Cilantro Lime Rice

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Happy Taco Tuesday, guys! Let’s talk bout CILANTRO LIME RICE TODAY!

Okay, let’s just get down to business guys. This Cilantro Lime Rice is the DANG BEES KNEES. I really love it, a lot. I’ve been perfecting this recipe for the better half of a year to be honest, but I finally did it just in time to post all about these homemade Chicken Burrito Bowls I’ve got comin’ attcha this weekend! On Sunday I got the Quick Chipotle Pinto Beans up, today I’ve got the rice, stay tuned for what’s next this week!

Let’s get in the kitchen and talk about this rice and all the “secret” ingredients in it that you would have never thought would go into something with a name that is seemingly so straight forward. There’s more guys. I mean, I don’t know if there’s more in all cilantro lime rice recipes, but there’s more in this one and it’s what makes it perfect. You’ll love it!

Alright, let’s talk about rice and how to get it a bit fluffy and perfect. I’ve googled a bunch of different things and I’ve tried a handful and a half of things and honestly, the trick that seemed to have helped it the most is rinsing it fairly well before cooking. This step is optional. You really don’t HAVE to do it- I’ve cooked rice for years without doing it, but I find that it does help the rice not get too “mushy” because I know we all want a nice n’ fluffy flavorful cilantro lime rice. You’ll need wire mesh strainer though because a regular ol’ colander will result in you losing a bunch of rice. (Trust me, I tried it!)

Neeeext, let’s bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil, shall we? When the water is boiling you’ll want to add the following goodies: 2 cups of regular long grain white rice (not instant, not brown) one bayleaf, 1 tsp cumin, 1.5 tsp olive oil, and 2 tsp kosher salt. Stir it all in. Reduce heat to low. Cover and continue to cook for 15 minutes.

The one “secret” I know that Chipotle does to make their cilantro lime rice so delish is to add a bayleaf. I don’t know how much of a secret it actually is, but yes, you sure do need that bayleaf!

Also the cumin? That’s my own lil’ personal touch. I think it add SO much to the rice, but I don’t think it’s very traditional. That’s alright though! I’m not known to follow many traditional methods.

If you want to use brown rice or another type of rice you’ll need to adjust the amount of liquid and the cooking time.

While the rice is cooking finely mince about 1/4 loosely packed cup full of cilantro.

Be sure to remove all the stems and just use the leaves!

Mmmm.. I just love the smell of freshly chopped cilantro. It reminds me that I’m about to eat somethin’ real good!

Now, grab your lemon and lime and juice’m. Trick to get the most juice out of’m? Pop’m in the microwave for bout 15 seconds and then roll’m on the counter a few times. You’ll need half a lemon (about 2 tbs) and one lime (about 3 tbs).

Why lemon AND lime? Honestly, just lime is too strong. The lemon balances it out.

When the rice is done, Add the cilantro, lime and lemon juice, and 1/2 tsp kosher salt (or to taste!). Remove bay leaf. Fluff rice with fork and lightly stir the cilantro in until combined.

And that’s it! So easy, right?

It’s just so good! I really think cooking it with the cumin and bayleaf just makes it.

This rice is not only the absolute PERFECT addition to the burrito bowls that I’m going to show ya how to make later this week….

It makes my recipe for Crockpot Creamy White Chicken Chili even better! Remember this, y’all? This might be my most popular recipe to date. If you haven’t made it up yet… you’ll need to do that and pile it on top of this rice because it’s just all so yummy together!

This Cilantro Lime Rice also completes TACO NIGHT:

My “Almost Famous” Chicken Street Tacos- Click for recipe

Quick Chipotle Pinto Beans- Click for recipe

AND the tacos are drizzled with some magic, otherwise known as, my Southwest Chipotle Ranch- click for recipe!

Now, remember to stay tuned this week. I’ve got two more recipes for ya to make a show stoppin’ homemade Chicken Burrito Bowl! You’ll never want to eat anything else ever again after you make these. Ha! Just kiddin’… I’ve got plenty of other recipes.

Now go make some of this!

I really hope ya love it.

With love from my kitchen to yours,

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