
• Roasted Beet Hummus Recipe
• Vegan Mushroom Wellington w/ Sweet Potato & Rosemary
• Healthy Sheet Pan Harvest Bowls

Have you tried this? Why not leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter, and sign up for my newsletter!

📖 Recipe