Italian Deli Chopped Chicken Salad (Printable Version)

Vibrant, hearty salad with chopped chicken, salami, provolone, crisp lettuce, and tangy herb dressing inspired by classic Italian deli flavors.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped
02 - 3 ounces Italian salami, chopped
03 - 3 ounces provolone cheese, diced

→ Vegetables

04 - 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
07 - 1/2 cup sliced pepperoncini
08 - 1/2 cup cucumber, diced

→ Dressing

09 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
11 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
12 - 1 garlic clove, minced
13 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
15 - 1/2 teaspoon sugar
16 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
17 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Method:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper until fully emulsified. Set aside.
02 - In a large salad bowl, combine chopped romaine, halved cherry tomatoes, finely chopped red onion, cucumber pieces, and sliced pepperoncini.
03 - Add the chopped chicken, salami, and diced provolone cheese to the bowl with vegetables.
04 - Drizzle the prepared dressing over all salad ingredients.
05 - Using salad tongs, toss all components together until evenly coated with dressing.
06 - Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
07 - Transfer to serving plates immediately and garnish with extra pepperoncini or fresh herbs if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • Every forkful delivers that perfect Italian sub shop flavor without the bread
  • The dressing transforms simple ingredients into something restaurant-worthy
  • You can prep everything ahead and toss it together in minutes
02 -
  • Cutting everything uniformly small is what makes this salad special and different from regular chopped salads
  • The dressing tastes even better if you make it an hour ahead and let the flavors mingle
  • This salad does not sit well dressed, so only dress what you'll eat immediately
03 -
  • Use a sharp knife and take your time with the chopping, it makes all the difference
  • Let the dressing sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before tossing
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