You only need 4 ingredients and a few minutes to make this Chipotle Copycat Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice. It is the perfect side dish for Mexican dishes, Asian dishes and great for weekly meal prep.
Suitable for vegan, gluten free and dairy free diets. Post includes Weight Watchers Points.
This easy Chipotle Copycat Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice recipe is a great all purpose rice dish that will be loved by your whole family. It makes a great side to serve with Mexican, Asian, and takeout dishes, use as a base for bowls, and as filling for burritos and tacos.
This fluffy fail proof rice recipe is quick and easy to whip up with minimal prep and only 5 everyday ingredients. Just as easy as this Instant Pot Coconut Rice, 10 minute Ramen Noodle Stir Fry and garlic butter Instant Pot Red Potatoes.
Table of Contents
Why Make This Recipe
- Fast – cooking cilantro lime rice in Instant Pot takes under 30 minutes.
- Budget-Friendly – rice is inexpensive as are the rest of the ingredients.
- One-Pot – this easy dump and start Instant Pot rice cooks in one pot for easy cleanup.
- Family-Friendly – flavorful rice is something the whole family will love.
- Dietary – suitable for vegan, gluten free and dairy free diets.
Ingredients Notes
- Rice – I used plain basmati rice for this. Make sure this is rinsed till the water runs clear. Let it drain for a few minutes before cooking.
- Water – just regular water is all you need to cook this rice since much taste will be added via the lime and cilantro.
- Lime – the addition of lime juice and lime zest brings tons of flavor. If you want it a little sharper, add another tablespoon of lime juice.
- Cilantro – chopped fresh cilantro really makes this dish. Add extra if you want, or sub in parsley if you don’t have cilantro on hand.
- Oil – this adds a little extra flavor, but is purely optional.
- Salt – choose your favorite salt. See below for some optional spice suggestions.
How To Cook Cilantro Lime Rice Instant Pot
Get full ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.
- Add the water, oil (if using), lime juice, lime zest, and salt into the Instant Pot insert, followed by the rice. Mix together well.
- Close the Instant Pot and seal, select the pressure cook (or manual) button, select high pressure, and set the timer to 5 minutes.
- When done let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes before quickly releasing the rest of the pressure.
- Fluff the rice, mix in the chopped cilantro, and let stand for another 5 minutes before serving.
Note: Cooking times do not include the time it takes for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure.
Tips For Success
- Make sure to rinse the rice until it runs clear and drain well before cooking.
- Fluff and let the rice sit for a few minutes before before serving.
Delicious Variations
- Cook with broth – use broth instead of water for extra flavor.
- Add fragrant spices – add spices such as cumin or cinnamon sticks when cooking.
- Add lemon – a squeeze of lemon juice and some zest is a great addition to the lime.
- Add heat – some red pepper flakes or cayenne powder is an easy way to add heat.
Budget Friendly Tips
- Use any variety of long grain rice you have on hand.
Storage and Meal Prep
- Store – Store cooled leftover rice in an airtight container inside the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze – Let the rice cool in an airtight container and then freeze for up to 6 weeks.
- Reheat – Allow frozen rice to thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat in the microwave until it is piping hot.
Meal Prep – This is a great recipe for meal prep. Cook once and eat for days.
- This recipe stores for 4 days so you can eat it on the day you cook it, plus 4 more days.
- Separate leftover rice into individual size portions in airtight meal prep containers (microwave safe) and let it cool completely with the lids off. Then close them and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave.
- To vary it up through the week, feel free to add in other leftovers like grilled veggies, fajitas, stir fries, chicken, and more.
FAQs
You have probably seen the debate on various websites about using washed versus unwashed rice. For this recipe, I recommend rinsing the rice with running tap water until the water runs clear.
To reduce the amount of starch, and to reduce the possibility of getting a burn notice, rinse the rice before cooking. Do make sure you allow it to drain very well before cooking so there isn’t any extra moisture and you avoid ending up with soggy rice.
Serving Suggestions
More Side Dishes You May Like
Weight Watchers Points
There are 6 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.
Tools Needed
- Instant Pot.
- Measuring cups and spoons.
- Best ever sea salt flakes.
- A spatula for mixing and fluffing.
Get The Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe:
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice – Chipotle Copycat
Ingredients
Instructions
- Add the water, oil (if using), lime juice, lime zest and salt to the Instant Pot insert, followed by the rice. Mix together well.
- Close the Instant Pot and seal, select the pressure cook (or manual) button, select high pressure, and set the timer to 5 minutes.
- When done let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes before quickly releasing the rest of the pressure.
- Fluff the rice, add the chopped cilantro, and let stand for another 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Make sure to rinse the rice until it runs clear and drain well before cooking.
- Fluff and let the rice sit for a few minutes before before serving.
- Cook with broth – use broth instead of water for extra flavor.
- Add fragrant spices – add spices such as cumin or cinnamon sticks when cooking.
- Add lemon – a squeeze of lemon juice and some zest is a great addition to the lime.
- Add heat – some red pepper flakes or cayenne powder is an easy way to add heat.
- Use any variety of long grain rice you have on hand.
- Storage – store in an airtight container inside the fridge for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 6 weeks.
- There are 6 WW Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.
Michelle
My husband loves the rice at chipotle, I’ll have to make this for him soon!
Shanna
This tastes exactly like the rice for Chipotle. So good and I love that I can make it in my instant pot
Pam Greer
I’m always looking for flavorful side dishes to serve with tacos, this rice is perfect!
Kathryn
One of my favorite recipes. So easy to make — and perfect for so many dinners!
Michelle
I can’t believe how ridiculously easy this is to make in the instant pot.