Chipotle Vinaigrette is smoky, spicy, and slightly sweet—pure magic for salads, roasted veggies, or burrito bowls!

Chipotle Vinaigrette
Wondering if Chipotle® sells their famous dressing? They don’t—but homemade is even better! You control the ingredients, spice, and sweetness.
If you love their dressing (let’s be friends!), this copycat will blow you away! It’s spicy, sweet, and tangy with a fresh kick from lime juice.
Thick, flavorful, and perfect for so many dishes! Here are my favorite ways to use it:
Chipotle Vinaigrette Uses
- Salads: A game-changer! Try it on Chipotle Chicken Salad or Quinoa Corn Salad.
- Roasted Veggies: Drizzle over sweet potatoes or cauliflower.
- Burrito Bowls: Try it on a Taco Bowl or Chicken Burrito Bowls.
- Chicken Marinade: Marinate chicken, then drizzle more dressing on the chicken after grilling.
Quick Tip
Chipotles are actually smoked jalapeños – They ripen red, then get dried and packed in adobo sauce.
Here’s how to say it: chi-POTE-lay.

What’s In This Chipotle Vinaigrette
- Oil: Chipotle uses rice bran oil, but vegetable, canola, or olive oil work too.
- Honey: Adds sweetness. More honey = sweeter, less = spicier.
- Chipotles: Use one from a can of chipotles in adobo, freeze the rest! (See below.)
Quick Tip
Freeze Leftover Chipotles
- Place peppers with sauce on a lined pan, keeping them 1/2 inch apart.
- Freeze for 1 hour, then move to a freezer bag. Store for up to 6 months.
- To use, let sit at room temp for 15-20 minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds.

Recipe Tips
- I love wide-mouth jars with plastic lids for storing homemade sauces, including this Chipotle Vinaigrette!
- Juice the lime with a citrus juicer.
- Use a small, strong blender for the best mix. A mini “Twister” jar works great for sauces!
- Blend the dressing long enough to get a smooth creamy dressing.

Spice Levels
This Chipotle Vinaigrette is mild as written, but you can adjust:
- Less spice? Use a small chipotle and add more honey.
- More heat? Add extra chipotles or sauce from the can. Taste as you go!

Storage
Leftover Chipotle Vinaigrette
- Lasts about a week in the fridge (may get spicier as it sits!).
- Oil may solidify—let sit 15-20 minutes, then shake or stir.
More Recipes To Love:
- Chicken Taco Marinade with the best seasoning blend!
- Rotisserie Chicken Tacos quick, easy tacos
- Chicken Burrito Bowls made in one pot
- Ground Beef Quesadillas made in the Air Fryer or in a skillet
- Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas with a homemade sauce

Chipotle Vinaigrette
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
Instructions
- Zest the lime to get 1/2 teaspoon zest. Juice the lime to get 1 tablespoon juice.
- Add all ingredients, including zest and juice, to a small blender. Blend until completely smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Pour into a jar, seal, and refrigerate. The heat will intensify as the dressing sits.
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
As Chelsea’s employee I have made this vinaigrette so many times! I put it on EVERYTHING! It takes any meal to the next level!