Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice

Transform boring cooked rice into something extraordinary with the addition of a few fresh, simple ingredients. This Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice recipe combines lime and cilantro into a flavorful rice that brightens up any dish. 

If you’re a fan of Chipotle’s Cilantro Lime Rice, you’ll love this easy recipe! It’s also pairs well with this easy crockpot Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa recipe.

Amazing flavor from the addition of cilantro and fresh limes makes it a wonderful base for Mexican food like Burritos or Burrito Bowls or Shrimp Bowls. It’s also the perfect side dish for Asian inspired dishes, also, like this Cashew Pork Stir Fry.

And the best part is, this rice cooks right in the Instant Pot- you can set it and forget it!

There are so many things to love about Instant Pot recipes. It’s great when you’re wanting to get a meal on the table in a hurry, which is perfect for busy weeknights.

Another great thing is it’s several appliances all in one, which is a huge kitchen space saver.

One of my favorite recipes to make in the Instant Pot is this restaurant style Cilantro Lime Rice. It creates consistent results for fluffy rice every single time.

Make a big batch because it’s a great option for meal prep!

You can even freeze it to use in a future rice dish. Portion out the cups of rice you have leftover and place them in Ziplock freezer bags or airtight containers and freeze for up to several months.

When you’re ready to thaw out a serving, just place a bag in some warm water for about 10 minutes and your rice will be ready!

Ingredients In Cilantro-Lime Rice

• 1 c. brown long-grain rice, rinsed until water runs clear
• 1¼ c. chicken broth, preferably organic (you can use chicken stock or vegetable broth)
• 3 T. fresh lime juice
• 1 T. lime zest, preferably organic
• ¼ c. fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
• 1 t. garlic powder
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

How to Make the Best Cilantro Lime Rice

1. Add rice and broth to Instant Pot container and stir to combine. Cover and secure lid into place. Set valve to “Sealing” and select the “Manual” and “High Pressure” settings. Adjust cook time to 22 minutes.
2. Once cook time is complete, do a natural release for 10 minutes, then do a quick release for any remaining pressure. 
3. Remove lid and stir in lime juice, lime zest, cilantro, and garlic powder.
4. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and stir to combine. If desired, allow flavors to combine for several minutes before serving. Enjoy

Why Do I Have to Rinse the Rice Before Cooking?

Rinsing the rice through a fine mesh strainer is recommended before cooking it because it removes some of the starch on the outside of the grains.

Extra starch is what causes rice to be sticky when cooked.

Can I use Other Types of Rice in This Recipe?

You can use any type of rice you prefer for this recipe, but the cooking time will vary depending on the type.

There’s a preset “Rice Button” on the Instant Pot you should use for regular white long grain rice. For all other types of rice use this guide for best results.

• Wild rice: 25-30 minutes
• Brown rice: 22-28 minutes
• White Basmati rice: 4-8 minutes
• Jasmine rice: 3-5 minutes

How do I Make this Cilantro Rice Vegetarian?

If you’re want to make a vegetarian version, just use vegetable stock in place of the chicken broth.

You can make this into vegetarian Instant Pot Coconut Rice by substituting the chicken broth for half water and half coconut milk.

Serve it in a bowl with black beans, corn, avocado and your favorite seasoning as a delicious vegetarian rice bowl or vegetarian lettuce wraps. It’s SO good!

Want More Easy Side Dish Recipes?

• Spicy Peach Mango Salsa
• Greek Quinoa Salad
• 30 Holiday Side Dishes
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• Buffalo Cauliflower Bites