Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette

This easy chipotle vinaigrette recipe packs a real punch of flavor to any dish it is added to! Use it to dress your favorite grilled chicken salad, burrito bowl, or drizzle over a vegetable or bean salad.

 

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Despite taking only 5 minute to prepare, this chipotle honey vinaigrette has an intense savory flavor. I make my chipotle salad dressing using canned chipotle chilies in adobo sauce, adding honey for a little sweetness, and combining with red wine vinegar for that all important sourness to balance out the other flavors.

I am obsessed with the salad dressing from Chipotle; this is the version that I add to salads and bowls when I want a smoky and slightly sweet flavor. My version is a little more savory than Chipotle’s, and I omit ingredients like cumin and rice bran oil from mine.

Chipotle chilies add a great smoky, slightly sweet, and spicy flavor to any dish they are added to. The adobo sauce these chilies are preserved in also has great flavor, combining paprika with garlic, onion, tomato, oregano, and vinegar. This makes chipotles a great addition to any sauce or salad dressing where you want to add real depth of flavor.

Enjoy making your own salad dressings? Then try some of my favorite recipes, my Warm Bacon Vinaigrette, Sweet Onion Dressing, Lime Vinaigrette, or Blue Cheese Dressing.

Ingredients

Here’s what you will need to make this easy chipotle vinaigrette recipe:

• Oil – use canola oil or any other neutral flavored oil.
• Red wine vinegar – adds acidity and sourness to the salad dressing.
• Chipotle chilies – I use 2 chipotle peppers in adobo along with an extra tablespoon of the adobo sauce to flavor the dressing. For a milder dressing, use 1 chili.
• Honey – is used to add sweetness to the dressing, balancing out the other flavors.
• Garlic – fresh will add the best flavor.
• Seasoning – add kosher salt and black pepper, then taste and add a pinch more if required.
• Oregano – for ease, use dried oregano.

Tools needed for this recipe

• Mini Food Processor
• Jar, jug or bowl for dressing
• Measuring cups and spoons

How to make chipotle vinaigrette

Add the ingredients to the bowl of a mini food processor or blender.

Process on low for about 10-15 seconds, until all the ingredients are well combined and the dressing is smooth.

Serve and enjoy!

Chipotle vinaigrette recipe variations

While this recipe is delicious as is, you can switch it up a bit with any of these ideas:

• Swap red wine vinegar for white wine, apple cider, or sherry vinegar in this salad dressing.
• To make a vegan chipotle vinaigrette, swap the honey for maple or agave syrup.
• Add some freshly chopped cilantro to the dressing.
• Make it sweeter by adding more honey to the recipe.

How to serve chipotle vinaigrette

This is a salad dressing that can be used to dress a variety of meat and vegetable-based dishes. Chipotle chilies have a great spicy, sweet, and smoky flavor which pair really well with chicken, beef, pork, fish, and seafood, as well as a variety of different vegetables.

A favorite with my family is to add it to a chicken salad or chicken burrito bowl, made with leftover roast chicken and a variety of crunchy salad vegetables.

You can also mix this vinaigrette with some sour cream to make a dipping sauce. Or try adding it to mayonnaise to make a great addition to any sandwich.

How to store

Refrigerator: Store chipotle vinaigrette in the fridge in an airtight container, ensuring it’s tightly sealed, and use within 5 days for optimal freshness. When ready to use, stir the vinaigrette to mix again, as separation will likely occur during storage.

Notes

• Ensure you properly season this dressing, as with all salad dressings, it will also season the food you are adding it to.
• If you don’t use the salad dressing straight away, store it in the refrigerator and remember to give it a quick whisk to combine all the ingredients again when ready to serve.
• This makes about 1 cup of vinaigrette.

FAQ’s

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