Chipotle Rice Instant Pot Recipe

This fluffy tender Copycat Chipotle Rice Instant Pot Recipe is made with long-grain white rice, fresh cilantro, and citrus juice, and ready in 25 minutes. The bright scent of lime hits the air as you fluff the perfectly separated grains with a fork. I find making this at home saves me endless trips to the drive-thru.

Better Than Takeaway

For years, I struggled to get that distinct fast-casual rice texture at home. Cooking it on the stove often left me with a sticky, clumpy mess instead of distinct grains.

Switching to the pressure cooker changed everything for this side dish. Rinsing the rice first strips away the excess starch, leaving a base that absorbs the lemon and lime juice beautifully.

Jump to Recipe

Copycat Chipotle Rice Instant Pot Recipe Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice (or long-grain white rice)
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed

How To Make Copycat Chipotle Rice Instant Pot Recipe

1. Rinse the Rice: Place the rice in a fine-mesh strainer and run under cold water until the water runs clear, about 1 minute.
2. Pressure Cook: Add the rinsed rice, water, vegetable oil, and bay leaf to the Instant Pot. Secure the lid, set to high pressure, and cook for 3 minutes.
3. Release Pressure: Allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining steam.
4. Fluff and Season: Remove the bay leaf. Use a fork to fluff the rice, then stir in the salt, chopped cilantro, lime juice, and lemon juice.

Recipe Tips

• Rinse thoroughly: Washing the rice removes surface starch to prevent a gummy texture.
• Use fresh citrus: Bottled juice contains preservatives that alter the clean, bright flavor of the dish.
• Wait to add cilantro: Stirring the herbs in after cooking prevents them from turning brown and bitter under pressure.

What To Serve With Copycat Chipotle Rice

This pairs exceptionally well with grilled chicken, black beans, and fajita vegetables for a homemade burrito bowl. You can also wrap it inside large flour tortillas with shredded beef and salsa.

How To Store

Store leftover rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can freeze it in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months, adding a splash of water before reheating in the microwave.

FAQs

Can I use brown rice instead?

Yes, but the cooking time will increase significantly. Brown rice generally needs 22 minutes at high pressure.

Why did my rice trigger a burn warning?

This usually happens if the sealing ring isn’t tight or if you doubled the recipe without adjusting the liquid ratios properly.

Can I use chicken broth instead of water?

Absolutely. Chicken broth adds a richer savory depth, though water keeps the flavor profile closer to the restaurant version.

Nutrition

• Calories: 180 kcal
• Total Fat: 1.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Sodium: 290 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 37 g
• Protein: 3 g