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Better Than Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice (Fluffy Restaurant Style)

A mound of fluffy cilantro lime rice garnished generously with chopped cilantro and bright yellow lime zest.
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Make restaurant-style cilantro lime rice that is fluffy and zesty. This easy recipe rivals the popular Chipotle version and is perfect for weeknight bowls or as a Mexican rice side dish.

Ingredients

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  • 2 cups long-grain white rice (Jasmine recommended)
  • 2 1/2 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest

Instructions

  1. Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.
  2. Combine the rinsed rice, water, olive oil, and salt in a medium saucepan.
  3. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
  4. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the pot tightly, and simmer for 15 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time.
  5. Remove the pot from the heat and let it stand, covered, for 10 minutes. This step helps achieve fluffy cilantro lime rice.
  6. Fluff the cooked rice gently with a fork.
  7. Stir in the fresh lime juice, lime zest, and chopped fresh cilantro until evenly combined.
  8. Serve immediately as a zesty rice side dish.

Notes

  • For a rice cooker recipe, use a 1:1.5 rice-to-water ratio (2 cups rice to 3 cups water) and follow your cooker’s standard white rice setting, then stir in the lime and cilantro mixture after cooking.
  • Use fresh lime juice for the best bright, zesty flavor. Bottled juice changes the taste.
  • If you prefer a stronger lime flavor, increase the lime zest to 1 1/2 teaspoons.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://devourdish.com/cilantro-lime-rice-recipe-fluffy-zesty/