Description
This Cilantro Lime Rice recipe is a flavorful, easy-to-make side dish inspired by the popular Chipotle copycat style. With fragrant long grain rice, fresh lime juice, and vibrant chopped cilantro, it pairs perfectly with Mexican meals or can be enjoyed on its own as a light, refreshing dish.
Ingredients
Rice and Cooking Ingredients
- 1 cup extra long grain rice (jasmine rice or basmati rice)
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 teaspoons olive oil (divided)
Finishing Ingredients
- 1/2 lime (juice of)
- 3 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Combine Rice Ingredients: In a small or medium heavy pot with a tight fitted lid, add the rice, water, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, and kosher salt. This sets the base for perfectly cooked rice with a subtle hint of olive oil.
- Cook Rice: Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, let it continue until most of the water evaporates and just skims the top of the rice. Then cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Allow it to cook undisturbed for 15 minutes—no stirring or lifting the lid, so the steam can cook the rice evenly.
- Steam Rice: Shut off the heat and keep the pot covered for an additional 5 minutes without lifting the lid. This final steaming step ensures fluffy rice with a perfect texture. After 5 minutes, fluff the rice gently with a fork to separate the grains.
- Mix in Cilantro and Lime: In a medium bowl, combine the chopped cilantro, lime juice, the cooked rice, and the remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Toss thoroughly until everything is completely mixed to infuse the rice with bright, fresh flavors.
Notes
- For the best texture, use a heavy pot with a tight-fitting lid to trap steam during cooking.
- Do not stir the rice while cooking to avoid turning it sticky.
- Adjust lime juice and cilantro amounts to taste if desired.
- Jasmine or basmati rice work equally well and provide fragrant flavor profiles.
