Learn how to make Chipotle rice, the chain's signature cilantro-lime rice. You'll never wait in line for takeout again!
Here’s How to Make Chipotle Rice at Home
Updated on Jan. 09, 2023
We can’t get enough of Chipotle’s burritos. Whether we’re ordering our fixin’s wrapped in a tortilla, piled high in a bowl or served as a salad, there’s one thing we always order: the cilantro-lime rice. It tastes so good because it’s rich and flavorful, but unfortunately, it’s not as healthy as you’d think. (That’s not the only secret Chipotle employees won’t tell you.)
To make our copycat version better for you, we played around with the ingredients. In the end, we landed on a 5-ingredient recipe that’s definitely worthy of the original. Instead of adding butter, we’re using jasmine rice because of its naturally buttery flavor and aroma. It only took a couple more tweaks to make this dish exceptional!
How to Make Chipotle Rice at Home
A 4-ounce portion of Chipotle’s cilantro-lime rice clocks in at 210 calories, 4 grams of fat and 40 grams of carbs. Our recipe contains nearly half as many calories, no fat and 28 carbs without sacrificing any of the flavor.
Ingredients to make 3 cups of cooked rice:
- 1 cup uncooked jasmine rice
- 2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Step 1: Prepare the rice
There are two secrets to making our copycat cilantro-lime rice. The first is all about the type of liquid you use to cook the rice. Using homemade stock or reduced-sodium chicken broth adds a ton of flavor to the rice without amping up the salt content.
Prep the rice by placing both the rice and broth in a small saucepan and bringing it to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, covered, for 12-15 minutes until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
Step 2: Allow it to rest
Jasmine rice is notorious for sticking to the bottom of the saucepan, so we let the rice sit for 5 to 10 minutes before stirring. It takes a bit of patience and self-control, but it’ll be worth it when you have soft, fluffy grains!
Step 3: Fluff it up
It’s time to add your seasonings. Add the remaining ingredients to the rice and fluff the mixture with a fork. The lime juice and fresh cilantro are obvious, but the pinch of ground nutmeg is our second secret ingredient. This warming spice will seep into the grains, adding a slightly spicy aroma while also bringing out the rich flavor of the rice and enhancing the bright lime and herbaceous cilantro flavors. Yum!
Now it’s time to use that rice to build your own burrito or rice bowl with our favorite Chipotle copycat recipes. I don’t know about you, but I can’t get enough of that barbacoa!
More Chipotle Copycat Recipes
Chipotle Queso Blanco CopycatThis chile con queso recipe has a seriously cheesy vibe and packs the perfect level of heat. Serve it as an appetizer dip, or drizzle it over chips to make a knockout plate of nachos.
Ooey-gooey cheesy queso is great in bowls, burritos—even straight out of the cup! This copycat recipe tastes just like Chipotle's queso blanco, but if you want your queso to look more similar, use shredded white cheddar instead of yellow.
Editor's Tip: The famous Chipotle queso blanco is especially popular and personally, keeps us coming back for more. It’s creamy, cheesy, and perfectly spicy. The only downside? It will set you back a few bucks to add queso to your order.
Chipotle Guacamole Copycat
Chipotle's guacamole is legendary—and for good reason. The secret? Its freshness! Though many dips tend to improve the longer they sit, guacamole tastes best shortly after it's made, so the flavor of fresh avocado shines through the rest of the ingredients. Eating it right away also keeps guacamole from browning.
Chipotle Tomatillo-Green Chili Salsa CopycatLast year was the first time I had ever grown tomatillos. They were so abundant that I had enough to eat fresh, give away and freeze for future gatherings. What I didn't expect was how well the salsa would freeze. I do like to add an extra zip by juicing a fresh lime into the salsa after it has thawed. —Kim Banick, Salem, Oregon
Tomatillos may look like green tomatoes, but they're not the same thing. Instead, tomatillos are small, round and firm with a dense interior. When raw, tomatillos have a bright, extremely tart flavor that's somewhat reminiscent of limes. When roasted, tomatillos lose that acidic edge and become a little sweeter. They're the perfect addition to salsa.
Chipotle Rice CopycatMy family's favorite Mexican restaurant serves a similar rice as a side dish. I threw this together one night when I was making fajitas, and everyone loved it! It's such an easy side dish and pairs well with kabobs on the grill, too. —Robin Baskette, Lexington, Kentucky
Have you ever dreamed of going to Chipotle and eating nothing but a big, heaping bowl of fluffy cilantro-lime rice? Well, you can make that dream come true in your very own home with this simple five-ingredient recipe.
Chipotle Fresh Tomato Salsa CopycatThis quick-and-easy salsa tastes great as an accompaniment to meat dishes as well as with chips. I teach kindergarten and my husband is a county Extension agent. We've lived down here in the Imperial Valley for 30 years. I say "down here" because Holtville is 15 feet below sea level!
You only need five ingredients (plus salt and pepper) to make this vibrant salsa, which livens up just about everything it's paired with. Although this fresh tomato salsa is delicious the day it's made, it gets even better the longer it sits—double the recipe so you can snack on salsa and veggies or chips all week.
Chipotle Tomatillo-Red Chili Salsa CopycatMake the most of fresh tomatoes with this recipe for roasted salsa. It's so tasty, you might find yourself eating it right out of the bowl with a spoon!
This recipe isn't an exact replica of Chipotle's fiery red salsa, but it's a great "close enough" option if you don't have access to fresh tomatillos. If you like your salsa extra spicy, don't hold back when adding the hot sauce!
Chipotle Carnitas CopycatWe shared these flavor-packed tacos with friends from church who came over to help us move. They're so good, I put them on my blog, manilaspoon.com! The slow cooker makes this recipe extra easy, and I love that whenever I make it, I'm reminded of the wonderful people back in Michigan. —Abigail Raines, Hamden, Connecticut
Carnitas is arguably one of the most popular meats at Chipotle. Though there's no shortage of winning options on the menu, it was the irresistible slow-roasted spiced pork that put Chipotle on the map when it opened its first location in Denver, Colorado, in 1993.
Chipotle Steak Tacos CopycatZesty salsa and tender strips of steak make these traditional fajitas extra special. —Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah
Fire up the grill to make these Chipotle-inspired flank steak tacos, topped with a simple fresh salsa made explosive with fresh lime juice. For even more delicious acidity, serve these tacos with pickled red onions.
Chipotle Chicken Tacos Copycat with Avocado SalsaThis chicken taco recipe features a light, refreshing salsa made from avocados and corn. The chicken takes on the perfect combination of seasonings as you cook this dish; you may even want to make extra because it's just that good.
As good as these chicken tacos are, the real star of this copycat recipe is the easy-to-make avocado salsa, which you'll want to eat straight out of the bowl. Let your guests choose between crispy corn tortillas or soft flour tortillas, just like you would at Chipotle.
Chipotle Cheese Quesadillas CopycatWe serve these quesadillas as chili dippers or load them up with salsa and sour cream for a super starter. —Terri Keeney, Greeley, Colorado
If you don't want to worry about ordering a quesadilla ahead of time for pickup at Chipotle, you can make quesadillas at home instead. This is a basic, easy quesadilla recipe everyone should know how to make, and once you do, you can start experimenting with all sorts of additional fillings.
Chipotle Veggie Burrito CopycatNo one will miss the meat when you dish up these satisfying burritos bursting with a fresh-tasting filling. They’re fast to fix and won’t put a dent in your wallet. —Sharon W. Bickett, Chester, South Carolina
Perfect for meatless Mondays, no one will miss the meat when you dish up these satisfying burritos bursting with a fresh filling. Double the recipe, and you can eat the leftovers for Taco Tuesday! Include guacamole for an even closer copycat recipe.
