Name: Chili's Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar; Juice of 1 lime (about 2 tbsp); Juice of ½ lemon (about 1 tbsp); 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice; 1 tablespoon orange zest; 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup); 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper

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This Chili’s Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe brings a bright, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor to any salad.

When I was growing up near the Oklahoma border, my family loved our weekend trips to Chili’s Grill & Bar. The drive was about 45 minutes, but we always looked forward to their fresh salads with that zesty citrus dressing.

My younger sister would ask for extra on the side – she even dipped her bread in it sometimes.

Even though I didn’t always enjoy eating greens, that dressing made every salad taste amazing. With just a few simple ingredients, it’s easy to make at home.

The fresh citrus and balsamic blend quickly into a smooth, flavorful dressing that can brighten up any meal.

Today I am sharing this my homemade Chili’s Copycat Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe.

What Makes This Chili’s Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette Special?

This dressing is a perfect mix of sweet and tangy flavors. The fresh citrus juices make it taste bright and sunny.

The balsamic vinegar gives it a rich, deep taste that we all love. When you shake it all together, it creates a smooth, beautiful dressing.

This copycat version lets you enjoy that famous restaurant taste right at your dinner table. It is much better than anything you can buy in a store.

Plus, you know exactly what is in it. There are no extra chemicals or preservatives. It is just pure, good flavor.

Chili’s Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette Ingredients

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (6 tablespoons): This is the base of the vinaigrette. It makes the dressing smooth and helps all the flavors combine. If you don’t have olive oil, you can use avocado oil or a light vegetable oil.
Balsamic Vinegar (2 tablespoons): This gives the dressing its classic dark color and a sweet, rich taste. For a stronger flavor, use an aged balsamic vinegar.
Fresh Lime Juice (from 1 lime): The lime juice adds a sharp, zesty kick. It makes the dressing taste fresh and exciting.
Fresh Lemon Juice (from ½ lemon): Lemon juice brings a sunny, sour note that balances the sweetness of the other ingredients.
Fresh Orange Juice (1 tablespoon): This adds a sweet and fruity flavor. Using juice from a real orange is much better than bottled juice.
Orange Zest (1 tablespoon): The zest is the colorful outer part of the orange skin. It is packed with citrus oils that give a powerful burst of orange flavor.
Honey (1 tablespoon): Honey sweetens the dressing and helps to thicken it a little. You can use maple syrup instead if you want.
Dijon Mustard (1 teaspoon): Mustard is not just for flavor. It also acts like glue to help the oil and vinegar mix together and stay mixed.
Salt (½ teaspoon): Salt makes all the other flavors stand out.
Black Pepper (¼ teaspoon): Freshly ground black pepper adds a little bit of spice.

Kitchen Essentials for This Recipe

Small Mixing Bowl: For combining everything.
Whisk: To mix the dressing until it is smooth.
Measuring Spoons and Cups: For getting the amounts right.
Citrus Juicer or Reamer: To get all the juice from your fruits.
Zester or Grater: For making the orange zest.
Airtight Jar or Bottle: For shaking and storing your vinaigrette.

How To Make Chili’s Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette

Making this dressing is very simple. It takes less than ten minutes.

Step 1 | Get Your Citrus Ready

First, wash your lemon, lime, and orange. Use your zester to remove the thin, bright skin from the orange. Be careful to only get the orange part, not the white underneath. Put the zest in your mixing bowl. Now, cut your lemon in half and your lime in half.

Squeeze the juice from one full lime and half a lemon into the bowl. Then, squeeze one tablespoon of juice from your orange. Add it to the bowl.

Step 2 | Combine All Ingredients

To the bowl with the citrus juices and zest, add the balsamic vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard. Also add the salt and black pepper. Now, slowly pour in the olive oil.

Step 3 | Mix It Well

Take your whisk and mix everything together very fast. Keep whisking for about a minute. You will see the dressing become smooth and slightly thick. This means it is emulsified.

You can also put all the ingredients in your airtight jar. Close the lid very tightly and shake it hard for about 30 seconds.

Step 4 | Serve and Enjoy!

Now your homemade Chili’s Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette copycat recipe is ready! You can use it right away on your favorite salad or store it in the fridge for later use.

Chef Tips + Notes

Shake Before Use: The oil and vinegar might separate after sitting. This is normal. Just give it a good shake or stir before you use it.
Fresh is Best: Using fresh-squeezed citrus juice makes a huge difference in the flavor. It tastes much brighter than juice from a bottle.
Let it Rest: For the best flavor, let the dressing sit for at least 15 minutes before you use it. This gives the flavors time to blend together.
Sweetness Level: Start with one tablespoon of honey. You can always add more later if you like a sweeter dressing.

What goes well with Chili’s Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette

This vinaigrette pairs well with more than just leafy greens. It’s excellent on spinach, arugula, or mixed salads with fresh fruit like strawberries or mandarin oranges.

Grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon taste amazing with a drizzle of this dressing, turning a simple protein into something special.

It also works well on roasted vegetables – think carrots, Brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes. Even grain bowls with quinoa, brown rice, or couscous benefit from a spoonful of this vinaigrette.

At Chili’s, this dressing is often served with their house salads, where it brings balance to crunchy greens, tomatoes, and cheese.

Making it at home lets you enjoy the same fresh flavor in many different ways.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Make-Ahead: This is a fantastic dressing to make ahead of time. In fact, it gets better! Making it a few hours or even a day before you need it allows the flavors to blend together perfectly. Just keep it stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.

How to Store: Always keep your vinaigrette in a container with a tight-sealing lid, like a mason jar or a salad dressing bottle. Store it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and tasty for up to 5 to 7 days.

Chili’s Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe FAQs

1. Can I use bottled lemon and lime juice?

You can, but I really recommend fresh juice. Bottled juice often has a different, less fresh taste. Fresh citrus juice makes this dressing taste bright and amazing. It is worth the little bit of extra work.

2. My dressing is too tart. What can I do?

No problem! The easy fix is to add a little more sweetness. Stir in another half tablespoon of honey. Taste it. Keep adding small amounts of honey until it tastes just right for you.

3. Why is my dressing not thickening up?

The key to a thick dressing is emulsification. This means mixing the oil and vinegar so they combine. Make sure you are whisking very fast or shaking the jar very hard. The Dijon mustard helps a lot with this. If it is still too thin, add a little more Dijon mustard and mix again.

4. Can I double the recipe?

Sure, double all amounts to make more. Use a bigger bowl to mix without mess. It stores well, so extra is handy for the week. Taste and adjust salt after doubling. This way, you have plenty for big meals or sharing. Keeps the same great taste from the base recipe.