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.
What is Copycat 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/ex-restaurant critic GUESS.
Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice Ingredients
First of all, you’ll have to 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.
The two most signature ingredients in Chipotle cilantro lime rice are, drumroll… cilantro and lime! You’ll want just the leaves of the cilantro, and just the juice of the lime.
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.
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.
Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice Health Benefits
Cilantro: Ever hear that you should eat cilantro with fish? That’s because it’s one of the few foods that has been suggested to naturally bind with heavy metals like mercury, helping to detox it from your body. If that’s not enough for you, cilantro is not only packed with vitamins, but has been linked in multiple studies to protecting brain health.
Lime: Much like their sister lemons, limes are high in vitamin C, which can protect you from sickness and inflammation. Though acidic to your tastebuds, these tart fruits are alkaline in your body. Lime consumption also helps prevent kidney stones and can potentionally reduce your risk of stroke.
Olive Oil: One of the best oils to have in your kitchen, olive oil is best served at room temperature (or cold) as high heat changes its structure. It’s packed with monounsaturated fat, which is anti-inflammatory and might even reduce rates of cancer. Olive oil has also been shown to prevent strokes and heart disease.
How To Make Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
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/4 tablespoons.
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.
And there you have it! Chipotle cilantro lime rice as good as if you were eating the real deal.
Top with black beans, corn, protein of choice, shredded lettuce, and salsa. (And if you eat dairy, shredded cheese or sour cream.)
So much yum!
Want Your Rice Arsenic-Free?
Get (almost) all of this heavy metal out of your rice with a few health-savvy kitchen tips. Check out these instructions and more information about arsenic in rice.
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 (With Video)
With this copycat Chipotle cilantro lime rice recipe you'll be transported to take out within your own kitchen. It's tangy, delicious and the perfect side to... well, just about anything!
Ingredients
Instructions
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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.)
Note
Disclaimer: This recipe is not the authentic Chipotle restaurant version.