Description
This Italian Grinder Chicken Salad is a vibrant, flavorful mix of shredded rotisserie chicken, assorted Italian deli meats, and fresh vegetables, all tossed in a zesty homemade dressing. Perfect for a quick, satisfying meal or a delicious sandwich filling, this salad combines creamy cheeses, tangy banana peppers, and savory spices for a delightful Italian-inspired dish.
Ingredients
Meat and Cheese
- 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
Vegetables
- 2/3 cup diced grape tomatoes
- 1/3 cup banana peppers (mild)
- 1/2 red onion (sliced thin or diced)
Dressing
- 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 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Freshly cracked pepper (to taste)
- Salt to taste (about 1/4 teaspoon)
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. Stir well and taste; adjust seasoning if needed to suit your preference.
- Combine the salad ingredients. In a large bowl, add the shredded rotisserie chicken, diced salami or soppressata, diced pepperoni, diced provolone, crumbled feta, diced grape tomatoes, banana peppers, and thinly sliced or diced red onion. Mix the toppings together gently.
- Toss with dressing. Pour most of the prepared dressing over the bowl of salad ingredients. Toss thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly coated. Add the remaining dressing if needed to achieve desired moisture and flavor balance.
- Store or serve. Transfer the salad to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Serve chilled with veggies, crackers, tortilla chips, or use as a filling for sandwiches.
- Save leftover dressing. If there is any dressing remaining, store it separately in a sealed container in the fridge. It can be added back to the chicken salad when serving later to rehydrate the ingredients, as some dressing is absorbed during storage.
Notes
- This salad can be enjoyed on its own, as a hearty snack, or inside sandwiches for a delicious Italian-style meal.
- Adjust the amount of banana pepper juice to control the tanginess and heat level in the dressing.
- Use freshly shredded rotisserie chicken for best flavor and texture.
- Store the salad and dressing separately if you prefer a less moist salad when serving later.
- The salad tastes even better after allowing it to chill and marinate for a few hours to meld the flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
