This Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and only 115 calories! We lightened up this “copycat” chipotle cilantro lime rice recipe, so you can enjoy it anytime, without ruining your diet.
In this article, you’ll learn how to make cilantro lime rice low in calories, without sacrificing flavor or texture. Along with this chipotle rice copycat recipe, you’ll find a printable recipe card, shopping list, and more.


Famous for their white rice, chipotle makes a fantastic Mexican cilantro rice that’s packed full of flavor. We re-created this cilantro rice recipe, but cut calories, and fat from the original chipotle rice recipe.
Below, you’ll learn how to make this easy cilantro lime rice on the stove top, or in a rice cooker. And to make this lime and cilantro rice even easier, we’ve supplied you with a nutrition label, and a shopping list!
This copycat chipotle cilantro lime rice recipe is only 115 calories, and it’s vegan, and gluten-free!
“Copycat” Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
Lime cilantro rice goes great with almost everything, and in this article, you’ll learn how to make cilantro rice easily, and just 30 minutes.
You can make this copycat chipotle white rice recipe on the stove top, or in a rice cooker. You can even use the rice setting on your instant pot.
Along with directions on how to make chipotle rice in a rice cooker, and on the stove top, you’ll also find these helpful sections.
Use these helpful sections to make your cooking even easier, or skip ahead to the recipe card.
What You’ll Find in this Article:
- Ingredients in Lime and Cilantro Rice (shopping list!)
- How to Make Easy Cilantro Lime Rice
- “Copycat” Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe (recipe card!)
- Nutrition and Calories in Cilantro Rice Recipe
In the sections below, we will make this Mexican rice with cilantro as easy as possible.
We’ve included a shopping list for chipotle rice ingredients, how to guide, so you can learn how to make cilantro lime rice in the rice cooker. And a printable recipe card so you can have this chipotle copycat lime rice available anytime.
Up next, a shopping list for this low calorie cilantro lime rice recipe…
Ingredients in Lime and Cilantro Rice
You can make cilantro lime basmati rice, or cilantro lime jasmine rice, both styles of rice will work in this copycat chipotle cilantro lime rice recipe.
This Mexican lime rice cilantro recipe is extremely easy! It only calls for a few ingredients, making it low cost, and accessible to all.


Here’s a shopping list for the copycat chipotle white rice ingredients… Take a screenshot on your phone so you have it handy the next time you go to grocery store.
Shopping List for Easy Cilantro Lime Rice:
- Basmati rice
- Bay leaf
- Salt
- Lime
- Fresh cilantro
Special Tip: You can find all of the measurements in the recipe card below. There, you can choose how many servings of copycat chipotle lime rice recipe you want to make, and the recipe card will do all the math for you!
In the next section, you’ll learn how to make chipotle rice on the stove top, or in a rice cooker. You can even make this recipe for cilantro lime rice in the instant pot!
Up next, you’ll learn how to make cilantro lime rice low in calories, and in just 30 minutes.
How to Make Easy Cilantro Lime Rice
It’s easy to make a copy cut cilantro rice chipotle recipe. All you really need to do is cook the rice with a Bay leaf, and some salt. And then toss it in cilantro, and lime juice.
This Mexican lime rice cilantro recipe will quickly become a family favorite. To make things easier, you can freeze chopped cilantro, and lime juice in an ice cube tray. Then you have the fresh ingredients available to you anytime you want to make this copycat chipotle cilantro lime rice recipe.
It’s easy to make this cilantro rice recipe on the stove top, or in a rice cooker. If you want to make it in your instant pot, simply cook the rice, and the Bay leaf according to your favorite instant pot rice recipe, and then continue to step number three.
How to Make Cilantro Rice:
- In a small pot, or rice cooker, add rice, water, bay leaf and salt.
- Bring to a boil on high heat. Lower heat to low, cover and cook until the water soaks into the rice, about 30 minutes. (Or follow rice cooker directions)
- Remove the pot from the heat, remove and discard the bay leaf, and add the rice to a medium bowl.
- Add the salt, lime juice and chopped cilantro to the bowl and toss together.
- Serve hot.
Special Tip: You can find the directions, measurements, nutrition, and more in the shareable recipe card in the next section.
In the next section, you will find a shareable recipe card for this lime cilantro rice recipe. Email it to yourself or easy referencing later, or pin it to your Pinterest boards.
Up next, you’ll find a shareable recipe card for this homemade cilantro lime rice recipe…
“Copycat” Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
This “copycat” chipotle cilantro lime recipe is only 115 calories. It is also low in fat, gluten-free, and vegan!
Try this low calorie side dish for Mexican lime rice recipe, and start enjoying your favorite copycat rice recipe at home.


Low Calorie Cilantro Lime Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Juice of 1 lime
- 4 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro
Instructions
- In a small pot, or rice cooker, add rice, water, bay leaf and salt.
- Bring to a boil on high heat. Lower heat to low, cover and cook until the water soaks into the rice, about 30 minutes. (Or follow rice cooker directions)
- Remove the pot from the heat, remove and discard the bay leaf, and add the rice to a medium bowl.
- Add the salt, lime juice and chopped cilantro to the bowl and toss together.
- Serve hot.
Nutrition
Up next, nutrition and calories in cilantro rice recipes…
Nutrition and Calories in Cilantro Rice Recipe
Not all Mexican lime rice recipes are low in calories and healthy. Most actually I have quite a bit of oil, and are often high in calories, and fat.
But this low-calorie, lime rice cilantro recipe is healthy, and delicious. And has no oil in the recipe! Be sure to check out the low-calorie recipe above, and see more low-calorie side dish recipes in the following section.
The nutrition below is based off 1 serving (about 1/2 cup) of the Healthy “Copycat” Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice above.
Important Note: As a reminder, at Lose Weight By Eating it is our goal to make you healthier, all-natural versions of your favorite recipes… not all will be “diet worthy” depending on the diet you are on. But they will be healthier versions to help curb your cravings.


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Article History:
- Originally written and published on March 25, 2021 by Audrey Johns
- Updated on March 20, 2023 by Audrey Johns
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