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My new go-to weeknight dinner – Spicy Chipotle Honey Salmon Bowls. Smoky, slightly spicy, chipotle roasted salmon, with cilantro vinaigrette, served over bowls of steamed rice with a salted feta and avocado salad…plus some creamy chipotle mayo too. These colorful and fresh salmon bowls might seem involved, but they’re simple to make and full of so much flavor.
I’ve mentioned this before, but I can often go through phases of loving certain styles of food. Right now, I’m loving any dish served bowl style. Ideally with rice, but greens are great too!
Either way, I have so many fresh spring “bowls” lined up for you that I can’t wait to share! But this spicy salmon is my favorite. It really does have everything good piled into one bowl. Steamed rice, chipotle roasted salmon, a salty and creamy avocado feta salad, plus some chipotle mayo to really round out the bowl.
The details are simple
Which you might not guess by looking at the ingredient list. I promise the recipe just looks long, but it’s really not hard at all.
Start out with the salmon. I love to roast the salmon in the oven with a mix of chipotle in adobo, oil, honey, and a touch of tamari (or soy sauce). The honey really helps balance out the heat and the tamari adds a salty umami flavor. This may seem odd, but trust me, it’s so delish.
Throw everything into the oven to roast. The entire cooking process is honestly less than 10 minutes, it’s so fast! And just like with my salmon tacos, I love to give everything a little crispiness right before I pull the pan out of the oven. So for the last minute of cooking, I switch the oven to broil. I then let everything get a nice crispiness around the edges. Be sure to watch carefully though!
If you’re not a fan of salmon, or just want to switch things up, I think a buttery fillet of cod would be delicious too. Or even just some shrimp!
While the salmon cooks, I make the simplest cilantro vinegaratte and then an avocado salad/salsa situation.
For the vinegaratte, there are just a few simple ingredients. But I do think it’s important to make. It really adds a nice sauciness to the bowl. Just a little oil, vinegar, honey, and cilantro are all you need!
And the salad. This might just be my favorite layer in this bowl. Avocado, cucumber, so much cilantro, so much feta cheese, a serrano pepper (you can use a jalapeño too), cumin, a little oil, and a lemon-lime mix.
I love mixing the lemon and lime for a mix of citrus, it’s subtle but unexpected.
Assemble
Steam the rice. Of course, quinoa, brown rice, or really any other grain would work too. Then layer everything in… salmon, salad, drizzle over the vinegarette, and dollop with lots of chipotle mayo.
So much happening, but really it comes together quickly since we’re just repeating ingredients throughout.
Totally delicious and this will be great for the warmer spring and summer days ahead.
Looking for other salmon recipes? Here are a few…
Sheet Pan Chipotle Salmon Tacos with Pineapple Jalapeño Salsa
Parchment Baked Roasted Red Pepper Salmon
Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter
Lastly, if you make these Spicy Chipotle Honey Salmon Bowls, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Spicy Chipotle Honey Salmon Bowls
Servings: 4
Calories Per Serving: 1040 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 4 (4-6 ounce) salmon filets, cut into bite-size chunks
- 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1-2 tablespoons chopped chipotle in adobo
- 2 tablespoons, plus 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 3-4 cups cooked rice
Avocado Feta Salad
- 2 avocados, diced
- 2 small cucumbers, chopped
- 1 serrano or jalapeño, sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 cup crumbed feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Chipotle Mayo
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1-2 tablespoons chopped chipotle in adobo
- 2 teaspoons honey
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 450° F. 2. On a baking sheet, toss the salmon pieces with 3 tablespoons olive oil, chipotle in adobo, 2 tablespoons honey, tamari (or soy sauce), and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Arrange in a single layer. Roast 10-15 minutes or until the salmon is cooked to your liking. During the last minute, switch the oven to broil and broil until lightly charred. Set the salmon aside.3. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons honey, and the apple cider vinegar. Stir in the cilantro and season with salt and pepper. Set the sauce aside for serving.4. To make the salad. Combine the avocado, cucumbers, serrano pepper, cilantro, cumin, and feta in a bowl. Toss with the olive oil, lime, lemon juice, and season with salt. 5. For the mayo, combine all ingredients in a bowl. 6. Spoon the salmon over the bowls of rice. Top with the avocado salad and drizzle the cilantro lime sauce over everyting. Add a dollop of spicy mayo. Enjoy!
This post was originally published on April 25, 2022
I absolutely LOVE this recipe. The only problem is that my husband doesn’t like salmon. Would chicken work in this recipe?
Hey Amanda,
Wonderful! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, love to hear it was enjoyed!
Totally, chicken will be delicious!🎄
I was planning to make this over the weekend but I have a question. In step 6 you mention to drizzle the cilantro lime sauce (which I’m assuming is step 3), but I don’t see how much lime to add. Can you help me out? I can’t wait to make this!
Thanks so much, Susana!! You can use 1 tablespoon of lime juice. I hope you love this recipe!
I have been making this since 2021. Everyone begs me to make this. Its delicious!
Hey Amanda,
Happy Monday! I’m so glad to hear this recipe is always enjoyed. Thanks a lot for making it so often and your comment!
This is crazy good. I didn’t use the sauce because I didn’t think it needed it. The bowl was a flavor bomb in all the best ways. Highly recommended.
Hey there,
Wonderful! I am so glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a lot for making it!🎃👻
i love this recipe! But I always get a little confused when I make it. I top the salmon/rice with the avocado/feta salad with the cilantro/lime/lemon/cumin dressing. But what do I do with the first sauce – oil/honey/apple cider vinegar/cilantro? Are there two dressings for the bowl plus the avocado mayo?
Hey Julie,
Thanks for making this recipe so often and your feedback, love to hear it is always enjoyed! You really can do them in any order, but there’s the cilantro sauce then the salad and then the mayo. I hope this helps! xT
One of my favorite meals to make. So good and quick to make!
Thank you SO much Suz! Love to hear you are enjoying these salmon bowls! Have a great day!! xT
The salmon is amazing. The mayo and sauce are also really nice although I wasn’t sure I needed two types of sauces the Mayo was enough. The salad or salsa did not suit much. I think that’s the only part I will change up. Maybe it’s texture and dressing. Maybe it’s not a separate item but just avocado sliced on the side and the entire bowl has ONE sauce, a lighter consistency mayo!
Hi there! I’m so glad you loved the salmon! Totally hear you on the sauces, keeping just the mayo or a lighter single sauce sounds like a great way to make it simple! Have a great week! xT
OMG this is bursting with so much flavor I have already made it twice and making again soon. The whole family loved it. Amazingly delicious!
Awww yay love to hear this Jen! Thanks so much for trying out these salmon bowls! Have a great week! xT
I have been making this recipe for a few years now and it is just the best! My husband and I are obsessed! 😋
Hi Makenzie! I am so glad you and your husband are enjoying this recipe! Thanks so much for the kind comment! 🙂 xT
Delish! The last step says to add the “cilantro lime dressing” but lime isn’t listed as an ingredient?
So sorry for the confusion, I meant to top it with the avocado feta salad! 🙂 xT
Making this again! New family favorite. How much cilantro goes in the dressing?
Hi Corinne! So sorry for the confusion, the dressing/mayo doesn’t call for any cilantro, it’s just a chipotle mayo! Let me change that recipe now! xT
This is my family’s favorite recipe!! They ask for it every time they come home! So easy and so yummy!!!
Aw thank you sooo much Cheryl! So glad you enjoyed this recipe! xT
We just keep making this recipe and adding seasonal toppings, BBQ the Salmon, and add grilled corn with all the other fabulous toppings. So yummy!
Hey Kym,
Yay! Thank you so much for trying this dish and your comment, I’m so glad to hear it was a hit! Have the best week!
So good. So easy! Must make.
Perfect for a summer evening – the salmon was perfectly done!
Hey Emily,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe and your feedback, love to hear it was enjoyed!
My favorite! So easy & tasty. My son made it for us 4 years ago. I ask for it every year when we visit. It’s been 1 month and I miss it so much I’m making it for dinner.
Hi Debi,
Awesome! I appreciate you trying this recipe and your feedback, so glad it turned out well. Have the best week! x
Loved this recipe. Made if for a dinner party and everyone loved it!
Thanks so much, Jenny! So glad you enjoyed this dish, I appreciate you making it and your feedback! Have a wonderful weekend! xx