Easy Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice (Video)
Is there anyone out there who is not slightly addicted to Chipotle cilantro lime rice? A little cilantro goes a long way adding flavor, while a touch of lime lends a tiny edge of tartness. In this copycat chipotle cilantro lime rice recipe, you’ll be able to make this delicious rice anytime you want.
Cilantro lime rice goes deliciously with just about any Mexican dish you could think of. That’s pretty much what it’s made for.
It’s also a fun side for South African chicken stew, Denningvleis, bean chili and broccoli tofu stir fry.
Plus, it makes a perfect base for a Buddha bowl.
What is Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice?
Let’s start with the basics, just in case you’ve never had the pleasure.
Chipotle is a Mexican restaurant chain, kind of like a Subway build-your-own sandwich but instead you’re building Tex-Mex style dishes.
You pick a base layer like lettuce, a burrito, or my personal favorite, Chipotle cilantro lime rice (white or brown). There are several other options on the menu, but make-your-own is the main idea.
Chipotle cilantro lime rice is pretty much just what it sounds like: the restaurant’s signature rice. It’s got cilantro sprinkled in, and you know there is some lime in there.
It could be that basic with only those three ingredients, but I doubt it. To make rice that delicious requires a couple of extras: plenty of salt while cooking, plus a bay leaf or two. That is just my foodie and restaurant critic GUESS.
Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice Ingredients
- Pick your rice: Chipotle cilantro lime rice comes white or brown, but everything else in each option is the same. You’ll most likely want to use long-grain white rice at home.
- Cilantro and lime: You’ll want just the leaves of the cilantro, and just the juice of the lime.
- Bay Leaf: No one ever made rice worse by throwing in a bay leaf, but this one is optional if you don’t have any on hand.
- Olive Oil: Last but not least, one can suspect the hand of a little oil involved just to keep the rice and cilantro from completely sticking together. I’m guessing Chipotle is using some kind of vegetable oil. I would opt for olive oil.
Serving Suggestion
Top with black beans, corn, protein of choice, shredded lettuce, and salsa. Add cheese and/or sour cream for extra deliciousness.
Need a Main Dish for Your Rice?
Try this warm and comforting South African chicken potato stew. In South Africa, it would be called a chicken tomatie bredie. In any language, it’s a winner, winner chicken dinner, and it goes perfectly with cilantro lime rice.
Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice basmati, etc. works too
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbs olive oil
- Juice of 1 lime (about 2 tbs)
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Follow instructions for getting arsenic out of rice or start by rinsing the rice in cold water until it runs clear. This prevents the rice from getting sticky, removes excess starch and also helps to remove some arsenic.
- If you’re following the reduced arsenic recipe, add salt, oil and a bay leaf at the second cook along with the water. Otherwise, the salt, oil, and leaf get added at the beginning.
- While the rice is cooking, juice a lime to get a couple spoonfuls of juice.
- Next, pick off the leaves of cilantro (it’s okay if a little stem is in there) and chop until you have a quarter cup.
- When your rice is cooked and fluffed, mix in the lime juice, cilantro and olive oil. You can add more salt to taste, if necessary.
- Top with black beans, corn, protein of choice, shredded lettuce, and salsa. (And if you eat dairy, shredded cheese or sour cream.)
