Description
Italian Grinder Chicken Salad combines tender shredded chicken breast with savory salami, tangy pepperoncini, fresh cherry tomatoes, and crisp romaine lettuce, all tossed in a creamy, zesty dressing made with mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard. This no-cook, flavorful salad captures the essence of a classic Italian grinder sandwich in an easy-to-make, protein-packed salad perfect for a light lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast (shredded or chopped)
- 1/2 cup sliced salami (cut into strips)
- 1/4 cup sliced pepperoncini
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/4 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded provolone cheese
- 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, place the shredded chicken, salami strips, sliced pepperoncini, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, shredded mozzarella, shredded provolone, and chopped romaine lettuce. Gently mix all these components together evenly.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This dressing will provide a tangy and flavorful coating to the salad ingredients.
- Toss the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the combined salad ingredients. Toss everything thoroughly to ensure that each component is evenly coated with the dressing for balanced flavor in every bite.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately for best freshness, or chill it in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving. Enjoy as a nutritious main course salad or as a filling for sandwiches and wraps.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a convenient shortcut that adds extra flavor with minimal prep.
- For a low-carb variation, omit the cherry tomatoes or reduce the amount of red onion.
- This salad makes a delicious filling for sandwiches or wraps, offering versatile serving options.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad, Main Course
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian-American
