Chipotle Ranch Dressing
Get ready for the most amazing ranch dressing that brings serious smoky heat to your table! Your family and friends are going to absolutely love this creamy, spicy twist on classic ranch that takes just 5 minutes to make.
Recipe Details
Timing & Servings: Active Time: 5 minutes, Total Time: 5 minutes, Serves: 8 people.
Nutrition Profile: Sesame-Free, Diabetes-Friendly, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Heart-Healthy, Vegetarian, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free.
Nutrition Facts (per serving): 41 Calories, 3g Fat, 3g Carbs, 2g Protein.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Greek yogurt: You’ll need ½ cup of whole-milk plain strained yogurt, and Greek-style works perfectly here. This adds amazing creaminess plus those good-for-you probiotics!
Reduced-fat sour cream: Half a cup gives you that classic tangy ranch flavor while keeping things lighter. Regular sour cream works too if that’s what you have.
Chipotle peppers in adobo: This is where the magic happens – 1½ tablespoons of chopped peppers plus 1½ tablespoons of that smoky adobo sauce. You can find these in the international aisle of most grocery stores.
Fresh chives: Two tablespoons chopped up adds that perfect oniony bite. Fresh is best, but dried chives work in a pinch.
Water: Just 2 tablespoons helps thin out the dressing to the perfect consistency.
Fresh parsley: One teaspoon of chopped flat-leaf parsley brings fresh herby flavor. Curly parsley works too!
Garlic powder: One teaspoon gives you that garlicky goodness without any prep work.
Lime juice: Just 1 teaspoon adds brightness that balances all that smoky heat perfectly.
Dried dill: A quarter teaspoon brings that classic ranch herb flavor we all love.
Salt and pepper: ¼ teaspoon each to make all those flavors pop.
How to Make Chipotle Ranch Dressing
Step 1: Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the yogurt and sour cream first. Add the chopped chipotle peppers and adobo sauce next. Then whisk in the chives, water, parsley, garlic powder, lime juice, dill, salt and pepper until everything is smooth and well combined.
Easy and Quick Chipotle Ranch Version
Want to make this even faster? You can totally use store-bought ranch dressing as your base! Just mix ½ cup of your favorite ranch with 1 tablespoon chopped chipotle peppers and 1 tablespoon adobo sauce. Stir it up and you’re done in 2 minutes flat!
Serving Ideas
This zesty dressing is perfect for so many things! Drizzle it over crispy tater tots or french fries for an amazing appetizer. It’s also incredible on chicken sandwiches or as a dipping sauce for fresh veggies like carrots, celery, and bell peppers.
Storage
Store your chipotle ranch in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Give it a good stir before using since it might separate a little – that’s totally normal!
Substitutions
Want to make this dairy-free? You can swap in your favorite dairy-free yogurt and sour cream brands. The flavor will be a little different, but still delicious! If you can’t find chipotle peppers, try using a pinch of smoked paprika plus a dash of hot sauce instead.
Pro Tips
- Spice Control: Start with less chipotle if you’re sensitive to heat – you can always add more!
- Leftover Peppers: Freeze extra chipotle peppers in ice cube trays so they’re ready for your next batch
- Best Flavor: Let the dressing sit for 30 minutes before serving to let all those flavors meld together
- Consistency: Add an extra tablespoon of water if you want it thinner for drizzling
FAQs
Is ranch dressing healthy?
As creamy dressings go, this ranch dressing is definitely a winner! We lighten it up by using reduced-fat sour cream and Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt contains protein and probiotics, those good-for-you bacteria that help keep your gut healthy. So while you’re not eating tons of this at once, what you do use will add to your probiotic intake!
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
You bet! You can swap in dairy-free yogurt and sour cream using your favorite store-bought brands. Just keep in mind that changing ingredients will alter the flavor and nutrition a bit, but it’ll still be tasty!
What do I do with leftover chipotle peppers?
Great question! Leftover chipotle peppers can be frozen in an ice cube tray or small container. Use them in soups, taco bowls, roasted vegetables, or any dish where you want that smoky flavor. They’re super versatile!
Can I adjust the spice level in this recipe?
Sure! You can totally adjust the amount of chipotle peppers to get the heat level that’s perfect for you. Start with less if you’re not sure, then add more to taste.
I’d love to hear how your chipotle ranch turns out! Drop a comment and let me know what you served it with – I’m always looking for new ideas to share with everyone.
