Description
This Italian Grinder Chicken Salad is a flavorful, hearty dish combining shredded chicken, crisp iceberg lettuce, tangy pepperoncini, and a blend of Italian cheeses and spices, all tossed in a zesty homemade dressing. Perfect served as a salad or in a hoagie roll for an authentic deli-style sandwich experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast shredded
- 1/2 head iceberg lettuce shredded
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoncini
- 1/2 cup roasted red peppers chopped
- 1/2 cup provolone cheese diced
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1/4 cup salami slices chopped (optional)
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic minced
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine salad ingredients: Add the shredded chicken, shredded iceberg lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, sliced pepperoncini, chopped roasted red peppers, diced provolone, grated Parmesan, and chopped salami (if using) to the bowl with the dressing.
- Toss the salad: Gently toss all the ingredients together until everything is evenly coated with the dressing and well mixed.
- Adjust seasoning and serve: Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve immediately for the freshest flavor, or refrigerate for about 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
Notes
- This salad is hearty enough to be served on its own as a satisfying meal.
- You can serve it inside a hoagie roll for a classic Italian grinder-style sandwich.
- To lighten the salad, substitute half of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a tangier, lower-fat option.
- Make sure to shred the chicken finely so it blends well with the other salad ingredients.
- Refrigeration helps deepen the flavors but serve within 1-2 days for best freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 760 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
