• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Beyond Mere Sustenance logo
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • RECIPES
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • RECIPES
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • HOME
    • ABOUT
    • RECIPES
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Yucatan Chipotle Chicken Spinach Salad

    Published: Apr 26, 2020 · Last Modified: Aug 19, 2021 by Beyond Mere Sustenance with 1 Comment· This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads ·

    Share this post!

    315 shares
    • Share187
    • Twitter

    This post may contain affiliate links, see my Privacy Policy and Disclosure Statement

    Pinterest pin of a wooden bowl of Yucatan-inspired spinach salad with a cruet of chipotle-citrus vinaigrette behind.

    A healthy new way to use rotisserie or leftover chicken, this Yucatan Chipotle Chicken Spinach Salad features fresh produce like oranges, jicama, and avocado tossed with a chipotle-citrus vinaigrette. This healthy, flavorful spinach salad can be on your table in less than 30 minutes!

    Yucatan chipotle chicken spinach salad in a wood salad bowl topped with avocado and pepitas.
    Jump to:
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Tamara Talks - Leftover Chicken and Yucatán Recipes
    • 🍊 What is Yucatecan Cuisine?
    • 📋 Ingredients You'll Need
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 💭 Tips
    • 🍾 Pairing Suggestions
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 🥗 More Healthy Main Dish Salads
    • 💬 Comments

    "Twenty pesos! You couldn't even afford corn tortillas anymore on twenty pesos. The Americans were buying all the maize for fuel, and none of the rancheros could afford to use it for food. What did come down to the people was too expensive to purchase. So Nayeli danced on down the street to her second job, serving tacos and soft drinks at La Mano Caída.

    ~~ Luis Alberto Urrea, Into the Beautiful North, 2009

    👩🏻‍🍳 Tamara Talks - Leftover Chicken and Yucatán Recipes

    Self-proclaimed "foodies" have a difficult time getting excited about leftovers, and I am no exception! My refrigerator hides a veritable arsenal of microscopic fungi in the form of colorful mold on uneaten food that seemed less than appealing the next day.

    I am, however, working hard at being a better steward, and creating less waste. Urrea's novel provided yet another reminder of the excesses of our "first world" culture. We waste - a lot!

    A few days ago, my husband Mark and I entertained close friends to celebrate the completion of Fred's much-anticipated doctorate. I did tostones with a garlic and citrus dipping sauce, and Yucatán-Spiced Chicken with chayote squash and chiles. The flavorful roasted chicken was marinated in ancho chile and citrus. As usual, I made too much food.

    I was pretty intent on not wasting the delicious leftover chicken, but the thought of reheating leftovers for dinner the following night made me shudder 😜. Instead, I relied upon my knowledge of Mexican cooking and flavor profiles in creating a quick and delicious spinach salad with the spicy citrus flavors found in Yucatán cuisine.

    An orange bowl with spinach salad with chicken and citrus tossed with chipotle-citrus vinaigrette and sprinkled with pepitas and fresh mint.
    2014 photo

    This recipe uses a few of the typical, healthy ingredients found in Yucatán cooking - pepitas (roasted pumpkin seeds), jicama, oranges, avocados, and chiles. When I originally created this recipe, I lived in New Mexico, and ripe or nearly-ripe avocados were hard to come by. This was a "leftovers" recipe and planned at the last minute, the original photos do not have avocado. However, they do include julienned jicama.

    However, the more recent photos in 2020 include the avocado, and an abundance of citrus, but in the midst of the 2020 health crisis, I couldn't get the jicama. Be flexible as you plan the dish, and use the ingredients you love and find locally!

    A white square bowl of the rotisserie chicken and spinach salad with avocado and grapefruit, grey napkin, and fork.

    🍊 What is Yucatecan Cuisine?

    Former New York City Chef David Sterling describes Yucatecan cuisine as a "Maya platform with European influences on top." In addition to European influences, you'll find Caribbean as well.

    Achiote (aka annatto), sour oranges (naranja agria), chiles, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), and exotic spice blends are ubiquitous in Yucatecan cooking. This is the land of moles, cochinita pibil, and tamales, with an emphasis on fresh and local ingredients. I might add it is my favorite regional Mexican cuisine!

    One of my first food adventures in 2015 when we moved to McAllen, Texas was with chaya (aka Mexican tree spinach). Long used by the Mayans for both food and medicine, chaya is an obscure super food loaded with vitamins and minerals. I have used it in Mexican fried rice and Mexican cauliflower "rice" bowls.

    I have never found sour oranges in the US, though we have enjoyed them often in Peru. I find that a mix of citrus gets close to the flavor, as they are more tart than our sweet oranges. For the purposes of this recipe, I typically use orange or grapefruit sections in the salad, and use a mix of orange or grapefruit with lime juice in the vinaigrette.

    These two articles provide a good overview of the cuisine: Cooking in the Yucatan: Bright Flavors and Unique Ingredients and Food in the Yucatan.

    This hearty main dish salad recipe comes together in minutes if you're starting with already-cooked chicken. Keep in mind the chicken (with the original recipe) was already marinated in citrus juices and ancho chile, then roasted. You can marinate your chicken in citrus, garlic, and ancho - ingredients found in the recipe noted above - and grill it, or even use the breast from a rotisserie chicken to save time. The dressing will provide the flavors...

    📋 Ingredients You'll Need

    Here is a quick look at the ingredients in the recipe – it’s handy to use at the grocery store or as a summary of what you need. Skip to the recipe for quantities.

    Ingredients for chipotle citrus vinaigrette on a cutting board.

    Chipotle Citrus Vinaigrette

    • citrus zest and juice - I use a mixture of orange, grapefruit, and lime in the dressing and the salad.
    • olive oil
    • vinegar
    • dijon mustard
    • red chile powder - You can use ground chipotle powder or a little adobo from canned chipotles. They're hot, so add carefully. I have also substituted both ancho and New Mexico red chile powder.
    • agave nectar - Agave nectar is sweeter by volume than honey or maple syrup. They're both good substitutes, but you'll want to taste and adjust.
    Ingredients for Yucatan chipotle chicken spinach salad: rotisserie chicken, fresh mint, red bell pepper, avocado, red onion, citrus, toasted pepitas, chipotle-citrus vinaigrette in a cruet, and a big bowl of spinach.

    Spinach Salad

    • cooked chicken - This is a great way to use rotisserie chicken, meal prep chicken, or leftover chicken.
    • spinach - Any tender greens will make a good substitute!
    • citrus sections - This can be oranges or grapefruit, or a combination of fresh citrus. Choose your favorites!
    • jicama - We love the slightly sweet crunch of jicama.
    • red pepper
    • red onion
    • avocado
    • pepitas - Almonds make a good substitution
    • fresh mint sprig
    • Chipotle-Citrus Vinaigrette

    🔪 Instructions

    • Prepare the vinaigrette - Combine all ingredients in a small food processor or blender. Blend until smooth. Taste for seasoning.
    • Prep the salad ingredients - Cube the chicken, section the citrus, thin-slice the red pepper, julienne the jicama, toast the pepitas. Slice the avocado last! (To avoid browning).
    • Toss the salad - I put the chicken, spinach, red onion, and red bell pepper in a large salad bowl, and toss well with about half of the vinaigrette. I then add the avocado, avocado, and jicama and toss lightly. This may help keep all the "goodies" from migrating to the bottom of the bowl.
    • Serve the salad - Using salad tongs, place salad in an appropriate bowl or plate. Drizzle with a little more vinaigrette, and sprinkle with fresh mint. Enjoy!
    A white square bowl of chicken and spinach salad with chipotle-citrus vinaigrette, a grey napkin, silver flatware.

    💭 Tips

    • Keep ancho chile powder, pepitas, and citrus on hand if you love these flavors! See well-stocked pantry.
    • What kind of chicken should I use? This is a great way to use leftover chicken, but even an hour or two in a marinade and the time on the grill make this a quick and healthy dinner salad. This is a great way to use rotisserie chicken. If you're into "meal prep," consider marinating chicken breast in citrus juices, achiote, garlic, and chipotle or ancho before cooking. I'll work on a recipe soon!
    • A "bullet" or "ninja" type small food processor works really well for salad dressings. Blenders work fine, but they're a pain for a small batch of dressing. Small food processors don't handle liquids very well.
    • Think about "flavor profiles" and be creative! Mango and other tropical fruits would work well in place of the citrus. Cilantro and jalapeno can substitute for the mint and ancho.
    Yucatan chicken salad, a glass of wine, a bottle of chipotle citrus vinaigrette, a grey napkin, and flatware.

    🍾 Pairing Suggestions

    We usually enjoy this salad with a viognier (if we have one in the rack) or a chardonnay that isn't too heavy on the oak. If you're a craft beer drinker, try the salad with a saison (farmhouse ale) or a fruit-forward wheat.

    This spinach salad with chicken and spinach is a healthy "one dish meal," on its own, but if you need more carbs, tortillas are delicious alongside!

    Signature in red and green with chiles and limes. Healthyish Latin cuisine.

    📖 Recipe

    Yucatan Chicken Spinach Salad with Chipotle Vinaigrette

    Tamara Andersen
    A great use for leftover or rotisserie chicken, this Yucatan-inspired spinach salad with chicken and citrus features a spicy citrus vinaigrette, and an array of fresh, healthy ingredients!
    4.75 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 4 hrs 25 mins
    Total Time 4 hrs 25 mins
    Course Salads
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 404 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 16 ounces cooked chicken see Notes below
    • 6 cups spinach +/-
    • 1 to 2 cups citrus sections grapefruit, tangerine, or orange
    • ½ to 1 cup jicama peeled and julienned
    • 1 red pepper thin-sliced
    • ¼ cup red onion sliced thin
    • 1 avocado sliced thin
    • ¼ cup pepitas toasted
    • fresh mint leaves sliced thin (about a tablespoon)

    Chipotle-Citrus Vinaigrette

    • zest of 1 orange lime, lemon or grapefruit
    • ¼ cup juice of orange grapefruit, lime, grapefruit
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
    • ¼ to ½ teaspoon chipotle or ancho chile powder
    • 1 teaspoon agave nectar
    • ¼ to ½ teaspoon sea salt and fresh ground pepper

    Instructions

    • Prepare the vinaigrette - Combine all ingredients in a small food processor or blender. Blend until smooth. Taste for seasoning.
    • Prep the salad ingredients - Cube the chicken, section the citrus, thin-slice the red pepper, julienne the jicama, toast the pepitas, chiffonade the mint. Slice the avocado last! (To avoid browning).
    • Toss the salad - I put the chicken, spinach, red onion, and red bell pepper in a large salad bowl, and toss well with about half of the vinaigrette. I then add the avocado, avocado, and jicama and toss lightly. This may help keep all the "goodies" from migrating to the bottom of the bowl.
    • Serve the salad - Using salad tongs, place salad in an appropriate bowl or plate. Drizzle with a little more vinaigrette, and sprinkle with fresh mint. Enjoy!

    Notes

  • Keep ancho chile powder, pepitas, and citrus on hand if you love these flavors! See well-stocked pantry.
  • What kind of chicken should I use? This is a great way to use leftover chicken, but even an hour or two in a marinade and the time on the grill make this a quick and healthy dinner salad. This is a great way to use rotisserie chicken. If you're into "meal prep," consider marinating chicken breast in citrus juices, achiote, garlic, and chipotle or ancho before cooking. I'll work on a recipe soon!
  • A "bullet" or "ninja" type small food processor works really well for salad dressings. Blenders work fine, but they're a pain for a small batch of dressing. Small food processors don't handle liquids very well.
  • Think about "flavor profiles" and be creative! Mango and other tropical fruits would work well in place of the citrus. Cilantro and jalapeno can substitute for the mint and ancho.
  • Macronutrients are an approximation from MyFitnessPal.com for reference purposes only!
  • Nutrition

    Calories: 404kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 18g

    NOTE: Macronutrients are an approximation only using unbranded ingredients and MyFitnessPal.com. Please do your own research with the products you’re using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.

    Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment and/or star rating! Email us with any questions: tamara@beyondmeresustenance.com

    🥗 More Healthy Main Dish Salads

    Healthy Mexican Chicken Salad
    Chicken salad with a twist... Avocado and yogurt base with rotisserie chicken, jicama, chiles, and bell pepper. Try it on greens with tomatoes, in a wrap or sandwich, or on a corn tortilla tostada style!
    Check out this recipe
    A wood bowl of Mexican chicken salad without mayo and wooden utensils.
    Southwestern Farro Bowl • Mid-Life Croissant
    A plant-based grain bowl that will satisfy even the most carnivorous among us. This Southwestern Farro Bowl is loaded with smoky, tangy flavors and chewy, creamy textures.
    Check out this recipe
    Southwestern Farro Bowl • Mid-Life Croissant
    Lima Beans and Grain Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
    A light and refreshing salad with lots of whole grain and fiber goodness from dried lima beans and barley... Fresh zucchini, grape tomatoes, and creamy avocados with a simple citrus and cilantro vinaigrette make this Lima Bean and Grain Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette a perfect side or light summer supper!
    Check out this recipe
    Lima Beans and Grain Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
    Grilled Mexican Steak and Arugula Salad
    Lean flank steak gets a soak in a red chile marinade before it's grilled, and gets combined with sweet mango, creamy avocado, and peppery arugula. It's all dressed with a tangy red chile and garlic vinaigrette!
    Check out this recipe
    Grilled Steak and Arugula Salad tossed with mango, avocado, and guajillo vinaigrette in a black bowl with a fork and linen napkin.
    Roast Carrot Lentil Salad with Feta & Dukkah • Little Sugar Snaps
    Roast Carrot Lentil Salad with Feta & Dukkah is a tasty, satisfying and healthy lunch to knock up on a cool day. Easy to prepare & loaded with goodness.
    Check out this recipe
    Roast Carrot Lentil Salad with Feta & Dukkah • Little Sugar Snaps

    « Peruvian Lima Bean Salad
    Savory Peruvian Quinoa Breakfast Bowls »

    Share this post!

    315 shares
    • Share187
    • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tamara says

      April 26, 2020 at 3:02 pm

      This is wonderful one-dish meal, with lots of possible variations. Really, this could be considered a template as much as it is a recipe.

      Reply

    I'd love to hear from you! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    A photo of Tamara Andersen in floral top in front of ficus tree.

    A Little About Me

    Hola from the Rio Grande Valley in south Texas! I'm Tamara, the recipe developer, cocktail mixologist, photographer, and writer behind Beyond Mere Sustenance. Read more→

    Popular Recipes

    • Homemade Tajín Recipe (Copy Cat)
    • Peruvian Beans
    • Moroccan Carrot Salad With Lemon Dressing
    • Peruvian Yellow Sauce

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy and Disclosure

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Get in Touch

    Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. This helps to offset the costs of maintaining my blog and creating awesome content! 😊

    Copyright © 2022 Beyond Mere Sustenance