Pineapple Cilantro Lime Rice: Ordinary rice is transformed into a side dish worthy of any fiesta with the addition of pineapple, cilantro, lime, and jalapeno.
Sometimes I get bored with having chips and salsa with my Mexican entrees.
Okay, that was totally a LIE!!
I don’t think I could ever get sick of chips! Especially chips with guacamole or taco dip.
BUT, there is time when a healthier side dish to my Mexican cuisine is in order, especially since I eat Mexican several times a week.
That is where I typically look to Chipotle Macaroni Salad or rice.
And plain rice makes a nice bed for my Chicken Chili or leftover Pork Carnitas. But when you infuse rice with some flavor, it becomes worthy of a dish that can be eaten all on its own.
Pineapple Cilantro Lime Rice
You have to be living under a rock to not know of Chipotle’s famous cilantro rice.
There are thousands of copycat recipes out there for Cilantro Lime Rice.
So what makes my recipe for Cilantro Rice so special?
My Cilantro Lime Rice has more flavor! TONS more flavor!!
I don’t just stop with the addition of cilantro, but I add jalapeno for kick, lime zest for a bright zip, and pineapple for a sweet contrast that pairs perfectly with any Mexican dish, like Steak or Chicken Fajitas.
Trust me, this is good. So good, you may skip the main course.
But then again, pineapple cilantro lime rice will make your main course THAT much more appetizing.
Notes on Cilantro Lime Brown Rice Recipe with Pineapple
- The addition of fresh pineapple in this lime brown rice is incredible, but you can certainly leave it out. You could also use canned pineapple tidbits or chunks in 100% juice. Use the pineapple juice for cooking the rice and the the pineapple chunks in the rice.
- Money Saving Tip: If I am using fresh pineapple for this pineapple rice, I drain the juice of a 20 ounce can of pineapple chunks to use for this recipe and then reserve the pineapple for a later meal/snack or a Pina Colada Smoothie.
- Omit the jalapeno to decrease on the spiciness of this cilantro rice, or leave the seeds in the jalapeno to kick up the level of spice.
- To get the most juice out of your lime, first zest the skin and then microwave your lime for 30 seconds. Then use the attachment of a kitchen mixer to juice your lime–you can see the video for that tip here.
- Instead of water, you can also use chicken stock with the pineapple juice to cook your rice in.
- Feel free to use jasmine rice, white rice, or wild rice for Cilantro Lime Rice recipe. Just follow the package instructions for length of time to cook your rice.
Instant Pot Directions for Cilantro Lime Rice
If you happen to have an electric pressure cooker, you can easily make this copycat cilantro rice.
- Place rice, pineapple juice, jalapeno, garlic and salt into your inner pot of your pressure cooker. Add in 1/2 cup water instead of 1 cup water–you need less liquid in a pressure cooker for cooking rice, because no moisture is evaporated.
- Set your pressure cooker to cook on high for 35 minutes for brown rice or 3 minutes on high for white or jasmine rice.
- Let pressure decrease naturally for 10-15 minutes and then do a quick release.
- Remove jalapeno and garlic cloves and stir in lime zest, lime juice, and cilantro into your rice and serve.
Recipe for Cilantro Lime Rice with Pineapple

Pineapple Cilantro Lime Rice
A copycat version of Chipotle's Cilantro Lime Rice with an added twist of fresh pineapple for extra flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1 cup water
- 1 jalapeno cut in half and seeded
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup brown rice
- 1 lime zest and juice
- 1 bunch of cilantro stems discarded and leaves chopped
Instructions
-
Bring pineapple juice, water, jalapeno, garlic and salt to a boil. Add in rice and lower to simmer. Cover and simmer for 50 minutes, or until rice is tender and absorbed.
-
Remove jalapeno.
-
Stir in zest and juice of lime and chopped cilantro.
-
Serve on the side or as the bed to a main course.
Recipe Notes
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice Directions
- Place rice, pineapple juice, jalapeno, garlic and salt into your inner pot of your pressure cooker. Add in 1/2 cup water instead of 1 cup water--you need less liquid in a pressure cooker for cooking rice, because no moisture is evaporated.
- Set your pressure cooker to cook on high for 35 minutes for brown rice or 3 minutes on high for white or jasmine rice.
- Let pressure decrease naturally for 10-15 minutes and then do a quick release.
- Remove jalapeno and garlic cloves and stir in lime zest, lime juice, and cilantro into your rice and serve.
Perfect Dishes to Serve with Cilantro Rice:
Easy Asian Fish Tacos with Ginger Slaw
Pork Carnitas with Mexican Slaw
This looks fantastic! I love the cilantro lime combination to begin with, but adding pineapple to it also sounds better.
Makes it so much better Marye 🙂
Pinocchio, your nose is getting longer. Ha ha. you had me going there for a second. I absolutely love chips and salsa too. Bring on the fiesta Kristen! Love this yummy Mexican side.
LOL! Yes Allie, I can NEVER give up my chips and salsa!
What a great idea to add pineapple to the cilantro lime combo!
Thanks Jessica! It adds so much flavor!!
I LOVE cilantro and lime together! I would eat this with everything!
Right there Lauren. This adds flavor to anything it accompanies!
Aha! Pineapple JUICE!! So smart. And I love that it’s brown rice. This is a winner for me as I never get sick of any kind of Mexican food but always want to try new too. Thanks for sharing this at #SaucySaturdays.
You bet Christine! The pineapple juice adds so so much flavor!
Rice, elevated! Awesome!!!
Thanks Jennifer!
This sounds like a great combination for a rice dish.I like to try different rice recipes.So,this is a great new recipe for me.Thanks for sharing.
I hope you love it Amila–it is so flavorful!
I love this! I really am digging the pineapple addition! This will be made very soon I’m sure! I would love for you to link up at tonight’s Throw Back Thursday party!
Thanks Alli, I will stop over to the party now 🙂
YUM! This looks absolutely fantastic! Pinned.