Cilantro Lime Brown Rice (Instant Pot & Stovetop)

This Cilantro Lime Brown Rice is easy to make and full of fresh, zesty flavor! Whether you cook it in the Instant Pot or stovetop, it has that signature Chipotle-style taste. It’s the perfect side dish or a flavorful base for burritos, bowls, or meal prep lunches.

Sometimes, the easiest recipes are the best! This copycat Chipotle cilantro lime rice has wonderful fresh flavors from cilantro and lime. Once you have this, you will not want to have plain rice.

I always had a hard time getting brown rice to cook perfectly on the stovetop. But since I got the Instant Pot, cooking brown rice has been a breeze. It always cooks perfectly. Now, once I made the cilantro lime version, we are hooked on it and always love to add fresh flavors.

I easily get bored with plain rice, so this chipotle cilantro lime brown rice is an excellent variation. You can also use it to make Mexican Rice and Beans Casserole, tacos, or burrito bowls. I like to add black beans or some salsa chicken when making the bowls.

If you are new to the Instant Pot, check out my beginner’s guide.

Watch How to Make Cilantro Lime Brown Rice

How to make Cilantro Lime Brown Rice in an Instant Pot?

This Cilantro Lime Brown rice has very basic ingredients that you might always have in your pantry – Brown Rice, Broth or Water, Lime, and Cilantro.

I use brown basmati rice in this recipe. However, other brown rice will work, too. Just make sure it is not the quick-cooking brown rice.

• Start with rinsing the brown rice in water. Then, add it to the Instant Pot.
• Add water or broth. I used water when making this recipe. The broth works great and adds wonderful flavor.
• Add salt and oil. I like to add a little oil, as it helps make the rice fluffy and each grain separate.

• Pressure cook for 22 minutes, followed by a 10-minute natural pressure release. This means letting the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then releasing the pressure manually.

• Now add in the lime juice, zest, and freshly chopped cilantro. I like to add the garnishes after pressure cooking so the cilantro remains fresh and the lime flavor is more prominent.
• Mix gently and enjoy the rice!

The rice is fluffy and perfectly cooked, bursting with cilantro and lime flavors.

How to cook Cilantro Lime Rice with White Rice?

Follow the same steps as above. Just change the cooking time to 4 minutes at high pressure. Everything else in the recipe remains the same.

How to cook Cilantro Lime Rice on the Stovetop?

Follow the package instructions to cook two cups of rice on the stovetop or in a rice cooker. Then add the lime juice, zest, and fresh cilantro to the rice. Gently stir with a rice paddle and enjoy!

What to Serve with Cilantro Lime Brown Rice?

Honestly, you can use this cilantro lime rice instead of plain rice in any meal.

• You can serve it with any Mexican meal, or even with kebabs, grilled chicken, or salmon.
• Use the rice as a base for burrito bowls or tacos with black beans, chicken, and fajita veggies. Pair them with guacamole or avocado cilantro crema and salsa.
• Pair it with enchiladas or quesadillas for dinner. Or serve alongside chicken fajita soup or taco soup.

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