Chipotle honey lime dressing punches so much flavor thanks to smoky chipotle peppers, tart lime, sweet honey, and the perfect combo of herbs and spices blended with red wine vinegar and olive oil. This copycat chipotle dressing recipe is addictingly delicious!
Truly a dressing that will make you want to add more salads to your week!
I'm looking for any reason to add this fusion of smoky-sweet flavor to anything, not just saving it for my greens.
Here's the brief recap on why you're going to be equally obsessed:
- ridiculously easy to make (just blend it up, baby!)
- just the right amount of spicy heat
- sweet honey balances the acid from the vinegar
- tart lime gives the perfect pop of citrus!
- easy, simple ingredients
If we've been hanging out over on Instagram, you guys 100% know I've been meal prepping these chipotle chicken thighs every week. They're quick, easy, and super tasty. And giving it a little drizzle of chipotle honey lime dressing is a match made in salad heaven.
Is this the same as Chipotle's vinaigrette?
This is a copy cat so it's not 100% their recipe, but it tastes pretty much the same.
Does this chipotle dressing have dairy?
Nope! The chipotle dressing is made with red wine vinegar, olive oil, chipotle in adobo, honey, lime, garlic, herbs, and spices.
Can it be made vegan?
Yes, this chipotle honey-lime dressing can be made vegan with one switch. Substitute the honey or either vegan honey or agave nectar.
Can it be used for more than just salads?
You bet! This makes a great marinade for chicken, beef, or shrimp. You can drizzle it over fajitas or tacos, too! These BBQ Salmon tacos would be perfect!
Chipotle honey dressing works great when just drizzled over greens, rice, beans, and chicken (aka my breakfast this morning).
How to make Chipotle Honey Lime Dressing
I hope you're ready for how ridiculously easy this is going to be!
Step 1: Add all of your ingredients to a blender (or in a cup and use a hand blender.)
Step 2: Then blend on high until everything is well mixed, the dressing is pale in color and slightly thickened, about 20 to 30 seconds.
Transfer to your favorite salad dressing container and enjoy!
Can it be made in a food processor?
I'd recommend using a blender, and especially a hand/immersion blender (affiliate link!), over a food processor.
The immersion blender is so quick and easy to use, plus it won't leave any chunks of pepper or garlic so you can just throw them in whole.
If you are using a food processor, I'd recommend giving the garlic and the peppers a quick, rough chop before processing on high. That way you don't end up with big pieces of intense flavor.
How to build an amazing, addictive chipotle chicken salad
There are no lies when I tell you I've been eating this salad three times a week for lunch. Here's how I make it.
I cook my chicken thighs in the Instant Pot while I make the dressing and saute up my fajita veggies (onions with red, yellow, and orange peppers.) You can use rotisserie chicken, chicken breast, or whatever protein you have hanging out in the fridge.
Add a layer of mixed greens to a very spacious bowl and drizzle this dressing. Top that with black beans, your sauteed peppers and onions, a sprinkle of cheddar cheese, the chicken and a few slices of avocado.
Optional: give that big salad another light drizzle of dressing and it's time to go to town on it. Yum!!!
This bowl of goodness has all the big salad energy and we are here for it!
If you make this, please tag me on social media so I can see your delicious eats! Don't forget to leave a rating and comment below. Thanks for supporting my small business!
Chipotle Honey Lime Dressing
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 Chipotle in adobo + 1 tablespoon sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a jar, a high-sided container like a large measuring cup if using a hand/immersion blender, or use a traditional countertop blender. If using a food processor, add the garlic and peppers first and give them a few pulses to roughly chop before adding the remaining ingredients.
- Blend all the ingredients at high speed until the oil emulsifies and blends into the other ingredients. The dressing will thicken slightly and be pale in color
- Transfer to a dressing container for easy pouring and storage. Store in an airtight container, in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- If using a food processor, be sure to scrape down the sides for any pieces of chipotle pepper or garlic that end up on the sides so everything gets evenly blended.
- If you are sensitive to spice, start with just one chipotle pepper in adobo, blend, taste, and then see if you'd like to add the second one.
Zack says
This looks so good!
Just curious how long this would last in the fridge? Don't want to make too much at once and have it go bad on me 😬. Thanks!
Lauren says
I keep mine for about 2 weeks in the fridge!