Chipotle's "Skinny" Cilantro Lime Rice

normally cilantro & i don't get along very well. i find it rather pungent & overwhelming. but then along came Chipotle, with their Cilantro Lime Rice, to make a believer out of me.

"would you like some cilantro lime rice with that?"
"cilantro? ew. no thanks."
"it's really good. like, seriously."
"weeeell...i don't know..."
::girl puts rice in my burrito::
"i promise you'll love it & if you don't your lunch is on us."
"oh snap. thanks!"
::i eat rice. the heavens open & shine down on said girl. she looks at me & smiles knowingly::

yes. that is exactly how it happened.

i'd eat it daily if my wallet & waistline were none the wiser.
but i'll settle for every now & again...& now with this recipe, a couple times per month.

(please see below that i have directions for your rice cooker & the stovetop)

Chipotle's "Skinny" Cilantro Lime Rice (adapted from skinny taste)
You Need:
1 1/2 cups of white Jasmine rice*
the juice of 1/2 a lime
2 cups of water*
1tsp salt
1 1/2 tblsp blended cilantro
3 tsp vegetable oil

*Rice Cooker Directions: Pour your rice, water & 1 tsp oil into your rice cooker. Cook rice according to directions. Let the rice sit for a good 15-20 minutes after it's done.
Once it's ready, add the remaining oil & the lime juice, cilantro & salt. Toss together until completely mixed.

Stovetop Directions: Cut the rice down to 1 cup. In a medium saucepan add the rice, water, 1 tsp of oil & the salt. Boil on high until the water just skims the top of the ride. Reduce heat to low, cover & simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat & leave it covered for another 5-10 minutes.

Toss with the above ingredients as directed.

Now- you can go ahead & use fresh cilantro if that's what floats your boat- but since i don't keep cilantro on hand (fresh) i used this stuff instead:

it's super convenient & allows me to have "fresh" herbs on hand that last. i do think it's pretty strong so i cut it down to 1 1/2 tblsp vs. the 3 that you can use if you use fresh cilantro.

this makes 4 servings (3/4 cup) at:
- 201 calories
- 3.4 fat
- 37.4 carbs
4.0 g protein

i actually upped my rice to 2 cups & 3 cups of water & made extra to freeze for lunches later in the week. i layer it up with some corn, cheese, sour cream & Barbacoa Beef & it's like i'm sitting in Chipotle.

p.s. i ALWAYS use my rice cooker to make rice. for whatever reason i usually FAIL at stovetop rice- so a rice cooker is the way to go in my opinion.

p.p.s. this pairs perfectly with some Chipotle's Inspired Barbacoa Beef