• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Budget Delicious
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
  • All Recipes
  • Easy Chicken Recipes
    • Breast
    • Thigh
    • Whole Chicken
    • Drumstick
    • Wings
    • Ground Chicken
  • Air Fryer
  • Instant Pot
  • Subscribe By Email
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • All Recipes
  • Free Ebook
  • Easy Chicken Recipes
    • Chicken Breast Recipes
    • Chicken Thigh Recipes
    • Chicken Drumstick Recipes
    • Chicken Wing Recipes
    • Whole Chicken Recipes
    • Ground Chicken Recipes
  • Air Fryer Recipes
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Subscribe
×

Home » Instant Pot Recipes » Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice – Chipotle Copycat

Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice – Chipotle Copycat

Last Updated on October 9, 2021 by Bintu. 5 Comments

Jump to Recipe
Post may contain affiliate links. For more information, check my disclosure

Sharing is caring!

a bowl of cilantro rice garnished with lime

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.

top down view of the finished Instant pot Cilantro Lime Rice served in a bowl with a silver serving spoon

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
  • Ingredients Notes
  • How To Cook Cilantro Lime Rice Instant Pot
  • Tips For Success
  • Delicious Variations
  • Budget Friendly Tips
  • Storage and Meal Prep
  • FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • More Side Dishes You May Like
  • Weight Watchers Points
  • Tools Needed
  • Get The Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe:
  • Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice – Chipotle Copycat

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.
instant pot cheat sheet banner in green

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.
the ingredients needed for making cilantro lime rice instant pot

How To Cook Cilantro Lime Rice Instant Pot

Get full ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

  1. Add the water, oil (if using), lime juice, lime zest, and salt into the Instant Pot insert, followed by the rice. Mix together well.
  2. Close the Instant Pot and seal, select the pressure cook (or manual) button, select high pressure, and set the timer to 5 minutes.
  3. When done let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes before quickly releasing the rest of the pressure.
  4. 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. 

image collage showing the steps for making instant pot cilantro lime rice

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.
cilantro lime rice in the instant pot

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.
the finished cilantro lime rice inside a glass food storage container

FAQs

Should You Wash The Rice Before Cooking?

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.

Should You Rinse Your Rice Before Adding it to the Instant Pot? 

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

  • Instant Pot Chicken Enchiladas.
  • Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas.
  • 5 Ingredient Chicken Fajita Casserole.

More Side Dishes You May Like

  • Instant Pot Red Potatoes.
  • Instant Pot Coconut Rice.
  • Ramen Noodle Stir Fry.
  • Smothered Green Beans.

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:

top down view of the completed instant pot cilantro lime rice

Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice – Chipotle Copycat

A flavorful side dish that is so quick and easy to make!
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate Save RecipeSaved!
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Mexican, Western
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 185kcal
Author: Bintu Hardy | Budget Delicious

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (500g) rice basmati rinsed and drained
  • 2 ¾ cups (650ml) water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil optional
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • zest of 1 lime
  • salt to taste
  • ½ cup (50g) chopped cilantro leaves

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 185kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 63mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 69IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg
« Rainbow Fruit Spritzer Mocktail
Peanut Butter And Jelly TikTok Baked Oats (3 ways) – Oven, Air Fryer, Instant Pot »

Subscribe

for your weekly recipe fix.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Michelle

    April 05, 2021 at 6:55 pm

    5 stars
    My husband loves the rice at chipotle, I’ll have to make this for him soon!

    Reply
  2. Shanna

    April 05, 2021 at 7:00 pm

    5 stars
    This tastes exactly like the rice for Chipotle. So good and I love that I can make it in my instant pot

    Reply
  3. Pam Greer

    April 05, 2021 at 7:14 pm

    5 stars
    I’m always looking for flavorful side dishes to serve with tacos, this rice is perfect!

    Reply
  4. Kathryn

    April 05, 2021 at 8:06 pm

    5 stars
    One of my favorite recipes. So easy to make — and perfect for so many dinners!

    Reply
  5. Michelle

    April 07, 2021 at 3:02 am

    5 stars
    I can’t believe how ridiculously easy this is to make in the instant pot.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Welcome, Y’all!

Hi am Bintu and glad to meet you. You will find delicious easy recipes on a budget. Includes easy chicken recipes, easy Instant Pot recipes, easy Air Fryer recipes with simple ingredients loved by the whole family. Let's dig deeper →

Bintu: View My Blog Posts
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Snapchat
  • Twitter

Dinner Tonight

top down view of the finished marry me chicken recipe

Marry Me Chicken

top down view of the completed chicken florentine recipe

Creamy Chicken Florentine

top down view of a bowl filled with wendys chili recipe

Wendy’s Chili Recipe Copycat

one honey garlic chicken tender on a spatula being removed from a pan

Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders

Reader Favorites

close up view of the finished crockpot buffalo chicken dip served in a ceramic bowl

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip

top down view of the completed fajita casserole with chicken

Easy Chicken Fajita Casserole

top down view of the finished instant pot red potatoes inside a pressure cooker

Dump And Start Garlic Butter Instant Pot Red Potatoes

two pieces of cinnamon chicken served with rice in a blue ceramic bowl

Cinnamon Chicken

the finished whole chicken in air fryer basket

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Instant Pot Chicken Spaghetti in an instant pot with herb garnish

Dump And Start Instant Pot Chicken Spaghetti

Recent Posts

  • The Best Chicken Wings Recipes
  • Frozen Chicken Wings In Air Fryer
  • Garlic Parmesan Wings  
  • Oven Baked Chicken Wings 
  • Lemon Pepper Wings

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2021 Budget Delicious