✔ Updated · new copycat recipe with step photos
This copycat Zaxby's Honey Chipotle Sauce is a creamy sweet heat dip: honey and smoky chipotle in adobo whisked into mayo with a squeeze of lime. It takes 5 minutes and is made for chicken fingers.
How Do You Make Zaxby’s Honey Chipotle Sauce? (Quick Answer)
Whisk 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons honey, 1 to 2 minced chipotle peppers in adobo plus 1 teaspoon of the adobo sauce, 1 tablespoon ketchup, 1 teaspoon lime juice, smoked paprika and garlic powder. Chill for 30 minutes and serve with chicken fingers.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Start with one chipotle pepper. Canned chipotles vary a lot in heat, so taste before adding the second.
Why You'll Love This Honey Chipotle Sauce
- Sweet then smoky honey up front, chipotle after.
- 5 minutes one bowl, no cooking.
- Any time of year no waiting for the holiday menu.
- Adjustable heat one pepper or two.
- Uses the rest of the can freeze leftover chipotles for later.
What Is Zaxby’s Honey Chipotle Sauce?
Honey Chipotle is the new holiday sauce at Zaxby's, billed as a sweet heat addition to its chicken. It is a limited time sauce, so it won't be around for long.
Zaxby's hasn't shared what goes into it, so this is my version: a creamy dipping sauce built on honey and smoky chipotle, in the same style of dip as the classic Zax Sauce.
Ingredient Notes
Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.
- Chipotle peppers in adobo: smoked jalapeños in a tangy red sauce.
- Honey: the sweet half of sweet heat.
- Mayonnaise: makes it a creamy dip.
- Ketchup and lime: a little tang and color.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Mince to a paste. Big chipotle pieces make some bites much hotter than others.
- Use a mild honey. Clover honey lets the chipotle shine.
- Thin it for wings. Whisk in 1 tablespoon melted butter and toss with hot wings.
- Freeze the rest of the can. Spoon single chipotles onto parchment, freeze, then bag them.
- Keep it cold. It lasts about 1 week in the fridge.
- Our split plate. Max goes for this one and Lucy dips in the classic sauce, so I make both.
Zaxby’s Honey Chipotle Sauce
6
servings5
minutes0
minutes140
kcal5
minutesA copycat Zaxby’s Honey Chipotle Sauce: a creamy sweet heat dipping sauce of honey, minced chipotle in adobo, mayonnaise, a little ketchup, lime and smoked paprika, made for chicken fingers, wings and fries. Makes about 3/4 cup.
Ingredients
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons honey
1 pepper chipotle peppers in adobo, minced (or 2 for more heat)
1 teaspoon adobo sauce from the can
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 pinch fine salt
Directions
- Mince the chipotle peppers very finely, almost to a paste, with a pinch of salt.
- Add the mayonnaise, honey, minced chipotle, adobo sauce, ketchup, lime juice, smoked paprika and garlic powder to a bowl.
- Whisk until smooth and evenly orange. Taste, then add more chipotle for heat or more honey for sweetness.
- Chill for 30 minutes so the smoke and heat come through, then serve with chicken fingers, wings or fries.
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Storage
Keep it covered in the fridge for up to 1 week. Stir before serving.
More Chicken Finger Sauces
Try the classic Zaxby's sauce, my Raising Cane's sauce and the new spicy Chick-fil-A sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zaxby's Honey Chipotle sauce?
It's a new sweet heat sauce on the Zaxby's holiday menu, offered for a limited time alongside the chain's chicken fingers and wings. This copycat makes it creamy with honey and chipotle in adobo.
Is it spicy?
It's medium. The honey softens the chipotle, and you can control the heat with the number of peppers.
How long is it available at Zaxby's?
It's a seasonal sauce expected to stay on the menu into mid January. You can make this version any time.
What goes with honey chipotle sauce?
Chicken fingers, wings, fries, Texas toast, burgers and chicken wraps.
How is it different from regular Zaxby's Sauce?
The classic is a peppery mayo and ketchup sauce. This one is sweeter and smoky. For the original, see my <a href="https://recipefairy.com/zaxbys-sauce/">Zaxby's sauce recipe</a>.
