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Calling all Chipotle lovers! You can now make a huge batch of cilantro-lime rice yourself without leaving your house :) It’s super easy, you’ll love it!
This amazing cilantro-lime rice is very versatile – you can eat it so many different ways! Use this rice for Mexican-theme nights in tacos and burritos, serve this rice as a side dish for chicken, meat or fish – the possibilities are endless as cilantro-lime rice goes well with anything :) You can also toss in some protein like chopped chicken, shrimp or beans and turn into intoa main dish! Another awesome way to use this cilantro lime rice is in a copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowlsalad – check it out, you’ll love it!
You can use any kind of rice for this recipe – white or brown. On the photos, I used brown rice as we are really trying tochoose brown rice instead of white for health reasons – brown is just so much more nutritious! And those people who don’t like brown rice usually end up loving it in a form ofcilantro lime brown rice :)
This recipe makes a big batch of 6-8 servings. We go though this rice really quickly inour house :) If this is too much cilantro-lime rice for you, just halve all the quantities. Or freeze the leftovers!
Cilantro-lime rice freezes pretty well. To freeze it, put cilantro-lime rice in a freezer ziploc bag, squeeze out all the air and freeze. Defrost in a refrigerator overnight, or in a microwave on a Defrost setting when in a hurry.
How To Make Cilantro Lime Rice
Step 1: Cook rice
You can use any type of rice (white or brown) and cook it any way you like – on a stove top according to package directions, in a microwave or in a rice cooker. The microwave method works for white rice only, if you never tried it, check it out here – how to cook rice in a microwave.
I always cook my rice in a rice cooker – it’s a completely hands off process, just put the rice and water in a rice cooker, press the Start button and walk away. Yes, I’m lazy like that :) Rice cooker is one of my most frequently used kitchen gadgets, and they are so cheap – you can get a great rice cooker for around $20!
If you never tried cooking brown rice in a rice cooker, or it never turned out well for you, you’ll like my article on how to make fluffy tasty brown rice in a rice cooker!
Step 2: Mix dressing and mince cilantro
While the rice is cooking, whisk the juice of 1 lime, minced garlic clove, 1 tsp olive oil and 1 tsp of salt in a cup. You will use this dressing, along with minced cilantro, to flavor the cilantro-lime rice!
To mince the cilantro, I always use my food processor – just throw the cilantro in a food processor bowl fitted with the steel blade, pulse for 30 seconds and you’ll get a perfect minced cilantro with virtually no effort!
Step 3:Season the rice with lime and cilantro
Drizzle the lime dressing and sprinkle minced cilantro over the rice. Using a fork, fluff the rice and mix everything thoroughly so the cilantro is evenly distributed. Taste the rice and add more salt and seasoning if needed. Enjoy your homemade Chipotle cilantro-lime rice!
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Chipotle Cilantro-Lime Rice (White or Brown) Copycat Recipe
If you like Chipotle's cilantro-lime rice, you are going to love this recipe! It's super easy to make cilantro-lime rice yourself with white rice or brown rice - your choice! So easy, yummy and healthy!
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time35 minutes mins
Course: copycat, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 6 servings
Instructions
Cook rice according to package directions. You can use the stove top or a rice cooker (I always cook my rice in a rice cooker).
Put lime juice, garlic clove, olive oil and salt in a cup and whisk with a fork.
Drizzle the lime juice mixture over rice and put minced cilantro on top. With a fork, mix the rice thoroughly so the rice is fluffy and all the lime dressing and cilantro are evenly incorporated.
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FAQs
Every morning in each of our restaurants, we make our cilantro-lime brown rice from scratch. We simmer the whole-grain rice with bay leaves to add savory flavors, then season it with lemon and lime juices and toss it with cilantro for a slightly tart, fresh taste.
What is the difference between Chipotle brown and white rice? ›
The brown rice contains less sodium and more fiber than the white rice. If you did choose the burrito or tacos, you might want to skip the rice (210 calories) altogether since you're getting your grains in your shell. That said, white rice can also be a healthy choice if that's what you prefer.
Does Chipotle brown rice taste good? ›
Whether you're crafting a burrito bowl, a salad, or a set of tacos, Chipotle's brown rice can be a delightful addition to your meal. Its earthy and nutty undertones complement an array of flavors, making it a versatile choice for both meat lovers and vegetarians alike.
Is cilantro rice white or brown? ›
Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
You can make it with white rice or brown rice and is great for meal prep.
Is brown rice better than white rice for you? ›
Brown rice is a more nutrient-dense product than white rice. Because of this, brown rice may help reduce blood sugar levels and aid in managing weight. But white rice is good for people with certain digestive issues and those who can't digest fiber-rich foods well.
Does Chipotle use white rice or jasmine rice? ›
Around here, all you need to know is that we use long-grain white rice. We have always been committed to preparing real food made with real ingredients. You know, the kind you can recognize and pronounce.
Does Chipotle use oil in their rice? ›
This is likely because seed oil is used to cook and prepare most of Chipotle's food. For example, the rice that is served with Chipotle's burritos and bowls is cooked in rice bran and sunflower oil. The chicken, steak, and barbacoa that are used in these dishes are also cooked in seed oils.
Is there a taste difference between white and brown rice? ›
The flavors of the two kinds of rice are similar but brown has a slightly nuttier flavor whereas white rice is very mild. Each rice has a distinct texture as well. Brown rice has a firm to medium chewy texture and white rice has a more delicate texture that is sticky.
Why is Chipotle's rice so good? ›
Lime juice lends sweetness and just a touch of bitterness, while lemon juice adds a little sourness. But the real secret to this famed rice isn't what you may think it is. It's not some special spice blend or magical cooking method — it's a bay leaf.
Does Chipotle white rice have cilantro in it? ›
Chipotle's Version
Apparently Chipotle simply cooks the rice grains in water with a bay leaf and then they add the salt, oil, cilantro, lime juice, and lemon juice all after the rice is done cooking. Some sources say they use rice bran oil but it can be both hard to find and more expensive.
Yes, you can order just rice at Chipotle if that's what you prefer. Chipotle offers a "Build Your Own" style of ordering, allowing you to customize your meal. When you approach the serving line, you can simply request a bowl or a container of rice without any additional toppings or ingredients.
Does chipotle rice have butter? ›
Do they contain dairy? - Quora. Chipotle's rice contains long-grain rice, bay leaves, and cilantro. The beans are made from pinto beans, water, onion, canola oil, salt, and spices, including cumin and garlic. The rice and beans do not contain dairy ingredients, so they are considered to be dairy-free.
Is the white rice at Chipotle spicy? ›
The smokiness and spiciness of the pepper takes the white rice to a new level. Rather then dicing up the pepper, the whole chipotle pepper is added to the rice. Even though it's left whole, it adds a ton of flavor and spiciness to the rice.
Does Chipotle have plain brown rice? ›
Chipotle offers both brown and white rice to its customers.
What kind of rice is the brown rice at Chipotle? ›
You will not believe the amazing fresh flavor of this copycat of chipotle's Cilantro Lime Brown rice! Made with brown long-grain rice, fresh lime juice, and fresh cilantro this recipe is a great side dish for any meal.
Does both chipotle rice have cilantro? ›
Does Chipotle brown rice have cilantro in it? Yes the brown rice has cilantro. Both the white and brown rice are prepared with lime juice cilantro and salt. The brown rice get less salt than the white rice.
Does Chipotle only have cilantro lime rice? ›
What is this? If you're a big Chipotle fan, you're definitely familiar with their cilantro lime rice. They have a regular white rice option as well as a brown rice version that are both equally delicious!
