Description
This Italian Grinder Chicken Salad is a flavorful and hearty dish combining shredded rotisserie chicken with a mix of Italian deli meats, cheeses, and fresh vegetables tossed in a zesty homemade dressing. Perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner, it offers the savory taste of an Italian sandwich in salad form, ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 1/4 lb. salami or soppressata, diced
- 1/4 lb. pepperoni, diced
- 1/4 cup provolone, thick-sliced, diced
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta
- 2/3 cup diced grape tomatoes
- 1/3 cup mild banana peppers
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced or diced
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1-2 tablespoons banana pepper juice (from the jar, to taste)
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Freshly cracked pepper, to taste
- Salt, to taste (about 1/4 tsp)
Instructions
- Make the dressing: Combine all the dressing ingredients — mayonnaise, grated parmesan, red wine vinegar, banana pepper juice, oregano, garlic powder, freshly cracked pepper, and salt — in a bowl or liquid measuring cup. Whisk thoroughly until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary to achieve your preferred balance of tanginess and spice.
- Prepare the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded rotisserie chicken, diced salami or soppressata, diced pepperoni, diced provolone, crumbled feta, diced grape tomatoes, mild banana peppers, and thinly sliced or diced red onion. Mix gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Toss with dressing: Pour most of the prepared dressing over the salad mixture. Toss well to evenly coat all ingredients with the dressing. Add more dressing if needed to ensure every bite is flavorful but not soggy.
- Storage: Transfer the salad to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This chicken salad pairs well with fresh veggies, crackers, tortilla chips, or can be used as a hearty sandwich filling.
- Leftover dressing: Store any leftover dressing in a sealed container in the fridge. It can be added back to the chicken salad on subsequent days to refresh the flavors and moisture.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for convenience and added flavor.
- Adjust banana pepper juice amount depending on your heat preference.
- Can be served chilled or at room temperature.
- Perfect for meal prep and sandwiches.
- Store salad and dressing separately if planning to keep longer for freshness.
