Honey chipotle salmon takes just 5 minutes of prep work! Start with garlic honey chipotle butter sauce that’s as easy as zapping it in the microwave and allow the salmon to marinate. Then, just bake! It comes out flakey, tender, and buttery every time!

baked salmon on a plate with roasted Brussel sprouts

BRING ON THE GARLIC HONEY CHIPOTLE SALMON.

If you’re not convinced with just that drippy, sweet, savory, and spicy honey chipotle sauce, can I tell you about how this takes just 5 minutes of prep work and how you could totally meal prep this on Sunday and enjoy it for healthy boxed lunches during the week?

Can I also tell you about how this is the simplest recipe for baked salmon? If you can combine a few ingredients in a microwave-safe measuring cup then, baste you salmon and allow it to marinate, you can totally make today’s recipe. The honey garlic chipotle sauce is so delicious, your family will be licking their plates clean. And the best part? Clean up is going to be a breeze because it’s salmon baked in foil so you can just ball it up and take your best shot at the trash can.

My favorite meals are the ones that require the fewest dishes to clean afterward!

roasted salmon on sheet pan lifting with spatula

I know a lot of people are scared to make salmon at home. But with this easy honey chipotle salmon, you don’t have to be. All of the flavors are in the marinade, and all you really need to do is pour it on top and bake until the salmon until it’s tender and flakey. I made this recipe a few months ago and raved about it to my best friend (I don’t rave about my recipes to others often, but once in a while, I’m so obsessed, I have to.) And she immediately asked if she could get the recipe before I shared it. I, of course, was more than happy to oblige as it gives me a chance to pick apart her brain after she makes it. Would you believe her family loved it too? So I can already say that this Honey Chipotle Salmon has been a hit!

If you want to take it one step further in the summertime, you can place the foil right on a hot grill and place your salmon filets on top and cook until the salmon is just done. And if you’re extra fancy, you can grab cedar planks from the grocery store and grill the salmon on top for all that added cedar flavor.

Holy mackerel, that would be delicious!

flakey salmon close up on plate

What do you need to make garlic honey chipotle salmon?

  • butter
  • pressed garlic (or finely minced)
  • chipotle peppers + adobo sauce
  • honey
  • chopped parsley
  • salmon (either a whole fillet or cut into portions)

How to make portions from a salmon filet:

When you buy your salmon, you can simply ask the fishmonger to cut the large filets into portioned pieces. 

If this isn’t an option for you, you can lay the large filet on a clean cutting board and cut the salmon down the middle to make two equal portions. Then, cut the two pieces again to make four equal-sized portions. You want the filets to be as similar in size/weight as possible so that they all take the same amount of time to cook, and you don’t end up with an overcooked portion. 

ingredients for honey chipotle sauce in measuring cup

pouring marinade on salmon filets in glass dish

How to make the best garlic honey chipotle sauce:

In a microwave-safe measuring cup or bowl, zap together the butter, garlic, minced chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, honey, and parsley until the butter is *almost* melted. Then, stir using a spoon or a rubber spatula until the butter melts, and the sauce is thick and syrupy. 

Can I use this honey chipotle sauce on other seafood?

Yeah, sure! You can marinate raw shrimp in this sauce, about 10 minutes or so, and then cook them off in a hot skillet. You could also use tilapia or cod. Just remember that the baking time will vary if you change the type of fish!

What kind of salmon works best for this recipe?

I like and suggest using good quality salmon. My first preference is wild-caught sockeye or coho salmon, but I know that can be difficult to find. If you end up using a farm-raised salmon, I suggest steering clear of a salmon that has color added or is not farmed responsibly!

salmon filets marinating in glass baking dish

How to make honey chipotle salmon: 

  1. Place the salmon fillets in a baking dish that has sides. Then, pour the prepared marinade over the salmon, cover as let sit for 20 minutes (at room temperature), and if you’re going to be longer than that, let sit for 1-8 hours in the refrigerator. 
  2. Make sure to remove the salmon from the refrigerator at least 20-30 minutes before cooking so that the timings are accurate. The salmon will require additional time if you don’t let it sit at room temperature before baking. Then, place the salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with foil and drizzle any sauce that’s left in the baking dish over the salmon using a spoon or a basting brush.
  3. Bake the salmon. If the salmon fillet is about 1/2-3/4 inch in thickness, it will require 8-9 minutes. For fillets that are 1 inch in thickness or thicker, I suggest 10-11 minutes. I like to switch to the broiler setting during the last minute of cooking to give it a bit more color on top, however this is optional. 

freshly roasted salmon on baking sheet

What do I serve with this roasted salmon? 

This honey chipotle salmon is super simple and straightforward. There’s no flipping involved, no pan-searing, so it’s certainly something that even beginner-level cooks can make! It’s the type of recipe you want to email to your significant other, and *nudge nudge* ask them to make it for you the next time they cook you dinner.

Honey chipotle salmon is simple enough for weeknights but fancy enough to make for date night or Valentine’s Day!

baked salmon on roasted Brussel sprouts on a plate

Yield: 4-5 servings

Garlic Honey Chipotle Salmon

Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 33 minutes

Honey chipotle salmon takes just 5 minutes of prep work! Start with garlic honey chipotle butter sauce that’s as easy as zapping it in the microwave and allow the salmon to marinate. Then, just bake! It comes out flakey, tender, and buttery every time!

Garlic Honey Chipotle Salmon

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, pressed
  • 1 chipotle pepper, minced (plus 1-2 tablespoons adobo sauce)
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • ½ teaspoon EACH: salt AND pepper
  • 1 teaspoon chopped parsley (fresh or dried)
  • 1 ½ pounds salmon, (cut into 4-5 portions)

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl combine the chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, honey, garlic cloves, salt, pepper, and the knob of butter. Zap this in the microwave for 15-30 seconds or until the butter *almost melts*
  2. Place the salmon fillets in a 9x9 dish (with sides) and pour the prepared marinade over the salmon. Allow the salmon to marinate for at least 20 minutes and ideally 2-10 hours (you can just cover it and place it in the refrigerator and allow it to marinate while you’re at work.)
  3. When ready to prepare, preheat the oven to 450ºF. Line a baking sheet with foil. Place the salmon filets at least an inch apart from each other. Bake in the oven for 8-11 minutes depending on the thickness of the salmon, ours took exactly 9 minutes. Serve with steamed or roasted veggies, a baked potato, rice, or anything else you like!

Notes

  • Make sure to remove the salmon from the refrigerator at least 20-30 minutes before cooking so that the timings are accurate. The salmon will require additional time if you don’t let it sit at room temperature prior to baking.

Have you made this recipe?

If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below. You can also share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #LITTLESPICEJAR, I'd love to see what you made!

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