Chipotle Honey Glazed Ham for Special Occasions

Name: Honey Baked Ham Recipe with Orange Chipotle Glaze
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 125 min
Ingredients: 8-12 pounds ham (spiral sliced); 3 tablespoon honey; 2 tablespoon unsalted butter (melted); 1/2 teaspoon orange zest; 1 tablespoon orange juice; 3 tablespoon pan sauce; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 chipotle pepper (smashed); 2 tablespoon orange juice; 2 tablespoon brown sugar

If you’re looking for a show-stopping ham that’s juicy, glossy, and packed with bold flavor, this Orange Chipotle Honey Glazed Ham is it. Sweet citrus, smoky chipotle, and sticky honey come together to create a perfectly balanced sweet and spicy glazed ham that’s ideal for holidays, Sunday dinners, or anytime you want something truly special.

Yes, it's seriously good. Better than turkey (unless you're talking this droolworthy sous vide turkey breast....)

This isn’t just another baked ham with honey glaze—the orange zest brightens every bite, while the chipotle adds just enough heat to keep things interesting. It’s the kind of holiday glazed ham recipe that has everyone hovering around the oven asking when dinner’s ready.

You can also make this sous vide ham for ultra juicy ham with a honey chipotle glaze.

sliced ham n a platter with orange slices

Why This Recipe Works

Rubbing a layer of butter and honey on the ham before baking helps it stay sweet, tender, and juicy throughout cooking.
Covering the ham while it bakes locks in moisture and prevents drying.
Broiling after brushing on the glaze creates a beautifully caramelized, sugary crust.
Using a chipotle pepper in the glaze gives this orange chipotle glazed ham just the right amount of smoky heat.
And bonus—those leftovers are perfect for making this Instant Pot Bean Soup!

Jump to:

Why This Recipe Works
What Is My Take on Orange Chipotle Honey Glazed Ham?
Make It a Meal
Easy Side Dishes
Ingredients
Step By Step Instructions
Expert Tips
Common Questions
Storing Instructions
Recipe
💬 Comments

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What Is My Take on Orange Chipotle Honey Glazed Ham?

This ham is the perfect mix of cozy and exciting. The chipotle honey ham glaze brings smoky heat, the orange keeps things fresh, and the honey ties it all together with sticky-sweet goodness. It’s bold without being overpowering, and fancy without being fussy.

I love that it feels classic enough for the holidays but different enough to stand out on a crowded table of traditional dishes.

Make It a Meal

This honey baked ham is amazing on its own, but don’t toss that bone! Save it to make this Instant Pot Split Pea Soup or this instant pot bean soup.

Leftover ham is incredibly versatile—use it in sandwiches, soups, casseroles, pasta, or omelets. Be sure to check out this collection of Leftover Ham Recipes for even more ideas.

Easy Side Dishes

Serve this holiday glazed ham recipe with:

These sides balance the sweet and spicy flavors beautifully.

Ingredients

Spiral Sliced Ham: You’ll want to purchase a fully cooked spiral sliced ham and place it in a sturdy roasting pan to catch all those flavorful juices. If it comes with a glaze packet, you can toss it—we’re making a much better one here.

Honey: I love a good organic honey—any kind works. We’ve been using “city honey” lately, sourced from a hive removed from a telephone pole in the city. It’s incredible and adds amazing depth to the glaze.

Orange Zest/Juice: Fresh is best here for the brightest citrus flavor.

Chipotle Pepper: Buy chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. They’re smoky, spicy, and delicious, and a little goes a long way.

Brown Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar both work well to help create that sticky, caramelized glaze. Use a turkey baster to collect the pan juices from the roasting pan and mix them into the glaze for maximum flavor.

Step By Step Instructions

Step1: Preheat the oven to 275 degrees.

Step2: Combine the melted butter, honey, orange zest and orange juice in a bowl.

Rub the mixture on the ham, getting in between the slices when you can.

Step3: Cover the ham with foil and bake for about 12-15 minutes per pound.

Remove from the oven and take the foil off. Baste it with the pan sauce every 30 minutes to keep it moist.

Step4: Place it under the broiler until it is sizzling and the sugar starts to caramelize, about 5-10 minutes depending on your broiler. Make sure you watch it to ensure it doesn't burn.

How To Make Orange Chipotle Glaze

Step 1: Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and heat over medium heat until simmering. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until mixture has become thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove the chipotle pepper so only the glaze remains.

Step 2: To get the pan sauce, spoon it out of the roasting pan of the ham or use a turkey baster. I highly recommend using a turkey baster.

Expert Tips

Try to rub the orange honey butter mixture in between the slices if you can without ripping them off the ham.
Use additional orange zest for a more intense orange flavor.
For a 10 pound ham, I recommend cooking for about 120 minutes at 275 degrees for the perfect juicy ham.
Cover the ham in foil to prevent it from drying out. I also recommend basting it every 30 minutes to keep it juicy.
Use a turkey baster to extract pan drippings for the glaze.
Using a hot honey adds an amazing tangy flavor to the ham.
The chipotle pepper is optional if you prefer no spice.

Common Questions

How to I Cook a Pre-cooked Ham?

A pre-cooked ham should be cooked at a low temperature (275 degrees) for about 12-15 minutes per pound to heat it through. This allows it to heat without over-drying.

How Do You Keep a Ham Moist?

I highly recommend covering the ham with foil while baking to keep it moist. Also, baste with the pan sauce every 30 minutes.

When Should You Glaze Your Ham?

Ham should be glazed when it is finished cooking/heating. Brush it on at the end and place it under the broiler to caramelize.

Storing Instructions

Store leftover orange chipotle glazed ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze sliced ham for up to 2 months for easy future meals.

Did you make this Orange Chipotle Honey Glazed Ham Recipe? Rate the recipe and leave a comment to let me know how they turned out!