Chipotle happens to be my favorite healthy fast-food restaurant, and I eat it for dinner on average once a week.
In particular, I’m so in love with their Cilantro Lime Brown Rice, and hence it’s no surprise my inspiration for this Cilantro Lime Avocado Rice comes from none other than Chipotle.
My husband was so excited as he saw me putting together the Avocado Rice, and then making them Black Beans, and then finally sautéing the peppers and onions. In short, I made him a Chipotle Bowl.
He even updated his Facebook status with this picture below of the Homemade Chipotle Bowl, and he hardly ever goes on Facebook which says a lot.
This Cilantro Lime Avocado Rice is heaven, and I made it with brown rice so it’s healthy too.
Serve alone, or with Black Beans, or make a fully loaded Chipotle Bowl.
Healthy. Delicious. Scrumptious.
NUTRITION: Brown Rice is a good source of Protein and Fiber. Avocados are rich in Antioxidants and are a good source of Fiber, Folic Acid, and Vitamins B6, C, E and K. In addition, they help lower cholesterol and contain anti-cancerous properties. Jalapenos are a very good source Vitamin C and a good source of Fiber, Iron, and Vitamin A. Lime is an excellent source of Vitamin C. Cilantro is a good source of Vitamin C and contains small amounts of Vitamin E.
INGREDIENTS:
for the rice
- Basmati Brown Rice (uncooked) – 1 cup
- Water – 2 1/4 cups
- Salt – 1/2 tsp
for the avocado rice
- Avocado – 1 (mashed)
- Lime – juice of 1
- Lime Zest – zest of 1 lime
- Jalapeno – 1 (sliced, deseeded, finely chopped)
- Salt – 1/2 tsp
- Fresh Cilantro – 1/4 cup (chopped)
- Cooked Basmati Brown Rice (from above)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Start by making the rice.
2. In the meantime, get all the ingredients for the avocado rice… zest the lime, chop the jalapeno, and chop the cilantro.
3. Mash the avocado in a bowl.
4. Season with 1/2 tsp of salt and juice of 1 lime.
5. Add the jalapeno and lime zest. Mix and set aside.
6. Once the rice is done. Scoop out the rice and transfer to a large bowl.
7. Top the hot rice with the cool avocado.
8. Using 2 spoons, mix the rice and avocado.
9. Top with fresh cilantro. Mix. Check for seasonings.
10. Serve immediately.
TELL ME: Have you ever tried Chipotle? Do you prefer their white rice or brown rice? What do you usually order at Chipotle?
Very interesting
Indeed.
Oh man I LOVE Chipotle..it's almost too delicious to even be considered as fast food! I usually go for their burrito bowls with the sauteed veggies, black beans and chicken. I actually prefer the flavor of brown rice over white which I guess works in my favor ;)! I'm banking on Chipotle introducing quinoa into their menu within the next year!
I think Chipotle would do so well in Mumbai, Mexican and Indian food are slightly similar. I take my Chipotle bowl just like you.. with brown rice, but I get chicken once in a while. Quinoa would do SO WELL! Hope so.
I absolutely love Chipotle…I need to try this recipe ASAP because I have been craving chipotle for last couple days. Its a tough choice between brown and white rice – when I am eating indian/nepali food I prefer white rice but on other days brown rice it fine with me.. At Chipotle, I usually get burrito bowl with chicken and lots of guac
Love it too.. I'm used to white rice with Indian food, so I try and be healthy when eating Chipotle… I actually love brown rice at Cihpotle. I get a bowl too, sometimes with chick, always with guac. 🙂
Love the idea of mixing avocado and rice together. I bet it was so creamy.
I love Chipotle and before we moved, we would eat there a lot. I don't think there is one near us anymore. 🙁 And I'm with K, I hope the bring quinoa on board. Now that would be great!
Yup, it is very creamy. You are in such a great location, you probably don't even need Chipotle, there is probably such great Mex in the vicinity. 🙂 Quinoa would be a great touch. P.. send me the Mex place.. not sure if I'll need reservations. 🙂
I love Chipotle, but I don't eat it as often as I want to! My favorite thing is a Burrito bowl with 1/2 chicken, 1/2 steak, white rice ( just because I'm Asian and can't betray white rice), the sauteed veggies, hot sauce and lettuce. Mmmm, I might actually just get it for lunch now!
Haha.. did you end up getting it for lunch. I usually get the veggie bowl or chicken bowl. I understand, I'm of Indian origin, so I do enjoy white rice, but I always get brown rice at Chipotle… it's so nutty. 🙂
You have everything delish going on here. From cilantro, to lime and then avocado!
Thanks.. gotta love Mex food, right?
Can you explain the rest of the toppings for the Chipotle bowl you made? We don't have Chipotle restaurants in Canada, that I know of, but I'd love to make this at home. I know it would be a hit!
Thanks!
Heidi
Heidi.. so for my Chipotle bowl.. I layered as follows:
avocado rice, topped with black beans (just use canned black beans and sauteed them with onions, garlic, jalapeno), and then I topped that off with sauteed onions and red/green peppers (sauteed in olive oil, salt, and black pepper). Top this with cheddar cheese.
Traditional Chipotle Bowl consists of…
rice
black beans
peppers/onions OR chicken/meat
pico de gallo (cilantro, tomatoes, onion mixture)
sauces
lettuce
sour cream
guacamole
cheese
It is divine!
Hope you make the real thing, mine was half-ass. 🙂
If you're anywhere near Vancouver, there's one there. Alternatively, you could hop over to the US.It'd be more effort, but Chipotle is so worth it.
I agree, it's so worth it. Worth crossing the border. They need to expand more in the US, but definitely bring it to the major Canadian cities. Someday! 🙂
This looks so fabulous! Chipotle is my go-to for a quick healthy meal. I get brown rice, black beans, fajita veggies, tomato salsa, corn salsa, guacamole and tons of lettuce!! Mmmmmm 🙂
Me too, Alexis. It's my goto healthy meal when I don't feel like cooking. I get the same thing as you, + cheese. 🙂 Sometimes with chicken.
Perfect rice my friend, it is simply gorgeous! I love the ingredients in it!
Cheers
CCU
Thanks Guru. Glad you approve.
I love the idea of Chipotle-at-home! Their rice is one of my favorite things on this earth…totally going to try it!
I love their rice too.. Chipotle just goes to show you that you can eat healthy and be satisfied without having to spend a lot. So glad they are all over the country.
Yum! This looks amazing – bookmarked!
Thanks Pam… hope you try it. 🙂
Such a pretty rice! Love the flavor combination you got going here. Great post!
Isn't it such a pretty color? Thanks Anne.
I love it! We used to live near a Chipotle and also ate there at least once a week. So smart to make the rice at home because really, the rice is the best part!
Love it too. I just had Chipotle today. It's a lot of work to make the whole thing at home, so much easier to buy. $8 well spent. 🙂
Oh yummy, I could have made this instead of the avocado ice cream I just put on the ice cream maker. I had avocados that needed to be used up 🙂 Next time bc this looks awesome. I bet the cilantro gave it a really good flavor.
Awww… it's okay, next time. Avocado Ice Cream sounds nice, I had that once at a restaurant in NYC. Cilantro seals the deal.
What a great idea…looks amazing! Bookmarking this for later!
Thanks Asiya.
What an awesome idea for cilantro-lime rice! It looks so delicious with the avocado mixed in… perfect addition to the Tex-Mex meals that frequent this house!
The lime and cilantro add so much flavor… I know tex mex is common here too.
Oh wow some yummy great flavours in this! I like the lime and cilantro combo 🙂
Thanks Natalie.. it's yummy.
Hi Honey! We love chipotle too! They started in Denver, so we've been sampling their delicious food for years now! This rice looks rumbustious. I would have never thought to add avocado. Just brilliant!
So glad they have expanded through out the country. Thanks.. I figured a little healthy creamy rice wouldn't hurt.
Hi this looks lovely but I'm wondering does the avocado in the rice go brown if kept for more than a day or two?
Thanks Swathi.. we finished the rice in one day, however you can maybe save a little extra for the next day. I personally think it will be okay one extra day since the lime prevents the avocado from browning. Let me know if you try. 🙂
That is a very interesting twist! And the combination of flavours sounds yum!
Thanks.. it's a good combo. 🙂
This Looks superb ! Never thought of adding avocado to rice.. Delhi really lacks good Mexican food..(and so does Australia) and love chipotle too after trying it in US. There is no shortage of good Mexican there! Your husband should feel so lucky to have you!
Thanks Amelia… indeed it was. Mexican food would do well in India, perhaps you should try Yelp and see what comes up? I know, he better feel lucky to have me. 🙂
Dude. Just… dude. This looks amazing. Chipotle is my jam. I can't wait to try this out!!
THanks Lauren.. that's so sweet of you to say. Chipotle is my peanut butter.. love it!
Yum! I made "green" rice a few months ago and fell hard for it! I must make it again soooooon!
Love green rice, it's just so inviting and pretty.
That looks so yummy, and easy to make. Looking forward to making it. That is such a creative and great addition of adding the avocado, would have never thought of that. JC
Thanks JC – I'm glad you approve and hope you will try this soon.
I love Chipotle–it's one of my favorite fast food restaurants too. 🙂 This rice looks perfect as a side for taco night!
Love it too, and also one of my fave fast-food restaurants. Yeah, it would be good for taco night too. 🙂
This looks great – I'm going to have to try a Chipotle bowl. I think I've been to Chipotle maybe once when we lived in Louisville. Now we're out in the middle of the country, so of course there's no Chipotle around.
What? No Chipotle? I assumed it was all over the country? Ya know, you're temping me to do a post on making a Chipotle bowl, it's not right that so many people don't have access in the same country! Sorry!!!
I love Chipotle. It sucks though that Chipotle is a four hour drive and thus have had to make my versions of the veggie bowl at home. Your cilantro lime avocado rice sounds great!
4 Hours??? Awww.. I'm sorry. That does suck. Chipotle is like my weekly dinner. This rice was yummy, hope you try it.
I don't like Chipotle, but can't say much coz I haven't had much besides their burrito. My favorite Tex-Mex restaurants are Chuy's (Dallas) and Trudy's (Austin) – try those if you get a chance when you visit Texas!
Really? What don't you like about it? I find it similar to Indian food.. it's like eating kale chane and chawal. Will definitely keep those places in mind if/when I visit Texas. I heard great things about Austin. Thanks!!