Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2025	May 02, 2025
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	CHICAGO ATLANTIC REAL ESTATE FINANCE, INC.
Trading Symbol	REFI
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		20,967,457
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001867949
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2025
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2025
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Bankruptcy Proceedings, Reporting Current	true
Entity Ex Transition Period	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-41123
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MD
Entity Tax Identification Number	86-3125132
Entity Address, Address Line One	1680 Michigan Avenue
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 700
Entity Address, City or Town	Miami Beach
Entity Address, State or Province	FL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	33139
City Area Code	(312)
Local Phone Number	809-7002
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes