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 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 version. This does not disappoint!
Is Chipotle's 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.
- 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: they come in the can and add so much spice and smoky flavor. Add more if you want a deeper flavor.
- Garlic: fresh garlic is best!
- 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, or BBQ chicken salad.
- 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 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.
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