Easy Chili’s Honey Chipotle Sauce Recipe

Chili restaurants are known for their spicy food items. Of course, chili restaurants would only be complete with Chili! You can find various chili options there, but one of their popular sauces is the honey-chipotle sauce.

This sauce has so much flavor that you must put it on everything. This Chili’s honey chipotle sauce is the perfect combination of sweet and spicy flavors on Chili’s menu. The best part is this sauce takes less than minutes to make. After trying this recipe, I’m sure you will forget those fancy restaurants. 

So, what are you waiting for? We have added all the details related to this recipe in the guide below. We have answered all the questions that might click you between the honey chipotle sauce-making journey. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the guide below. 

Is This The Exact Chili’s Honey Chipotle Sauce Recipe?

This homemade version of Chili’s honey chipotle sauce is very close to the original recipe. The only difference is that we haven’t used additives, preservatives, or color enhancers to get that exact flavor and texture.

Rest all the ingredients, and the process is very close to the original. However, the preparation and process details are closely guarded by the company and not disclosed. So, the homemade version of Chili’s honey chipotle sauce can vary slightly.

Why You’ll Love This Honey Chipotle Sauce 

• Easy – This sweet and spicy honey chipotle sauce is easy to make. All you have to do is mix and mix.
• Flavorful – This homemade version of Chili’s honey chipotle sauce has a spicy flavor.
• Readily Available Ingredients – You can easily find all the ingredients in this recipe in your pantry. There is no need to roam outside to acquire the components. 
• Versatile – Feel free to experiment with the ingredients and elevate its flavor! Serve it as a dipping sauce, use it for a marinade, or use it for a classic burger or a turkey sandwich.

Is Honey And Chipotle A Good Combination?

Yes, honey and chipotle are a good combination. This combination stands out in this recipe. You can taste the sweetness of the honey, balancing out the smokiness and spiciness of the chipotle peppers. This flavor combination is a classic combination one should try at once.

Is This Honey Chipotle Sauce Spicy?

Yes, Chili’s honey chipotle sauce is spicy as it is made with a blend of chipotle peppers, which are smoked and dried jalapeños. For the uninformed, chipotle peppers have a smoky flavor and a moderate to high heat.

That’s why the honey is added to the sauce to balance out the spiciness of the chipotle peppers. But you can make it less spicy by making this sauce at home. Remember that it is always best to start with a small amount and add more to taste. 

Is This Honey Chipotle Sauce Vegan Or Gluten Free?

According to Chili’s allergen menu, the honey-chipotle sauce is vegan and gluten-free. It is made with honey, chili peppers, vinegar, and spices. It does not contain any animal products or gluten-containing ingredients.

However, it is essential to note that Chili’s cooks its food in shared fryers, so there might be a risk of cross-contamination. So, if you have a severe allergy to gluten or other allergens, it is essential to inform your server so they can take extra precautions to prepare your food safely or recreate this sauce at home.

Equipment Required To Make Chili’s Honey Chipotle Sauce

• Microwave – Warm the sauce in the microwave to let all the flavors meld for a minute or two.
• Bowl – Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl to make this honey-Chipotle sauce.
• Spoon – Use a spoon to mix all the ingredients well for the sauce. 

Chili’s Honey Chipotle Sauce Ingredients

• Honey – We have used honey to add a natural sweetness and viscosity to the sauce, making it flavorful and sticky.
• Light Corn Syrup – We have used corn syrup as a thickening agent to give this sauce a sticky texture.
• Barbecue Sauce – We added barbecue sauce to make this honey chipotle sauce spicy and add depth. You can also use adobo sauce, which contains chipotle peppers.
• Orange Juice – Orange juice is used to add citrusy flavor and help preserve the sauce.
• Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice will brighten this Chili’s honey chipotle sauce. 
• Chipotle Peppers – Use dried chipotle peppers to add a smoky touch. These peppers will bring a rich, smoky heat to the sauce, balancing the sweetness of the honey. 
• Chili Red Peppers – Use red peppers to add heat to the sauce. If you don’t have these peppers, use smoked paprika or cayenne pepper instead.
• Salt – A pinch of salt is added to balance the flavors and enhance the taste of the sauce.

Chili’s Honey Chipotle Sauce Ingredients Substitutions

• Honey – Honey is the crucial ingredient in this sauce. But you can substitute it with any other liquid sweetener, such as maple, agave, or brown rice syrup. You can also use a sugar-free alternative, such as stevia or monk fruit sweetener.
• Light Corn Syrup – You can substitute golden corn syrup with dark corn, maple, or agave syrup. Or you can omit it and use more honey.
• Barbecue Sauce – BBQ sauce is added for some heat. But you can substitute it with a homemade barbecue sauce, ketchup sauce, or Worcestershire sauce.
• Orange Juice – Orange juice adds brightness. However, you can swap it with lemon, lime, or grapefruit. You can also omit the orange juice altogether.
• Chipotle Pepper – You can substitute chipotle peppers with smoked paprika, chili powder, or cayenne pepper. You can also omit the chipotle peppers if you prefer a less smoky sauce.
• Ground Red Pepper – You can substitute any other type of chili powder, such as cayenne pepper, ancho chili powder, or chipotle chili powder. You can also omit the ground red pepper if you prefer a less spicy sauce.
• Lemon Juice – Swap lemon juice with any other citrus juice, like lime juice or grapefruit juice. You can also omit the lemon juice if you prefer.

Chili’s Honey Chipotle Sauce Preparation Time

Chili’s Honey Chipotle Sauce Recipe Steps

Step 1- Start by adding tomato puree in the saucepan along with adding onion powder and vinegar in it.

Step 2- Add citric acid, garlic powder and water into the saucepan.

Step 3- Now, add cornstarch slurry, honey and paprika into the saucepan.

Step 4- Lastly, season this honey chipotle sauce with salt and pepper.

Step 5- Your delectable sauce is ready to serve!

Tips To Make This Honey Chipotle Sauce Better

• Our chef has always emphasized using fresh ingredients for the best flavors and textures. Talking of this recipe, we recommend using fresh chipotle peppers instead of canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
• This Chili’s honey chipotle sauce is spicy due to the addition of BBQ sauce and chipotle peppers, so adjust the amount of chipotle pepper and other ingredients to your liking. Use less chipotle and ground red pepper if you want a milder sauce. Use more chipotle and ground red pepper if you want a spicier sauce.
• Feel free to add a teaspoon of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or cumin to the sauce to add some complexity. Also, you can add a splash of lime juice or balsamic vinegar to give the sauce a bit of acidity.
• Let the sauce rest for at least ten to fifteen minutes. 
• If you want a smoother sauce, puree the ingredients in a blender or food processor.
• If you want a thicker sauce, thicken it with cornstarch slurry. 

How Will This Chili’s Honey Chipotle Sauce Look And Taste Like?

This restaurant-style Chili’s honey chipotle sauce is relatively easy to make. We tried recreating this sauce, and it turned out amazing. It is a thick and glossy sauce with a deep red color. 

When we tasted it, it had a sweet, smoky, and spicy flavor. The sweetness comes from the honey, the smokiness comes from the chipotle peppers, while the spiciness comes from the ground red pepper. 

Try this Chili’s honey chipotle sauce once it has a complex and well-balanced flavor profile. The sweetness, smokiness, and spiciness create a delicious sauce perfect for dipping, drizzling, or marinating food.

Why Is My Honey Chipotle Sauce So Watery?

• If you mistakenly add too much liquid to your sauce, it will become watery. So, measure the ingredients carefully and follow the recipe closely.
• Since this sauce doesn’t require cooking, warming it for a minute or two is recommended. But, if you start cooking this sauce, it will become watery. This is because the liquid in this sauce will evaporate, leaving behind a thicker consistency. So, warm it and not cook it. 
• If you’re using canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, it may make your sauce watery. So, drain them well before adding them to your sauce. The adobo sauce is very liquid and will make your sauce watery. That’s why it is asked to use dried chipotle peppers instead of canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. 

Why Is My Honey Chipotle Sauce Too Sweet?

• This recipe calls for honey as the key ingredient. But, if you are adding more than half a cup, it will be too sweet. So, make sure to measure honey carefully before proceeding.
• Chipotle peppers are added due to their smoky and spicy flavor profile. But if you don’t add enough of them, honey may overpower, resulting in too sweet sauce. 
• If you have used canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for Chili’s honey chipotle sauce, it will dilute the honey, making this sauce overly sweet. So, try using dried chipotle peppers to balance out the sweetness.
• Last but not least is cooking the sauce. This sauce requires warming, not boiling, as the heat will caramelize the sugars in the honey, making the sauce more concentrated and sweeter. 

Chili’s Honey Chipotle Sauce Nutritional Values

This homemade version of Chili’s honey chipotle sauce is healthy. The reason is that this homemade sauce doesn’t contain any artificial additives. To know more about its nutritional value, take a look at the table below:

How To Store This Chili’s Honey Chipotle Sauce?

Chili’s honey chipotle sauce has a shelf-life of around two weeks to three months after storage. But how to store them? Read on to know more:

• Refrigerating – Transfer the leftover sauce to an airtight container and cover it with a lid. Now, store the sauce in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
• Freezing – If you want to store the sauce longer, freeze it. For this, transfer this sweet and spicy honey chipotle sauce to a freezer-safe container and freeze the sauce for up to 3 months.

What To Serve With This Chili’s Honey Chipotle Sauce

Chili’s honey chipotle sauce is a versatile condiment that pairs well with various dishes. Here are some delicious options to consider when serving honey-Chipotle sauce.

• Fish Sticks – If you’re in the mood for a breakfast-inspired snack, dip your spicy and crunchy fish sticks in this sweet and spicy honey chipotle sauce for a unique and tasty combination. The spicy sauce pairs surprisingly well with the crispy sticks.
• Chili’s Chicken Bacon Quesadillas – Spread the restaurant-style enormous quesadillas into creamy and spicy honey chipotle sauce.
• McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets – Dip these crunchy and crispy nuggets in this sweet and spicy honey chipotle sauce to add a tangy element to your crispers. 
• McDonald’s McRib Sandwich – McDonald’s McRib sandwich is wrapped with healthy and flavorful components. Adding a pinch of tanginess will perfectly complement the delicious, zesty, and crunchy McRib flavors.
• McDonald’s Big Mac – McDonald’s Big Mac is a famous double cheeseburger known for its classic flavored patties. You can spread the sauce on your favorite Big Mac and enjoy your meal.

Other Chili’s Recipes To Try

So, it was all about the honey-chipotle sauce recipe that we can use at your home. But you should try some more Chili’s recipes at your home. Some are Chili’s Queso, Chili’s Salsa, Chili’s Black Beans, and Chili’s Cajun Chicken Pasta. Also, we have a dedicated article on different Chili’s copycat recipes that you can try. 

Recipe Card

Chili’s Honey Chipotle Sauce Recipe

Chili's honey chipotle sauce is a spicy BBQ sauce with sweet notes of honey in it. It has barbecue sauce mixed with orange juice, corn syrup, and lemon juice. It's made even spicier by adding red pepper and chipotle powder. Honey adds sweetness to this sauce.

2.22 from 61 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 minutes mins

Total Time 7 minutes mins

Course Copycat Recipes

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 140 kcal

Equipment

• Bowl
• Microwave
• Spatula
• Spoon

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 cup Light Corn Syrup
• 1/4 cup Barbecue Sauce
• 3 tablespoons Orange Juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 cup Honey
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground Red Pepper (like cayenne)
• 1 pinch Dried Chipotle Powder
• 2 drops Lemon Juice

Instructions

 

• Start by adding tomato puree in the saucepan along with adding onion powder and vinegar in it.
  
• Add citric acid, garlic powder and water into the saucepan.
  
• Now, add cornstarch slurry, honey and paprika into the saucepan.
  
• Lastly, season this honey chipotle sauce with salt and pepper.
  
• Your delectable sauce is ready to serve!
  

Nutrition

Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 500mg | Potassium: 85mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 26g | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg

Keyword Chili’s Honey Chipotle sauce, Spicy Chili’s Honey Chipotle Sauce, Traditional Chili’s Honey Chipotle Sauce

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

Share your experience with this Chili’s honey chipotle sauce in the comments below. Try out our other amazing recipes too.