This healthy side dish is no shrinking violet. Spicy Chipotle Cauliflower Rice will hold its own alongside even the most demanding dish on your menu.
This Spicy Chipotle Cauliflower Rice is not for the faint of tongue. This is a low carb side dish that Brings It. With a capital “B.”
It’s also healthy, quick and requires just four ingredients. Cauliflower, garlic, chipotle peppers in adobo and cilantro.
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I’m really trying to slim down before the warm weather forces me to shed my protective coating. But it is so stinking hard!
My biggest issue is portion control. And, frankly, this Spicy Chipotle Cauliflower Rice is no help there. I want to eat the whole batch every time I make it.
But at least it’s not muffins? IDK. Too much healthy food is still too much food.
What I’ve been trying for almost a week now is something called intermittent fasting. Have you heard of it? The goal is to go 16 hours between your last meal of the day and your first meal the next day. I’m not there yet. I started at 13 and then moved up to 14 hours.
It hasn’t been super challenging so far and I’ve noticed two good changes. One is that I drink more water. Two is that I don’t have the urge to snack between meals. That is a big change for me.
The other thing I like about it is that, if I want to have a snack at night, it feels like I have a choice. I can have the snack. I’ll just have to wait longer to eat the next day. So far, that has been enough to deter me from having the snack.
Find more Low Carb Side Dish Recipes in my Sides Category
But that may not always work because my will power is MUCH stronger in the daytime than at night. So, if I opt for the late night snack, I can just have my first meal later the next day and take advantage of that will power.
So far, it’s working for me.
Now, back to this smoky, savory, spicy cauliflower rice. How can we use it. Let me count the ways.
- As a conventional side dish, particularly with meat or salmon fresh off the grill.
- In any burrito or burrito bowl.
- Mixed with beans.
- Or, my favorite, with diced avocado and fried eggs.
If you’re an über-planner and are already looking for low carb Cinco de Mayo options, pin this baby.
Looking for more Side Dish Recipes? Try my
Caponata with Preserved Lemon and Walnuts (vegetarian)
Roasted Broccoli Rabe (vegetarian)

- 1 head cauliflower riced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro
- 1 Tablespoon chipotle in adobo sauce minced
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Heat about 1 Tablespoon olive oil in a 10" skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sautée until fragrant.
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Add cauliflower rice and stir well.
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Add cilantro and chipotle peppers and continue to stir until cauliflower is soft, about 5 minutes.
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Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.
To rice cauliflower you cut it into florets and either grate it on a box grater or pulse it in your food processor. Alternatively you can use the shredding blade in your food processor.
Calorie info is approximate and will vary according to serving size.
Stupid question ok how do i rice cauliflower?
Hi Patty! Not stupid. At all! There are a few methods, including blender and grater. You can find videos on YouTube. I use the shredder blade on my food processor as demonstrated in the first part of this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2t8H3QfBJ0 LMK how it turns out!
I tried intermittent fasting for a week and I got through it but realized that it didn’t help me lose weight. It did get me to drink a lot more water than I had been which is a plus. This cauliflower rice looks like a good way to help me cut the carbs!
I’m drinking a lot more water too. Wonder what that’s about. And it is definitely helping my shape. It’s less…rotund.
I’ve got to try this recipe. I’m always on the hunt for delicious side dish and I love that it’s low-carb!
It’s super easy, too, Julie! You’ll love it.
I am a huge wimp when it comes to spice, but this looks so good! Bring on the fire!
Not heard of the intermittent fasting thing, sounds interesting – wondering if I could do it. Does coffee count as a meal?!
Not if you drink it black! I mean that might be a small cheat but going until 11 without coffee isn’t an option. I’ve lost about 4 pounds in the 2 weeks I’ve been doing it and that is ALL I’m doing. I haven’t changed what I’m eating or drinking.
Love the color the “rice” gets. Really beautiful!
Thanks! I forgot to mention in the post that I used yellow cauliflower!! I’ll update it.
Oh my word this looks SO GOOD! I love cauliflower and any thing with plenty of spice. I don’t love going 16 hours between meals though. . .I admire your strength!
Oh girl I haven’t gone 16 hours yet. When I do you will probably hear me roar with pride from your itsy bitsy kitchen!!