Say goodbye to boring rice and hello to zesty perfection! Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice is bursting with fresh flavor—bright, citrusy lime and a sprinkle of vibrant cilantro make it the ultimate sidekick for any meal, any time.
Ready in 30 minutes with just 5 minutes of prep time. And you've got a fantastic side dish for any meal. Want to make this on the stove top? I've got you covered. Cilantro Lime Rice is a favorite on the stove top too!
It’s a popular copycat of Chipotle’s cilantro lime rice, an amazing side dish that is as delicious to eat as it is pretty to look at!
The fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro bring a zest and freshness that will complement a wide variety of main dishes.
Using an Instant Pot for this recipe, you can sauté the rice before you cook it in a little butter, giving you that great natural nutty flavor you can’t get from a rice cooker!
It’s an amazing restaurant-quality side that you can make from the comfort of your own home.
Whether you are crafting homemade burrito bowls, a hearty Mexican dish, or just needing a flavorful side, this cilantro lime rice is your go-to!
If you’re looking for more Mexican flavors, check out my Easy Taco Beef Casserole, Classic Refried Beans, Dorito Taco Salad, Pulled Pork BBQ Nachos, Cowboy Caviar, or my Fajita Steak Marinade!
Ingredients Needed for Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
- Butter. Use salted butter to add richness to the rice when browning it for an extra layer of flavor.
- Rice. Experiment with different types of rice like white, jasmine, basmati, or brown; just be sure to adjust the cooking time as needed.
- Chicken Broth. You can use water, but Chicken Broth will infuse the rice with so much extra flavor as it cooks. Vegetable broth can be a great substitute for a vegetarian version.
- Salt. Enhances the flavors of the dish.
- Lime Juice. Freshly squeezed lime juice is best for this recipe to bring that vibrant and authentic lime flavor.
- Chopped Cilantro. Use freshly chopped cilantro to give this dish it’s signature fresh flavor and fragrance.
- Cumin. Dried cumin adds a warm, earthy flavor, compliments the cilantro well, and brings extra flavor to the rice.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice in the Instant Pot
- Begin by heating your Instant Pot on the Saute setting until it reads "Hot." Add the butter and rice, allowing the rice to brown for about 4-5 minutes while stirring. This step will give your rice that extra nutty flavor and ensure a truly fluffy result.
- Once the rice has browned, turn off your Instant Pot. Add the chicken broth next, ensuring you deglaze the bottom of the inner pot thoroughly. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape any browned bits off the bottom; this is essential to avoid burning during the pressure cooking cycle. It also adds a ton of flavor to the dish.
- After deglazing, add the Salt, Lime Juice, Cilantro, and Cumin, and give it a good stir.
- Close the Lid, close the Seal Valve, and set on Pressure Cook for 6 minutes.
- Allow for a 6-minute Natural Pressure Release. This step is crucial as it continues to cook the rice with the remaining pressure and heat inside the pot.
- Finally, open the lid and fluff the rice gently with a fork. Your homemade, flavorful, and restaurant-style cilantro lime rice is ready to be enjoyed!
FAQs
Yes! Check out my post for Stovetop Cilantro Lime Rice with hints and tips for making it this way.
You can use these ingredients in a rice cooker, but you will need to adjust the cooking time according to the appliance’s instructions.
Yes, you can use leftover rice and give it new life! Simply sauté it with the rest of the ingredients until it is heated through, being careful not to overcook it.
Yes, you can double the recipe with the same results, but ensure you do not exceed the maximum fill line of the Instant Pot.
Fresh rice always tastes best, but if you’re planning ahead for a large gathering, it can be made up to a few days in advance and then reheated before serving.
This rice recipe is a side dish, and I find it will feed 4-6 servings, depending on how hungry everyone is!
What do I serve with Cilantro Lime Rice?
Cilantro Lime Rice pairs beautifully with a variety of mains, whether it's grilled chicken, steak, shrimp, or even tofu. Fresh lime and cilantro flavors will complement and elevate almost any main dish, so it’s a great recipe to have on hand. We love it served alongside Mexican flavors, especially. Some of my favorite mains for this side dish are:
- Oven Baked Chicken Fajitas
- Sweet Salsa Chicken Salad
- Navajo Tacos
- Spanish Rice
- Honey Lime Enchiladas
- Pork Street Tacos
- Ground Turkey Tacos
- Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos
- Ground Turkey Taco Lettuce Wrap
- Chicken Taquitos
- BBQ Chicken Tostada
- Fiesta Chicken Casserole
Storage & Freezing
Storage: Store leftover cilantro lime rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of water or chicken broth to prevent it from drying out. You can also add a little bit of butter to the rice to amp up the flavor if you like.
Freezing: This rice freezes well, so it’s a great recipe for meal prepping. Allow the rice to cool completely before portioning it into freezer bags or freezer-safe containers. Freeze it for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat well before serving.
Substitutions & Variations
- Rice. Try different kinds of rice such as brown rice, long grain rice, or short grain rice, adjusting cooking times accordingly.
- Chicken Broth. For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- Cilantro. If you are not a fan of cilantro, parsley is a good alternative, offering a different but equally fresh flavor.
- Add-ins. Feel free to experiment with additional ingredients like green onions, black beans, or a bay leaf for more flavor variations.
Pro Tips
- Use a different kind of rice. Using fragrant rice such as jasmine or basmati can elevate the dish significantly. If using brown rice, remember to adjust the cooking time as it takes longer to cook than white rice varieties. Choose whichever rice you think is best based on your budget and what you like or feel comfortable cooking.
- Fresh is best. Using fresh cilantro and freshly squeezed lime juice rather than pre-chopped or bottled can make a noticeable difference in flavor. The brightness and zest of fresh ingredients make the dish come alive, bringing you closer to that restaurant-style cilantro lime rice experience.
- Deglazing the pot. Scraping off any browned bits from the bottom of the pot is crucial. It prevents the “burn” warning on your Instant Pot and ensures an even and delightful flavor throughout the rice.
- Resist the temptation to do a quick release. Allowing a natural pressure release for 6 minutes is vital for achieving the perfect texture and ensuring the rice is fully cooked. Patience at this stage is rewarded with fluffy and flavorful rice!
- Homemade Burrito Bowl. Make a homemade burrito bowl with just a few add-ins to turn this side dish into a main! Try it with black beans, sweetcorn, salsa, chopped avocado, and your choice of protein. Don’t forget a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cheese on top to finish!
Have you tried this Cilantro and Lime Rice recipe?
Please leave a comment below if you have tried making this recipe. I love to hear from you and enjoy reading about what you think. Be sure to tag @devourdinner when posting to social media. I can't wait to see your photos!
More Easy Rice Recipes
- Mango Sticky Rice
- Instant Pot Lemon Pilaf Rice
- Instant Pot Brown Rice
- Savory Rice
- Spanish Rice
- Instant Pot White Rice
- Easy Japanese Rice Bowl
- Garlic Mushroom Rice Pilaf
- Wild Rice Pilaf
Instant Pot Cilantro Rice
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon Butter
- 1 ¼ cup Rice
- 1 ½ cup Chicken Broth
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoon Lime Juice
- 2 tablespoon Chopped Cilantro
- ½ teaspoon Cumin
Instructions
- Heat Instant Pot on Saute until it reads "Hot"
- Add Butter and Rice and allow rice to brown 4-5 minutes stirring
- Turn Instant Pot off
- Add chicken broth and deglaze bottom of pot. Scrape any burned bits off bottom with a wooden spoon or spatula.
- Add Salt, Lime Juice, Cilantro and Cumin and stir
- Close Lid and Close Seal Valve and set on Pressure Cook for 6 minutes
- Allow for a 6 minute Natural Pressure Release
- Open Lid and fluff rice with a fork
Notes
Nutrition Disclaimer
All nutrition values are approximate and calculated by a plugin and are provided as a courtesy. Adding or subtracting ingredients will change the nutritional value.
Submit a Comment