Cilantro Lime Rice Chipotle (Print Version)

Bright and zesty long-grain rice with fresh cilantro and lime for vibrant flavor in minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Rice

01 - 1 cup long-grain white rice

→ Liquids

02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
04 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice

→ Seasonings

05 - 1 teaspoon salt
06 - 1 teaspoon lime zest

→ Herbs

07 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Place the rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold running water until the water runs clear. Drain thoroughly to remove excess moisture.
02 - Chop the fresh cilantro leaves, zest the lime, and squeeze the lime juice. Set aside for later addition.
03 - Heat vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the rinsed rice and stir frequently for 1 to 2 minutes until lightly toasted.
04 - Add water and salt to the saucepan with toasted rice and stir once to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook undisturbed for about 15 minutes, until water is absorbed.
05 - Remove the saucepan from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 to 10 minutes. Then uncover and gently fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains.
06 - Drizzle lime juice over the warm rice, sprinkle lime zest, and fold in the chopped cilantro evenly. Adjust seasoning with additional salt or lime juice if desired.
07 - Serve immediately as a side or base for bowls and tacos. Cool leftovers completely before storing in an airtight container refrigerated up to 4 days. Reheat gently with a damp cloth over the rice to maintain moisture.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Toast the rice before cooking to enhance flavor and maintain grain separation.
02 - Avoid stirring during simmering to prevent gummy rice.
03 - Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan with a tight-fitting lid for even cooking.
04 - Reduce salt if serving with salty toppings.
05 - Add extra lime juice when reheating to refresh flavors.