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Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice

5 from 6 votes

This Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice is so aromatic, flavorful and easy to make! It's the perfect side for Mexican dishes like burritos, enchiladas, taco plates, fish or beans! Yum!

Craving for some Chipotle's cilantro lime rice? Well, in this post I am going to share the best Cilantro Lime rice recipe to accompany any Mexican meal. This Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice recipe is so easy to make, quick and made with simple pantry ingredients. The rice is so fragrant, lemony, and packed with fresh herb flavor from the cilantro leaves.

Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice

For non-pressure cooker users, just keep reading because I will show you how to make this Cilantro Lime rice on the stovetop.

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Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice Ingredients:

To make this Pressure Cooker Cilantro-Lime Rice recipe, you will need a good quality of long grain rice, cilantro, water or broth, lime and lime zest.

Any long grain rice such as American long-grain white rice, basmati rice, or Jasmine rice. This type of rice will stay fluffy and will separate after cooking. It has a firm and dry texture, making them the perfect choice for side dishes.

Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice

How to Cook this Cilantro Lime Rice in an Instant Pot:

This recipe works with any electric pressure cooker such as an Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi. The cooking process is very simple and quick. You only need to cook the rice at high pressure for 3 minutes, then naturally release the pressure for 10 minutes after cooking. The rice will be perfectly cooked with a nice texture to it.

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Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice

There are a few important steps to follow to make a good Cilantro Lime Rice.

  • First, you have to wash the rice to remove any debris and most importantly to remove the surface starch that will cause the rice to clump together and be mushy after cooking. I usually rinse the rice thoroughly until the water runs clear.
  • Second, similar to rice pilaf, you need to toast the rice in oil or any cooking fat prior to adding the water or broth. This will give the rice a rich and nutty flavor.
  • Third, to add the aromatic flavor to the rice, you need to add some fresh lime zest to the water prior to cooking the rice. Trust me, as soon as you finish pressure cooking and open the lid, it will make your home smell amazing!
  • Last, you will add the remaining fresh ingredients of cilantro and lime juice just before serving.
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice

Well, I hope that you'll enjoy this recipe! Don't forget to share and come back to review this recipe! 

📖 Recipe

Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice

Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice

Rika
This Instant Pot Cilantro-Lime Rice is so aromatic, flavorful and easy to make! It’s the perfect side for Mexican dishes like burritos, enchiladas, taco plates, fish or beans! Yum!
5 from 6 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American, Mexican
Servings 6
Calories 214 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • cups long grain white rice
  • cups broth , (or use water plus 1 teaspoon salt)
  • 2 tablespoon oil, (or butter)
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 3 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • zest of one lime
  • ¾ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves, (lightly packed, use more or less according to your liking)
  • salt and black pepper, (to taste)

Instructions
 

  • Rinse the rice under cold running water until the water runs clear; drain well. 
  • Press the “Sauté” function key. Select a temperature with the “Adjust” key for “Normal”.When Instant Pot reaches the given working temperature, it displays “Hot” and you can start sautéing.
  • Heat the oil, add rice, and saute for about 2 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and cook for about 45 seconds.
  • Add water or broth, and lime zest together in an Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi. Be sure to scrap the bottom of the pot to make sure there is nothing stuck on it and to prevent burning.
  • Follow the manufacturer's guide for locking the lid and preparing to cook. Set to pressure cook or manual on high for 3 minutes. After the cooking cycle finished, wait 10 minutes before moving the Venting Knob from Sealing Position to Venting Position to release the remaining pressure. 
  • Transfer the rice into a large bowl. Let it cool down for 10 minutes then use a fork to gently stir the rice and break up any obvious lumps.
    Pour lime juice over the rice and toss with chopped cilantro just before serving.

Notes

To Cook the Cilantro-Lime on the Stove:

  1. Heat oil in the large saucepan over medium-high heat. 
  2. Add white rice and saute for 2 minutes or until browned.
  3. Add garlic, cook until fragrant.
  4. Stir in about 2¼ cups of broth  or water plus 1 teaspoon salt,  lime zest and bring to a boil. 
  5. Lower the heat and cook undisturbed for 15 minutes or follow the cooking instructions on the product packaging. 
  6. Remove from the heat and let it cool down for 10 minutes. 
  7. Transfer the rice into a large bowl. Use a fork to gently stir the rice and break up any obvious lumps.
  8. Pour lime juice over the rice and toss with chopped cilantro just before serving. 

Nutrition

Calories: 214kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 3gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 7mgPotassium: 64mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 135IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 1mg
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Comments

    5 from 6 votes

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Rena says

    My daughter will love this recipe! I'm not a fan of cilantro or lime, but I know she will fix it often.

  2. Jenn @ EngineerMommy says

    This cilantro lime rice sounds so delicious to me. I totally love that it's made in the instant pot too - so convenient!!

  3. Swathi says

    5 stars
    I like this kind of simple flavorful one pot rice. Rice is my staple This perfect meal with piece of chicken or fish. yum.

  4. Agnes says

    I can eat anything with cilantro and this rice dish is just lovely. I will make one now, thanks for this!