Pressure Cooker Cilantro Lime Rice

My family loves Chipotle’s Cilantro Lime Rice so I have tried my best to replicate the flavors of the popular restaurant’s delicious side dish.

This recipe is an easy one because it is made in a pressure cooker. I don’t have the Instant Pot model, but this will work in any electric pressure cooker. My pressure cooker is one that was purchased at Walmart years ago that I enjoy for all kinds of recipes like Pressure Cooker Baked Potatoes and Pressure Cooker Steamed Broccoli.

If you don’t have a pressure cooker you can still make delicious Cilantro Lime Rice at home on top of your stove. I recommend rinsing the rise multiple times until the water is clear so that the starch is washed away from the grain. This step helps you to create a fluffier rice on the stove. The beauty of using my pressure cooker is that I always have perfectly cooked, fluffy rice without needing to rinse it.

I know that some recipes add the cilantro and lime during the cooking stage, but I prefer to mix those ingredients into the hot freshly cooked rice so that the cilantro doesn’t wilt. I also love using chicken broth for my rice in place of water because it adds so much more flavor. Use or lose this suggestion when making your Cilantro Lime Rice, but don’t omit the salt if you decide to use plain water.

I hope that you’ll try this recipe today and leave a comment below. Also, for daily updates follow @lifeabovethecafe on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest using the social media icons found on this page.

Ingredients:

• 1 & 1/2 cups of long grain white rice
• 1 Tbsp. of unsalted butter
• 1 & 3/4 cup of chicken broth or water
• 1/2 tsp. of salt (if using water)
• 1/4 cup of finely chopped cilantro
• Juice of 1 lime (use half if you prefer a milder citrus flavor)

Directions:

Note – the cook time above includes the time required for the pressure cooker to come up to pressure and the time that is required for the natural release.  Once the rice is sauteed and the lid is place on top of the unit, the cook time selected for the rice will be 4 minutes.

To saute the rice, press the cook button and set the timer for 3 minutes.  Melt the butter and add the raw rice to the pressure cooker.  Saute the rice, stirring constantly.  Once the three minutes cook cycle is up press the cancel button.

Carefully pour in the chicken broth or water and salt (it may create steam as the liquid is added). Place the lid on the pressure cooker, close the valve, and then press the rice button and set the cook time to 4 minutes.  At the end of the 4 minute pressure cooking cycle allow for a natural release.  Open the lid and fluff the rice.  No water should remain.  Dump the rice into a serving bowl and sprinkle the cilantro across the top of the rice and add the juice from one lime.  Fluff the rice and serve it.  Note – if you prefer, only add 1/2 of the lime juice at first, taste it to see if you would like a stronger lime flavor, and then add the remaining lime juice.

A helpful tip for getting the most juice from limes is to warm them in the microwave for 15 to 30 seconds, roll them under your palm on the counter while pushing down, and then cut and juice them.

If keeping the rice in the pressure cooker until ready to serve, remember to unplug or turn off the pressure cooker. My model has a keep warm button and it will cause the rice to dry out if it is left in the pot, which will cause it to stick and burn to the bottom of the inner pot.

This recipe will yield about 3 cups of fluffy white rice.  Refrigerate leftovers immediately.

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