Made with just 2 main ingredients, this protein rice is easy to make in the Instant Pot - foolproof in fact. It’s versatile and can be doctored up with whatever flavors you enjoy. I always do cilantro and lime with a little coconut oil for a tropical twist to my favorite Chipotle cilantro lime rice.
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Rice, chicken, and vegetables were a staple dinner in my house growing up. But (and this is embarrassing) to this day I cannot make rice well on the stovetop. It always boils over or gets crunchy or I don’t know, anything else that can go wrong does.
But after I got my Instant Pot, I realized ahh this is basically a rice cooker and means I can make rice in the Instant Pot that turns out perfect every time. Plus, I don’t have to babysit it or so anything, I just dump everything in and let this side dish cook while I do the rest of dinner.
Now to the next stage of my rice journey - how to infuse it with protein. Bone broth is the perfect solution for this since the rice absorbs all the liquid anyway. So without further ado, let me teach you how simple it is to make protein rice with cilantro and lime.
Jump to:
benefits of bone broth in rice
- More flavor than standard broth because of the collagen that comes from the bones. This adds the protein and creates a thicker and richer flavor.
- 9 grams of protein per serving versus standard broth that only has 1-2 grams.
- Easy to use because you can use it just the same as you would regular broth or stock.
recipe ingredients
notes & substitutions
All substitutions are a 1:1 substitute unless otherwise noted. See recipe card for quantities.
- Rice: You can use white or brown rice. Some like to rinse it, but I don’t find it makes a difference so it’s up to you if you want to rinse it.
- Bone broth: I’ve trialed this recipe with chicken bone broth, beef bone broth, and turkey bone broth. Chicken is my favorite due to its mild flavor.
- Salt: Half of the salt gets added at the beginning and half at the end. You should always season at the beginning and end because as a dish cooks the salt disperses and becomes diluted.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
add ins
- Chipotle style: I always do my rice with fresh cilantro, lime juice, and a bit of coconut oil.
- Plain and simple: Finish the rice with just a little butter or ghee and salt.
- Turmeric rice: For fun color, pop in a small amount of turmeric or curry powder to make an Indian-inspired rice.
how to make it
Be sure to scroll to the recipe card for the full protein recipe!
- Add the rice, broth, and half the salt to the Instant Pot.
- Cook for 4 minutes and then let it naturally release for 10 minutes (longer is fine)
- Stir in the coconut oil, lime juice, cilantro, and remaining salt
quick recipe video
tips for using the Instant Pot
- Once sealed, it takes time to build up pressure - usually about 10 minutes.
- You will hear an initial sound that sounds like a slow release of air from the valve. This does not mean the valve is open, but always double-check the valve is in the closed position per the arrows on it.
common questions
Yup, I’ve left it for 20-30 minutes before and it’s been totally fine!
Yup, this works great too! Just less protein and a flavor. To make up for this, you might want to use more cilantro and lime or whatever seasoning you choose to use.
Some will swear by this, but with the Instanpot I have never noticed a difference enough that it warrants rinsing the rice. The idea in rinsing it is to remove the starchy residue on the outside that can make rice get gluey, but again I've never had this so it's totally up to you if you rinse.
how to store it
fridge
You can store leftover rice in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. It will start to get hard after day 2 though.
frozen
To freeze rice, cool it in the fridge or freezer first - it’s important to cool it quickly to prevent clumping. Then, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. I like to store them in smaller portions so I don’t have to thaw it all at once.
reheating
To heat from cold, add a splash of water to the container, loosely cover, and microwave for 30 seconds to 45 seconds or until heated through. This creates a steamy environment to rehydrate the rice. If there is still water after reheating, just dump this out.
To thaw it, simply microwave from frozen with a lid loosely on top. Stir halfway through reheating it and add a splash of water if it appears dry.
Recipe
Foolproof Protein Rice with Cilantro & Lime
Equipment
- 1 Instant pot
Ingredients
- 1 ⅓ cup white rice
- 1.5 cup chicken bone broth
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lime juice (juice from half a lime)
- ⅓ cup minced cilantro (or ⅛ cup dried)
- 2.5 tablespoon coconut oil (can use butter or ghee)
Before you start!
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Instructions
- Add the 1 ⅓ cup white rice, 1.5 cup chicken bone broth, and half of the ½ teaspoon salt to the instant pot and give it a stir. Cover, seal valve and set to cook for 4 minutes on high. It will take about 10 minutes to build up enough pressure and then the time will start counting down.
- Once the time is up, let the pressure naturally release for at least 10 minutes (more is fine). Then release any remaining steam and open it up.Stir in the 1 tablespoon lime juice, remaining salt, ⅓ cup minced cilantro , and 2.5 tablespoon coconut oil. Fluffying the rice as you go.
Video
Notes
- Once sealed, it takes time to build up pressure - usually about 10 minutes.
- You will hear an initial sound that sounds like a slow release of air from the valve. This does not mean the valve is open, but always double-check the valve is in the closed position per the arrows on it.
Looking for more information?
Additional substitution information can be found above in the substitution section of this post.
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and for informational purposes only.
So Good!