Knock-Off Recipe Test: Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice

April 9, 2014 by Laurie Nguyen 11 Comments

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Who doesn’t love Chipotle?  I love that they offer so many wholesome choices and that my food is assembled fresh before my eyes.  But, alas, I can’t always go to Chipotle when the craving hits, so I’ve learned to make a few of my favorites at home.  Their cilantro-lime rice is super yummy.  It adds that special “something” to their meals.

 

Cilantro Lime Rice, Cafe Rio Knock-off Black Beans, Cafe Rio Knock-off Beef, and Corn Salsa (recipe coming soon).

 

When I started making Cafe Rio Beef (recipe here) and Cafe Rio Beans (recipe here) at home, I used to serve it with plain rice, and it was good, but it was missing that special “something.”  I needed some Chipotle rice, and I figured it couldn’t be that hard to make cilantro-lime rice, right?  Thanks to Google, I found out it is not only simple, but I felt silly that I didn’t think to try this before.  But I know me.  I feel much better if I have a recipe.  I have had some spectacular failures when I try to improvise without the framework of a recipe, and I didn’t want to fail here.

 

Cilantro lime rice is simply this: cilantro, lime juice, and rice.  That’s it.  How much of each?  It depends on your preferences.  Here’s my basic “recipe,” but keep in mind that you can alter the amount of the ingredients to make it perfect for you.

 

Cilantro Lime Rice

 

 

Cilantro Lime Rice

 

3 cups of Basmati rice (or any other long grain rice)

Water

Salt

Juice of two limes (about 4 tablespoons)

1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

 

Cook three cups of dry Basmati rice according to the instructions.  (I use a rice cooker, so my rice is cooked with water and rice only.)  When done, add a dash of salt, if desired.  Add lime juice and stir well.  Mix cilantro into the lime-rice mixture and serve.

 

I mix everything together in my handy, dandy rice cooker. It keeps it hot and fresh for hours.

 

That’s it.  Really!

 

How does it compare to Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice?  I give it an A+ for both flavor and similarity.