I loved the unexpected tang of the lime and the barely-there heat of the chipotle pepper. This rice recipe is the perfect accompaniment to any Mexican, Tex-Mex or Southwestern meal.

Chipotle Rice Recipe

Rice is a classic staple side dish on its own but if you’re looking for a way to literally spice up the ordinary, chipotle lime rice might be just the thing. With just a couple extra steps a simple bowl of rice is transformed into a tangy and lightly spiced accompaniment to your meal. After cooking rice as you usually would, you just drizzle it with a combination of olive oil and the sauce from a can of chipotle peppers. Top with cilantro or parsley if you like and serve this rice with a fresh lime wedge on the side. The addition of finely chopped cilantro or parsley adds wonderful color to the brown rice along with a little zip of fresh flavor. That said, it’s not strictly necessary and the rice will still taste good without it. The chipotle sauce adds a ton of smokiness and flavor without making this rice too spicy or overpowering. Even the members of my family who aren’t as keen on spicy food loved this rice! Leftovers of this rice can be easily reheated for lunch or dinner the second day. You can also toss the rice into a salad, wrap or burrito with your favorite fixing. However you serve it, it’s sure to be a hit.

Chipotle and Lime Recipes

I am really enjoying the combination of smokey heat and tangy lime this week. This would be delicious with the Chili Lime Corn on the Cob and it was perfect with this Chipotle Lime Salmon for dinner last night. If you like the flavors in this rice recipe, you also need to give Chipotle Chicken Kabobs with Avocado Cream Sauce a try. Great for a family meal or as a party food, they showcase that delicious chipotle and lime flavor combo so well. I’ve got my eye on this Chipotle Lime Cranberry Sauce to try Thanksgiving and Christmas meals next year! I can imagine the tart-sweet cranberries and lime mixed with heat from the peppers is marvelous.

Cilantro Lime Rice

Cilantro and lime are always a hit when combined in different recipes. The freshness of the cilantro and tangy tart lime taste are a magical combination. There are a couple other cilantro lime rice recipes that we make frequently and love as well. This Pineapple Rice with Cilantro and Lime is a kid favorite and we all enjoy this Oven Baked Cilantro Lime Rice. Cilantro fans should also give this Jalapeno Corn Coleslaw a try. It would be phenomenal served with chicken, beef or salmon and a big helping of Chipotle Lime Rice. And for those instances when you know your salad could be improved with a zesty creamy dressing, I think this Cilantro and Lime Dressing from Fifteen Spatulas would be just the thing.

Chipotle Lime Rice

{originally published 8/19/12 – recipe notes and photos updated 9/30/19}

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