• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Kitchen at Hoskins
  • Halloween
  • Recipes
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Mother's Day Recipes
  • Recipes
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Mother's Day Recipes
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Rice

    Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice

    Published: Feb 2, 2024 · Modified: Jan 17, 2025 by Maria Doss · This post may contain affiliate links · 15 Comments

    pinterest image.

    This Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice recipe is simple yet bursting with flavor, and is ready in under 20 minutes. With perfectly cooked rice infused with fresh lime and cilantro, it rivals the rice from Chipotle!

    Jump to Recipe

    cooked cilantro lime rice in a blue bowl along with a black spoon.

    As in most of my rice recipes, I like to saute the rice in a bit of oil or butter, before adding the liquid to enhance the cilantro rice flavor and make it exceptional.

    This instant pot cilantro rice is absolutely delicious in all authentic Mexican food dishes. The lime and cilantro give this rice a bright, fresh flavor. It’s one of my favorite Mexican side dish recipes.

    Also known as Chipotle white rice, one of the key flavoring ingredients is lime zest, extracted from the outermost green part of the skin. The oils in the lime skin impart a fragrant lime flavor containing all the essential oils and essence. Ensure to zest only the green part, avoiding the white underneath, as it may add bitterness.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love it?
    • Ingredients
    • Variations
    • How to make?
    • How to serve?
    • How to store leftovers?
    • Helpful tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More insant pot rice recipes
    • Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice

    Why you'll love it?

    • Fresh, zesty and super flavorful
    • One pot rice recipe
    • Ready in under 20 minutes
    • Rivals Chipotle cilantro rice
    • An excellent accompaniment to a variety of homemade Mexican dishes

    Ingredients

    Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.

    ingredients needed to make cilantro lime rice.
    • Rice - I love the texture and flavor of basmati rice to make the best cilantro lime rice.
    • Lime - Fresh limes are essential for optimal flavor, both their zest and juice. The zest provides fragrance and flavor, while the juice contributes tanginess.
    • Chicken stock - I prefer using stock with 33% reduced sodium to control the salt level. If you opt for a different stock variety, adjust seasoning according to your taste.
    • Cilantro - Chopped fresh cilantro adds a burst of flavor and vibrant color. When you chop cilantro, I recommend using both the stems and leaves, because the stems have great flavor.
    • Onion - Just a ¼ cup of onion adds so much flavor when cooked along with the garlic.
    • Garlic -I typically use two to three cloves of finely chopped garlic per cup of rice as I love the added depth of flavor it brings.
    • Oil - Just a tablespoon of vegetable oil for sauteing.

    Pro tip: Various types of rice have different cooking times and water-to-rice ratios. For both white and brown rice, the ratio is typically 1:1. However, when making using brown rice, pressure cook at high pressure for 15 minutes, followed by a natural release for 5 minutes, then quick Release.

    Variations

    • Brown rice - To make it with brown rice, maintain the water ratio as usual. Adjust the cooking time by pressure cooking on high for 15 minutes, followed by a natural release for 5 minutes, and then a quick release.
    • Quinoa - For a protein packed Mexican side dish. Refer to my instant pot quinoa recipe for instructions.
    • Cauliflower rice - For a low-carb alternative.

    How to make?

    You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.

    two photo collage of cooking cilantro lime rice in instant pot.
    two photo collage of cooking cilantro lime rice in instant pot.

    1.Set Instant pot to saute setting. Once hot, add vegetable oil and then onion and garlic. Saute for about 2 minutes, until garlic begins to turn golden. 

    2. Add rinsed and drained rice and continue to saute for about 30 seconds.

    Tip: Sauteing the rice in oil brings out nutty undertones, preserves the integrity of each grain, and prevents clumping.

    3. Stir in stock, salt and lime zest.

    4. Close instant pot and cook for 3 minutes in then in warm mode for 10 minutes.

    Pro tip: I prefer not to use rice function as it defaults to low pressure in some models and might make your rice mushy.

    Want To Save This Recipe?

    Enter your email below, and we’ll send the link straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get more creative recipe ideas every Sunday!

    a hand adding cilantro into an instant pot.

    5. Remove the lid and stir in lime juice and cilantro. Fluff the rice with a fork to gently incorporate the flavors.

    Tip: Fluffing with a fork instead of stirring helps prevent the rice from breaking down and becoming mushy.

    cooked cilantro lime rice in an instant pot.

    How to serve?

    Serve this homemade cilantro lime rice with all Mexican-inspired dishes like chickpeas rice bowl or chicken rice bowl. Other serving suggestions include:

    • Top it with chopped-up chicken used in the air fryer chicken tacos recipe.
    • Make your own burrito bowls with black beans, grilled vegetables, salsa, and your choice of protein, as we did in our chicken burrito bowl.
    • Wrapped in a burrito or taco.
    • Paired with your favorite Mexican or Tex-Mex dishes like spicy shrimp tacos or Mexican chicken thighs.

    How to store leftovers?

    If you happen to have leftover rice, be sure to cool it fully and then transfer it to an airtight container.

    • Fridge: You can store in the fridge for up to 5 days. 
    • Freezer: Freezing in individual portions is a convenient way to expedite dinner on hectic days. It typically remains freezer-friendly for 1-2 months.
    • To reheat: When ready to use, thaw frozen cilantro rice in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Reheat the rice in the microwave or stovetop with a splash of water or broth to prevent it from drying out. Stir occasionally until heated through.

    Helpful tips

    • Salt depends on the kind of stock used and your taste preference. I used 33% less sodium chicken stock and used ¾ teaspoon salt. 
    • You can make a double batch os this recipe using the same ratio of rice and water. The cook time will remain the same. 

    Recipe FAQs

    Is it necessary to rinse the rice before cooking in the Instant Pot?

    Yes! Rinsing helps remove excess starch from the grains, which can prevent them from sticking together or mushy in texture. Additionally, rinsing can help improve the overall texture and fluffiness of the cooked rice.

    How do I adjust the cooking time if using brown rice instead of white rice?

    When preparing using brown rice, maintain the water ratio as usual. Adjust the cooking time by pressure cooking on high for 15 minutes, followed by a natural release for 5 minutes, and then a quick release.

    Can I substitute lemon for lime in this recipe?

    Yes, you can substitute lemon for lime in the recipe. However, be aware that lemons typically have a slightly sweeter and less acidic taste with a floral aroma compared to limes. Limes are known for their distinct bright and vibrant flavor, which can add a unique zing to dishes.

    cooked cilantro lime rice in a blue bowl along with a black spoon.
    cooked cilantro lime rice in a blue bowl along with a black spoon.

    More insant pot rice recipes

    • rice pudding in a glass bowl along with a black spoon.
      Instant Pot Rice Pudding
    • cooked white sushi rice in a pink bowl.
      Instant Pot Sushi Rice
    • Instant Pot Thai Chicken Fried Rice
    • instant pot chicken fried rice
      Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice
    cooked cilantro lime rice in a blue bowl along with a black spoon.

    Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice

    This Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice recipe is simple yet bursting with flavor, and is ready in under 20 minutes. With perfectly cooked rice infused with fresh lime and cilantro, it rivals the rice from Chipotle!
    4.9 from 10 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 4 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 19 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 Servings
    Calories: 58kcal
    Author: Maria Doss

    Equipment

    • instant pot

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup basmati or jasmine rice
    • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
    • ¼ cup chopped onion
    • 2 garlic cloves chopped
    • 1 cup chicken stock I used 33% reduced sodium chicken stock
    • ½ to ¾ teaspoon salt
    • zest of one lime
    • juice of 1 and ½ limes
    • ½ cup chopped cilantro
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Rinse rice: Place measured rice in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold running water, agitating gently until water runs clear. Drain excess water.
    • Set Instant pot to saute setting. Once hot, add vegetable oil and then onion and garlic. Saute for about 2 minutes, until garlic begins to turn golden. 
    • Add drained rice and continue to saute for about 30 seconds.
    • Stir in stock, salt and lime zest. Close, lock lid and make sure the valve is set to sealing. Pressure cook at high pressure for 3 minutes, then natural release for 10 minutes. Turn knob to venting position to release the remaining pressure.
    • Open lid and stir in lime juice and cilantro. Fluff rice with a fork, then serve warm.

    Notes

    Salt depends on the kind of stock used and your taste preference. I used 33% less sodium chicken stock and used ¾ teaspoon salt. 
    You can make a double batch using the same ratio of rice and water. The cook time will remain the same. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 Serving | Calories: 58kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 378mg | Potassium: 94mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 137IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.2mg

    Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.

    Did you make this recipe?Mention @KitchenAtHoskins or tag #kitchenathoskins!

    Recipe adapted from Pioneer woman

    Some of the links above are affiliate links, which pay me a small commission for my referral at no extra cost to you! Thank you for supporting kitchenathoskins.com

    All contents and images are my original work, unless and otherwise mentioned. Please do not use my recipes or images without linking back to www.kitchenathoskins.com. If you wish to republish a recipe, please rewrite in your own words and don’t forget to include a link back to the original recipe.

    « Almond Bars
    Mexican Chickpeas »
    • Facebook
    • Flipboard

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats

      February 27, 2018 at 1:55 pm

      This rice looks so fluffy!! I love any kind of Mexican food 🙂 I am jealous I don’t have an Instant Pot yet. I just need to buy one!!

      Reply
      • Maria Doss

        February 27, 2018 at 11:21 pm

        Thanks Kelly. It took a while for me to get used to it, but so love my Insta pot now.

        Reply
    2. Kim | The Baking ChocolaTess

      February 27, 2018 at 11:44 pm

      I just got an air fryer, but I still need that insta pot! My family would love this for sure and I'm so anxious to try it! Quick and delicious!! YUM!!

      Reply
      • Maria Doss

        March 01, 2018 at 5:25 am

        I got an Insta pot only last Christmas and loving it ever since:)

        Reply
    3. heather (delicious not gorgeous)

      March 02, 2018 at 3:05 am

      i'm a sucker for flavored rice! i'm not the kind of person to eat a plain bowl of rice, but i'd happily make a meal out of a bowl of this (:

      Reply
    4. Lori

      November 26, 2018 at 2:44 am

      Highly recommend this one. I use Basmati brown rice and set rice setting for 25 minutes. I double the recipe and freeze leftovers. It’s truly amazing!

      Reply
      • Maria Doss

        November 26, 2018 at 4:00 am

        So glad that you liked it hun:)

        Reply
    5. Aryana

      March 10, 2019 at 3:13 pm

      Could you use a slow cooker or would that not work? Don’t got an insta prob yet :((.

      Reply
      • Maria Doss

        March 11, 2019 at 2:17 pm

        Hi Aryana, I do not have any experience with a slow cooker. But, I found these impressive methods online that should work -
        1. https://www.thespruceeats.com/simple-crock-pot-rice-recipe-2098664
        2. https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/perfect-crock-pot-rice-16465
        If you are adopting any of the above methods, then begin by sautéing the onion and garlic on a skillet and then transfer it along with rice and all other ingredients (increase stock as per the above suggestion).
        -Hope it helps:)

        Reply
    6. Jessica

      June 02, 2019 at 10:08 pm

      How would you adjust the cooking time if you wanted to double it ? We loved it!

      Reply
      • Maria Doss

        June 03, 2019 at 1:11 pm

        Thank you Jessica. As a general rule when doubling any Instant Pot recipe, you DO NOT CHANGE THE COOKING TIME. The instant pot will take additional time when coming to pressure, which will compensate for the quantity. Hope it helps:)

        Reply
    7. Kristina

      July 25, 2019 at 1:40 am

      5 stars
      I make this weekly for my family. So simple and delicious!

      Reply
    8. Mariam

      July 17, 2021 at 6:08 pm

      5 stars
      This was incredible. Literally, the pot was finished in 10 minutes. Is there a way to double this recipe. It's great as a meal and my family wanted more!

      Reply
      • Maria Doss

        July 19, 2021 at 2:24 pm

        Hi Mariam, Glad that your family enjoyed the rice. I would suggest doubling the recipe, if using a larger Instant pot (6 or 8 quart). Please note that the cooking time doesn't need to altered, hope it helps - Maria

        Reply
    9. Carol Latta

      December 29, 2024 at 7:42 pm

      I’ve pinned several Cilantro Lime Rice recipes, but I think this will be my go-to. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision to serve this with a store-bought cilantro lime chicken dish (Kevin’s) and I had to sub a couple of things. I didn’t have limes or fresh cilantro on hand so I tried dried cilantro and 3 or 4 packets of Tru-Lime. I’m sure it’s even better with the fresh ingredients, but didn’t disappoint at all!

      Reply
    4.91 from 10 votes (7 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome

    Hi, I'm Maria! I'm excited to share with you creative twists on classic Indian, American, and global dishes—perfect for easy family meals or unique dishes to impress guests!

    Read more ->

    Mothers Day Recipes

    • 12 mini banana muffins in a metal muffin pan.
      Mini Banana Muffins
    • 5 almond flour lemon cookies in a white fluted plate.
      Almond Flour Lemon Cookies
    • Make Mom Melt with These Irresistible Chocolate Recipes!
    • 23 Ways to Wow Mom at Brunch (Without Breaking a Sweat)

    New Recipes

    • black plate with 3 waffles with a slab of butter and syrup.
      Easy Blender Apple Waffles
    • cooked garlic fried rice in two blue bowls along with a black spoon.
      Garlic Fried Rice
    • white buttered noodles in a round white plate along with a black fork.
      Garlic butter Ramen Noodles
    • breakfast cookies placed on a wire rack.
      Breakfast Cookies
    • green sauce in a black bowl along with a black spoon.
      Cilantro Lime Sauce
    • grey bowl with brown date balls.
      Date Balls

    Footer

    Copyright © 2024 CANDY GINGER LLC  Privacy policy

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    201 shares

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.