Make a batch of this chipotle honey vinaigrette and look forward to your salads all week! It's sweet from the honey, smoky from the chipotles in adobo, and tastes just like the dressing at Chipotle.
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I am obsessed with Chipotle's Honey Vinaigrette dressing. I'm guessing you're a fan of Chipotle mexican grill too since you landed here! I always order a salad and the dressing is my favorite part.
I was craving the dressing when we made BBQ chicken salads and I wanted to make my homemade vinaigrette. The smoky flavors from and the sweetness from the honey makes the most delicious sauce to top salads or burrito bowls.
Is Chipotle's Honey Vinaigrette Healthy?
Although the calories in the Chipotle vinaigrette are somewhat high, it's made of pretty quality ingredients. I love making it at home because you can control the ingredients and amounts. Chipotle's version is made with rice bran oil and a good amount of honey, but this recipe is made with olive oil and less honey to make it healthier.
Ingredient Notes
- Olive oil: I like to use light olive oil or a good quality EVOO in dressings because they're the base and you can really taste them. Avocado oil is also really light and great quality.
- Red wine vinegar: this is what Chipotle uses in their recipe and it is full of acid so it balances out the oil really well and gives the dressing a tang. You could use apple cider vinegar wf you have that on hand.
- Honey: it's in the name of the recipe after all! This gives the dressing sweetness but could be swapped for maple syrup, agave or omitted for a whole30 option.
- Chipotles in Adobo sauce: they come in the can and add so much spice and smoky flavor. Add more chipotle chiles if you want a deeper flavor.
- Garlic: fresh garlic is best but you could also use garlic powder.
- Lime juice: this also adds acid, but also gives it a real Mexican flavor.
- Spices: oregano, cumin, salt and pepper combine round out the flavor and spice. They really add so much to this dressing!
What to do with leftover chipotle's in adobo: make these Instant Pot chicken tinga tacos!
How to make Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette
- Add all of the dressing ingredients to a high speed blender or food processor and blend on high for 1-2 minutes until it's completely combined and the chipotles are broken down.
- Taste test the dressing and add more spices if needed. You can add another chipotle in adobo if you want a deeper, smoky, spicy flavor. Blend again if needed.
- Serve over your favorite salad or store in a mason jar in the fridge for later.
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Recipe FAQs
You can make this recipe whole30 by leaving out the honey or swapping it for 1 large Medjool date. You'll need to blend it a littler longer or even soak the date in hot water for a few minute before blending.
There are 220 calories in 1 (2 ounce) serving of the dressing at Chipotle and 210 calories in this homemade version.
One (2 ounce) serving only has 6 net carbs, but you could reduce that amount by leaving out the honey or swapping with a keto sweetener.
What to serve with Chipotle honey vinaigrette
- Pour it over your favorite salads like this roasted sweet potato and kale salad, kale and goat cheese salad, BBQ chicken salad or a simple green salad.
- Make a fresh taco salad with romaine lettuce, black beans, red onion, corn, avocado and this honey chipotle salad dressing.
- Drizzle it over roasted sweet potatoes.
- Make your own homemade chipotle with rice, chicken, guacamole, cheese and whatever fave toppings you have.
- Use it as a marinade for meat/seafood like in this cilantro lime chicken or fiesta lime shrimp bowls.
- Toss it with pasta salad or veggie salads like this cucumber tomato avocado salad or Mexican street corn pasta salad.
If you make this chipotle honey vinaigrette recipe, I’d love for you to give it a star rating ★ below. You can also tag me on Instagram so I can see it!
More healthy salad dressings
- Creamy cilantro lime jalapeno dressing (dairy free)
- Easy vegan caesar dressing
- 3 minute healthy honey mustard
- Fresh herb vinaigrette
Recipe
Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup light olive oil or avocado oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons raw honey
- 1 chipotle in adobo + 1 teaspoon of the sauce (add 1 more if you want more spice and smoky flavor)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (about 1/2 large lime)
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add all of the dressing ingredients to a high speed blender or food processor and blend on high for 1-2 minutes until it's completely combined and the chipotles are broken down.
- Taste test the dressing and add more spices if needed. You can add another chipotle in adobo if you want a deeper, smoky, spicy flavor. Blend again if needed.
- Serve over your favorite salad or store in a mason jar in the fridge for later.
Deanna says
How long can you keep it for in the fridge. ?
gabe guerra says
I do not see any portions for the ingredients.
Please help
Jessica Snipes says
I absolutely love this recipe. I make a big batch of it and the freeze it into smaller portions till I need it.