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    Home » Real Food » Instant Pot » Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice

    Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice

    By Kristen Chidsey | 25 Comments | Published June 1, 2021 | Updated June 1, 2021 *This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice is a copycat version of Chipotle's rice but is made SUPER fast thanks to the instant pot. This rice turns out perfectly every single time and makes a great side dish or as a base for burritos or burrito bowls.

    Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice is a flavorful, simple recipe for rice made with fresh limes and cilantro.

    If you love Chipotle’s Cilantro Lime Rice, you will love this faster, easier version made in the Instant Pot. It is the perfect base for Burrito Bowls and of course a delicious side dish for Instant Pot Pork Tacos or Beef Tacos.

    Bowl of cilantrol lime rice next to instant pot.

    One of my favorite things to make in the Instant Pot is rice. Not only is Instant Pot Rice extremely easy to make, but the rice always turns out fluffy, chewy, nutty--everything good rice should be.

    I love to jazz up plain rice to make it something special, as I do for Instant Pot Spanish Rice. But MY FAVORITE recipe for rice is Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice.

    It is full of fresh cilantro and bright lime flavor--just like Chipotle's Cilantro Lime Rice. It is absolutely delicious and could not be easier to make when using the Instant Pot.

    Key Ingredients

    Ingredients for Cilantro Lime Rice on counter.
    • Rice: Use brown long-grain rice or white long-grain rice for this recipe. The recipe card will walk you through the different cook times for both varieties of rice.
    • Liquid: I have used water, vegetable broth, chicken stock, and even pineapple juice for this Cilantro Lime Rice. All work great. For an authentic tasting copycat version, I recommend using vegetable broth or water for the best results.
    • Limes: Fresh limes, both the zest and the juice, are a must for the best flavor.
    • Cilantro: Add chopped cilantro to the rice for a pop of flavor and color. I feel it is important to note that you can prepare this without the cilantro--for delicious lime-infused rice.

    How To Make Rice in Instant Pot

    • Place the rice into a colander and rinse until the water runs clear. This step is CRUCIAL to fluffy Instant Pot Rice that does not stick to the inner pan.
    Rinsed rice in colander
    • Pour in the broth or water into the inner pot of the Instant Pot. Stir in the salt and lime zest.
    • Add in rinsed, damp rice, and gently push down the rice with a spoon. DO NOT STIR!
    Brown Rice in Pressure Cooker
    • Place lid on the pressure cooker and be sure to point the valve to the sealed position.
    • For brown rice cook for 22 minutes on high pressure. For white rice cook for 3 minutes on high pressure. 
    • Once the cooking cycle is complete, let the pressure release naturally the entire way. If you do a quick release of pressure, the rice will be gummy and starchy.
    • Remove the lid from Instant Pot and add in fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro.
    • Fluff rice with a fork, as you incorporate flavors into cooked rice. Fluffing the rice with a fork versus stirring the rice keeps the rice from breaking down and getting mushy. 
    Bowl of cilantro lime rice next to fresh limes.

    Storage Instructions

    You can store leftover Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Alternatively, you can freeze the rice for up to 3 months in the freezer. Defrost in the refrigerator and use within 3 days.

    Ways to Serve with Cilantro Lime Rice

    • As a base for Burrito Bowls.
    • As a side dish for Tacos, Instant Pot Chicken Tacos, Instant Pot Carnitas, or Chicken Enchiladas.
    • Wrap ¼ cup of this Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice along with Copycat Chipotle Sofritas and mashed avocado in a store-bought or homemade tortilla for a delicious vegetarian burrito.
    • Serve with Instant Pot Beef Barbacoa to soak up all the delicious cooking liquid.
    • As a base for Instant Pot Mongolian Beef or Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken, for a bold, fresh contrast to the Chinese-American flavor of these recipes.

    If you enjoyed this copycat recipe of Cilantro Lime Rice, please take the time to leave a comment or a review. 

    Bowl of cilantrol lime rice next to fresh limes and the Instant Pot.

    Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice

    Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice is a copycat version of Chipolte's rice but is made SUPER fast thanks to the instant pot. This rice is perfect to serve as a side dish or as a base for burritos. 
    5 from 14 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 2 minutes
    Cook Time: 3 minutes
    Pressure Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 174kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups long-grain rice brown or white
    • 2 cups vegetable broth or water
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 tablespoon lime zest
    • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
    • ¼ cup cilantro chopped
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • Rinse and drain the rice well. 
    • Stir together the broth, lime zest and salt in the inner pot of the Instant Pot.
    • Add in the wet, rinsed rice and gently push rice down into stock to submerge. DO NOT STIR RICE.
    • Place the lid on the pressure cooker and be sure the vent knob is pointed towards sealed. 
    • For Brown Rice, cook on high pressure for 22 minutes. For White Rice, cook on high pressure for 3 minutes. 
    • Once the cooking time has elapsed, let the pressure release naturally.
    • Once the pressure has released fully, open the instant pot and add in the chopped cilantro and fresh lime juice. Fluff with a fork to incorporate.

    Equipment Needed

    • Electric Pressure Cooker (6 or 8 quart)

    Notes

    Feel free to use chicken or vegetable broth, pineapple juice, or water for Cilantro Lime Rice.
    If using stock that is not low sodium, omit salt and add at end of cooking if needed. 
    Leftover rice can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. 
    It is best to zest the lime before juicing. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 174kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 3g | Sodium: 557mg | Potassium: 62mg | Vitamin A: 175IU | Vitamin C: 2.6mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.4mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!

    This post was orginally published in 2018, but has been updated with new photos.

     

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    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jean

      May 03, 2022 at 6:07 pm

      Can this recipe be doubled or even tripled?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 04, 2022 at 6:39 am

        Hi Jean! This recipe can be doubled in a 6-quart and tripled if using an 8-quart Instant Pot. Remember the cooking time remains the same.

        Reply
    2. Genny Teixeira

      April 03, 2022 at 3:52 pm

      5 stars
      Oh. My. Goodness!!! YUUMMMMM!!! I just made this for dinner tonight and it is DEEEELISHHH!!! It is so flavorful! I did add a bit more lime juice and salt . Not too much, just for mine and my husband’s tastes. For the past 5 years I have been cooking brown rice in the instant pot according to another bloggers instructions and now I realize after following your recipe that I have been doing it all wrong. Following your instructions, my brown rice is soft and fluffy, not mushy or dry. Thank you so much for this recipe. This will be my go-to from now on!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        April 04, 2022 at 7:55 am

        YAY! I am so happy you had such great results Genny! Thanks so much for sharing.

        Reply
    3. Tricia

      July 02, 2021 at 7:11 pm

      Making this tonight for a party tomorrow. I’m cooking the rice now. Should I hold off on adding lime juice and cilantro until tomorrow? Or add it then refrigerate? Tips on reheating? (I’m using brown rice) thank you. This looks so good!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        July 03, 2021 at 7:14 am

        Hi Tricia! I realize I am responding in the morning, but adding the lime/cilantro right after cooking or right before serving both work--but I would lean slightly to adding before serving. As for reheating, I would place the rice into a heat-safe container and add a splash of vegetable stock and cover it with plastic wrap. Heat in the microwave for 1-minute intervals, stirring in between intervals to fluff it up. Enjoy!

        Reply
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