Looking for a healthy and delicious weeknight dinner that comes together quickly? This Chipotle Baked Salmon with Avocado Salsa is an easy baked salmon recipe packed full of nutrition and flavor.
Easy Baked Salmon Recipe
I have two young kids so anything with the word “easy” in it is my jam these days. I find that unfortunately the word “easy” in a recipe can oftentimes mean it’s lacking in flavor. Not in my house! In spite of the legit craziness that are the hours between 4:00-7:00 PM I’m still not willing to sacrifice on a flavorful dinner.
So an easy recipe that also tastes delicious? Sign me up! this Baked Chipotle Salmon with avocado salsa absolutely fits the bill. It comes together quickly too. Simply marinate and bake your salmon and while the salmon is baking chop up your salsa. Rice or other grains are optional for serving (I like it to complete the meal) but you do you!
This has been on the dinner rotation A LOT lately.
Ingredients Needed
- Salmon – I like fresh wild caught salmon if you can find it.
- Olive oil – You could also use avocado oil for both the salmon and salsa.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – this helps round out the acidity.
- Chipotles in adobo – these can be found in most grocery stores in the latin american section.
- Tamari – I use tamari to keep the recipe gluten-free. If you don’t have tamari you can use soy sauce.
- Honey – for sweetness. Maple syrup also works.
- Avocados – Ideally use large ripe hass avocados.
- Cucumber – I use English cucumber but any cucumber will work here.
- Cilantro – Or another fresh herb if desired.
- Jalapeno – feel free to leave some seeds if you like spice or remove entirely
- Lime – juiced. You could also use lemon if you don’t have lime.
- Feta – or other crumbled cheese but ideally feta because the tanginess pairs well with the avocado salsa.
- Salt + Pepper – add more or less to taste and sodium preferences.
- Rice – or any other grain for servings.
How to Make Chipotle Baked Salmon
STEP 1: MARINATE SALMON
Add salmon to a sheet pan or large baking dish and pat dry with a paper towel. In a small bowl combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, chipotles in adobo, tamari and honey. Pour marinade over salmon and use a spoon to spread evenly. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
STEP 2: BAKE SALMON
Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes or until salmon is cooked to your liking. Check your salmon after 15 minutes as baking time will depend on thickness of salmon.
How to Make Avocado Salsa
STEP 3: MAKE AVOCADO SALSA
While salmon is baking combine avocados, cucumber, cilantro and jalapeno in a large bowl. Top with olive oil and lime juice. Stir in crumbled feta and salt and pepper, to taste.
STEP 4: SERVE
To serve salmon, cut into 4 pieces and top on a bed of rice (or other grain) and sprinkle with avocado salsa.
FAQs
How long should I bake salmon? Great question! This depends on the thickness of your salmon but generally your salmon will be ready if baked in a 400 degree oven for 15-20 minutes. Check at 15 minutes and if you want it cooked a bit more you can always put it back in the oven.
I would definitely say it’s on the spicier side. Chipotles in adobo tend to have a kick! For the avocado salsa you can leave out the jalapeno if you don’t want the extra spice.
Unfortunately that’s just the name of the game for avocado. As avocado sits it gets oxidizes and turns brown. The lime juice should help a bit but it will just brown over time. It will still taste delicious for up to 3 days though.
Yes! This recipe is gluten-free.
If you leave the feta out of the salsa it will be dairy-free.
Storage Instructions
Store your easy baked salmon leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave, oven or air fryer. Truthfully, it won’t taste as delicious reheated but it will work in a pinch! Avocado salsa will also keep for 3 days but the avocado will brown as it oxidizes.
More Healthy Seafood Dinners:
Chipotle Baked Salmon with Avocado Salsa
Looking for a healthy and delicious weeknight dinner that comes together quickly? This Chipotle Baked Salmon with Avocado Salsa is an easy baked salmon recipe packed full of nutrition and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Latin
- Diet: Gluten Free
For the Baked Chipotle Salmon:
- 1 1/4 lbs salmon
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp chopped chipotles in adobo
- 2 tbsp tamari
- 2 tbsp honey
- sprinkle of salt + pepper
Avocado Salsa:
- 2 avocados, cubed
- 1 large English cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 jalapeno, seeded + chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta
- salt + pepper, to taste
Rice or other grain for serving (if desired)
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Add salmon to a sheet pan or large baking dish and pat dry with a paper towel.
- In a small bowl combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, chipotles in adobo, tamari and honey.
- Pour marinade over salmon and use a spoon to spread evenly. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes or until salmon is cooked to your liking. Check your salmon after 15 minutes as baking time will depend on thickness of salmon.
- While salmon is baking combine avocados, cucumber, cilantro and jalapeno in a large bowl.
- Top with olive oil and lime juice.
- Stir in crumbled feta and salt and pepper, to taste.
- To serve salmon, cut into 4 pieces and top on a bed of rice (or other grain) and sprinkle with avocado salsa.
- See instructions above for storage.
