Salmon with Chipotle Honey Sauce

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Get ready to wow your family with this Honey Chipotle Salmon Recipe! Featuring tender, moist salmon simmered in a lip-smacking tomato-chipotle-honey sauce, it’s the perfect mix of smoky, spicy, and a touch of sweet flavors. And the best part? It’s super easy! We’re talking 10 minutes of prep, 15 minutes of cooking, and bam — a stunning one-pan adobo salmon dinner that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. 

About this recipe for honey chipotle salmon 

When life gets overwhelming (HELLO crazy inflation, multiple wars, political strife, and the 24-hour news cycle 😱), food is by far my favorite way to recenter. They call it “comfort food” for a reason! 

But, what makes this particular chipotle honey salmon so dang comforting is that it’s light, bright, and stunningly simple. All you need is 10 minutes of prep, and your table will be graced with a nutritious fish dish that tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant.

If you’re looking for more easy salmon dinners, be sure to try these recipes next: One Pan Lemon Salmon with Asparagus, Salmon Slow Roasted with Citrus with Honey, One Pan Honey Dijon Salmon and Brussel Sprouts, and Basil Salmon Cooked in Foil.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Here’s why I’m obsessed:

• Simple Ingredients – This deliciously easy honey chipotle salmon recipe is made with just 5 simple ingredients, along with a few pantry spices, and ready in 25 minutes or less!
• Smoky, Spicy, Sweet – That’s like CrazySexyCool, but for flavor! Seriously, friends. If you’re all about the new “swicy” trend on TikTok, you’re gonna love this salmon in chipotle sauce. 
• Perfectly Flaky – Cooking fish at home can be a bit intimidating. After all, dry, overcooked fish is a bummer (and it makes the kitchen smell like cat food). This easy one-pot method ensures delectably moist and tender results every time — no cooking degree required. 
• One-Pot Wonder – The only thing as exciting as the flavor of this salmon chipotle recipe is how easy it is to clean up after. 🙌 IYKYK.

Ingredients for chipotle honey salmon

• Good-Quality Olive Oil – Look for words like ‘extra virgin’ and ‘cold-pressed’ on the label. These qualifiers will bump up the price a tad, but think of it as a worthwhile investment in flavor!
• Garlic – You don’t have to slice the garlic cloves Paulie-thin, but the more slices you can get out of each clove, the more garlicky goodness you’ll taste in each bite.
• Ground Cumin & Ground Coriander – This duo of spices brings a decidedly Mexican-inspired flair to the dish. If you only have whole cumin or coriander seeds, you can crush them into powder using a clean coffee or spice grinder, or use a mortar and pestle.
• Onion Powder – For sweet allium complexity without having to deal with papery skins or burning eyes. 
• Paprika – I used regular sweet paprika, but you’re welcome to use hot and/or smoked paprika to shore up the smoky, spicy flavor of chipotles. 
• Ground Ginger – For an extra touch of warmth with a touch of tongue-tingling sweetness. If you only have ginger paste or fresh ginger on hand, increase the amount by 3x.
• Chipotle Chili in Adobo Sauce – I consider a can of chipotle peppers a pantry staple that packs a serious flavor punch. Feel free to add more to taste.
• Canned Crushed Tomatoes – San Marzano Tomatoes are by far the best in terms of flavor. However, they don’t sell “crushed” San Marzano Tomatoes everywhere (my town included). Don’t fret though — just buy whole canned San Marzano’s and crush them yourself using your hands or a potato masher.
• Lime – FYI, fresh lime juice is far better than bottled. 
• Honey – Just a touch of sweetness is all you need to balance out the salmon chipotle sauce.
• Salmon Fillets – You’re also welcome to swap in a 24-ounce side of salmon, though you may want to cut it into filets yourself so everything fits in the pan.
• Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper – for flavor!

Put your leftover chipotle chilis to good use in these fan favorite recipes: Honey Chipotle Chicken Bowls and Taco Spiced Hummus with Chipotles!

Recipe variations

Ready to shake things up a bit? Here are a few fun variations to try:

• Optional Garnishes: Jazz it up with some chopped fresh cilantro, a sprinkle of paprika, or a few lime wedges on the side to add some extra brightness.
• Swap Your Fish: Not a salmon fan? Not a problem. Try this adobo salmon recipe with another pink, flaky fish like arctic char or steelhead. It’s all about making whatever floats your boat!
• More or Less Spicy: Love the heat or prefer it mild? You’re in control here. Ramp up the chipotle and use hot paprika for that fiery thrill, or use fewer chipotles and sweet paprika to keep it cool. You can also use hot honey for an added boost of heat! 

How to make chipotle salmon

This recipe for adobo salmon in chipotle sauce comes together in a flash. Here’s how:

1. Cook Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat until its shimmering. Then, add in the sliced garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the cumin, onion powder, coriander, paprika, and ginger to the pan and season with a ½ teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until fragrant.
2. Add Remaining Sauce Ingredient: To the skillet, add the can of chopped chili, adobo sauce, crushed tomatoes, lime juice, water, and honey. Let the sauce come to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low (or just high enough to maintain a simmer).
3. Add Salmon: Season the salmon generously with salt and pepper. Then, add the salmon filets to the sauce, arranging them so that they are skin-side-up in the skillet.
4. Cover and Cook: Cover the skillet and let the salmon filets gently simmer in the sauce for 7-12 minutes, or until the thickest part of the filet reaches your desired temperature.
5. Remove Salmon, Reduce Sauce: Use a fish spatula to carefully remove the salmon filets from the sauce and transfer the salmon to a serving platter or individual serving plates. Increase heat to medium and continue to cook the sauce, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is slightly thickened, or thickened to your liking, about 2-3 minutes. Taste the sauce and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper.
6. Garnish and Serve: Spoon the chipotle sauce over the salmon filets. Next, garnish the top of the salmon with fresh chopped cilantro and a sprinkle of smoked paprika. Serve over rice with lime wedges on the side, if using. Enjoy immediately while warm.

Expert tips for adobo salmon

Ready to nail this Honey Chipotle Salmon recipe? These little tricks make all the difference:

• Check for Pin-bones: Nobody wants a surprise bone in their bite. Run your fingers over the salmon filets to feel for any sneaky pin bones. Tweezers are perfect to pluck them out.
• Waste Not, Want Not: Got extra chipotles? Pop them in an ice cube tray with their adobo sauce and freeze. Once they’re frozen solid, pop them into a freezer safe bag and press all the air out before freezing for up to 6 months. Next time you want to add a smoky kick to your meal, just pop out what you need! Along the same lines, get the most from your limes by zesting them before juicing. Add the lime zest to a salted margarita rim to wash down all the tastiness.
• Determining Cooking Time: The key to perfectly cooked salmon is all about the thickness of your fillets and how you like it done. Thicker pieces need more time, and if you’re into a more flaky, well-done salmon, give it a few extra minutes. Just keep an eye on it – it cooks faster than you think! For more clues, you can check out my handy salmon cooking chart. 

FAQs: frequently asked questions

Is honey chipotle sauce like honey BBQ sauce? 

This honey chipotle sauce for salmon is pretty different from your typical honey BBQ sauce. It’s not as sweet, smooth, or viscous as what you’d put on your chicken wings, but it does create a beautiful glaze on the salmon after baking in the oven. 

What does it taste like?

It ends up having a consistency more like marinara sauce, perfect for serving over some rice to make spicy chipotle honey salmon bowls. You get a smoky, spicy kick from the chipotle, a hint of sweetness from the honey, and a nice touch of acidity from the tomatoes. 

Can I use salmon steaks?

I don’t see why not! Just keep in mind that steaks might take a bit longer to cook compared to fillets, due to their thickness and the bone in the middle. You may need to flip the salmon chipotle over halfway through cooking to ensure they cook evenly, and just make sure that you’re careful to pick around the bones as you eat them. 

What if I don’t eat honey?

Feel free to swap in other sweeteners like maple syrup, agave nectar, brown rice syrup, or brown sugar in this adobo salmon recipe instead.

Serving salmon with chipotle

Ready to turn your honey chipotle glazed salmon into a full-blown feast? Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it:

• Salmon Chipotle Bowl: Layer some cooked rice or quinoa in a bowl, top it with a piece of your adobo salmon, and then go to town with toppings. Think avocado slices, roasted corn salsa, black beans, a dollop of sour cream, and a squeeze of lime. Trust me, Chipotle’s got NOTHING on this. 😉
• Salmon Chipotle Tacos: Taco night, anyone? Flake the cooked salmon and stuff it into warm flour tortillas. Add some coleslaw jalapeno, pineapple or mango salsa, pickled red onion, and a drizzle of the chipotle sauce for smoky, spicy salmon tacos that’s totally drool-worthy.
• Light and Zesty: For a lighter option, why not try a crisp green salad with your salmon? Think mixed greens, marinated cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a light vinaigrette. Or a simple corn and avocado salad. It’s fresh, it’s easy, and it lets the salmon shine.
• Keep it Simple, Sunshine: You can’t mess with the classic meat-starch-veggie plate. Serve your chipotle honey glazed salmon with some roasted veggies and a side of your favorite grains, cauliflower rice, broccoli rice, zucchini rice or mini roasted potatoes. Yum!

Storing leftover salmon adobo

Here’s the lowdown on keeping your Honey Chipotle Salmon leftovers just as awesome for later:

• Chill It: Pop any leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 3 days. The acidity in the tomato sauce will cause the fish to  break down a bit more quickly than plain roasted salmon.
• Freeze for Later: Got more than you can handle right now (or within the next 3 days)? No sweat. Wrap that salmon snugly in some plastic wrap or foil, tuck it into a freezer bag, and it’ll be good for a month. Perfect for when you need a quick, tasty meal down the road.
• Reheat & Eat: When you’re ready for round two, reheat your salmon gently. A low-temp oven or a zap in the microwave (keep it covered) works great. You’re aiming for warm, not overcooked. Keep an eye on it to maintain that perfect moistness!

And there you have it, folks – a dinner recipe that’s sure to make a splash at your dinner table! I hope this honey chipotle salmon in adobo sauce recipe adds a little ‘swim’-plicity to your dinner routine and proves that good food doesn’t have to be ‘fin’-icky. Whether you’re sailing through the week with ease or navigating the choppy waters of a busy schedule, this dish is your lifeboat to flavor town. Cheers to big flavor without any fuss!

Cheyanne

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More one pan salmon entrees!

• Honey Sriracha Salmon
• Coconut Curry Salmon
• Salsa Verde Salmon

How to make the best chipotle salmon adobo recipe 👇

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