What oil does Chipotle use in their cilantro lime rice?

Chipotle uses rice bran oil — it has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point suitable for cooking rice. Vegetable oil or canola oil are the most readily available substitutes and produce an essentially identical result.

Does Chipotle serve white or brown rice?

Chipotle offers both long-grain white rice and brown rice at every location, both finished with fresh lime juice and cilantro. This recipe replicates the white rice. Brown rice takes about 45 minutes to cook versus 20 minutes for white.

How do you keep cilantro lime rice from getting mushy?

Rinse the raw rice under cold water for 30 seconds to remove excess surface starch, use a 1.5:1 water-to-rice ratio, keep the heat at the lowest setting once it starts simmering, and let the rice rest covered off heat for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork. Don't lift the lid while it cooks.

Can I make Chipotle cilantro lime rice ahead of time?

Yes — cilantro lime rice keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container. To reheat, add 1-2 tablespoons of water per cup of rice, cover, and microwave for 1-2 minutes, then fluff with a fork. It also freezes well for up to 2 months.

Chipotle Cilantro-Lime Rice

Name: Chipotle Cilantro-Lime Rice
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 2 cups long-grain white rice; 2 tablespoons rice bran oil (or vegetable oil); 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (about 1 lime); 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 3 cups water

Chipotle’s cilantro-lime rice is the unsung hero of every bowl and burrito. It is not just plain white rice — it has a bright citrus tang from fresh lime juice and a fresh herbal flavor from cilantro. These two additions transform basic rice into something that complements every protein and salsa on the menu.

Chipotle has shared their rice recipe publicly. It uses rice bran oil, which gives the grains a slightly nutty flavor and helps keep them separate. The rest is just lime juice, cilantro, and salt.

Why Make It at Home?

A side of rice at Chipotle is part of a $10-12 bowl. At home, 2 cups of dry rice costs about $0.50 and makes enough for 6 servings. Add a lime and some cilantro and you are still under $2 total. This is one of the cheapest and easiest restaurant dishes to replicate perfectly.

Tips & Variations

Use long-grain rice. Chipotle uses long-grain white rice, not jasmine or basmati. Long-grain rice has less starch and stays fluffy with distinct, separate grains.
Add the lime juice while the rice is hot. The hot rice absorbs the lime flavor much better than cold rice. Wait until it cools and the lime just sits on the surface.
Rice bran oil is worth finding. It has a high smoke point and a neutral, slightly nutty flavor that Chipotle specifically uses. Vegetable oil is a fine substitute, but rice bran oil is the authentic choice.
Make a big batch. This rice reheats well. Sprinkle a tablespoon of water over it before microwaving to restore the fluffy texture.

More Chipotle Recipes to Try

This rice is the foundation — build a complete Chipotle bowl around it:

Copycat Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl — the achiote-marinated grilled chicken that goes over this rice in the classic bowl.
Chipotle Barbacoa (Slow Cooker Recipe) — the braised beef option, slow-cooked with chipotles and adobo, shreds perfectly over this rice.
Chipotle Guacamole — worth making fresh while the rice cooks. The whole bowl is better with it.

See all Chipotle copycat recipes →

Chipotle Cilantro-Lime Rice