Cilantro-Lime Instant-Pot Rice (Chipotle Copycat)

This Cilantro-Lime Instant-Pot Rice tastes just like the one you get at Chipotle, with only three ingredients!

I have to admit it: I am a BIG fan of Chipotle. I don’t eat out much—generally because I believe I can replicate everything in a more healthy and cost-effective way at home—but if there is one thing I crave all the time, it’s a Chipotle burrito bowl.

I have a set order at Chipotle, and I always get the cilantro-lime rice. So, of course, I had to try my hand at making it at home. And there’s one great advantage in my kitchen: I have an Instant Pot. An Instant Pot is an excellent kitchen investment because not only can it cook a slab of ribs to perfection in an hour or so, but it can do double-duty as a perfect (and speedy!) rice cooker.

What I love about this cilantro-lime rice recipe is it’s as simple as cooking gets, but it brings a good bit of flavor to whatever you serve it with. If you can press a button, you can make this dish. The splash of lime complements the zingy cilantro flavor perfectly, and this rice goes so well with any grilled meat on top, or—of course—inside your favorite burrito.

Is Cilantro-Lime Instant-Pot Rice Healthy?

White rice isn’t the healthiest grain out there, but this recipe is fat-free and has no added sugar. The lime juice adds some vitamin C, and cilantro contains vitamins A, C, and K. Plus, cilantro leaves have folate, potassium, and manganese. This recipe is naturally gluten-free, low-sodium, and vegan, but I wouldn’t recommend it for folks watching their carb intake.

Which Rice Do I Use?

Which rice you use will ultimately depend on your preference in texture, flavor, and nutrition. There are so many types of white rice—short, medium, and long-grain; basmati, jasmine, arborio; the list goes on. If you’re including brown and wild rice types, that list gets far longer. Brown rice typically has more fiber and nutritional content, plus a more chewy texture, but brown rice does generally take longer to cook than white rice. For this recipe, I recommend white jasmine rice because it’s wonderfully fragrant and cooks quickly, but you could easily use another type of white rice. If you use brown rice, be sure to adjust your cooking time in the Instant Pot accordingly.

Serving Suggestions

This particular recipe makes a great side dish to any Mexican recipe. I particularly love pairing it up with either the Mexican Stuffed Zucchini With Avocado Salsa or the cheesy, saucy Instant-Pot Chicken Enchiladas. And of course, it’s essential if you are making your own version of a Chipotle burrito bowl at home.

This cilantro-lime rice doesn’t only go with Mexican food, however. Cilantro and lime are used in many culinary traditions worldwide, so be adventurous and try it as a bed for Thai Pineapple Paleo Chicken Curry With Coconut Milk or with these delicious Cuban Black Beans.

Recipe