Italian Grinder Chicken Salad Recipe

Introduction

This Italian Grinder Chicken Salad is a vibrant and flavorful mix of rotisserie chicken, deli meats, cheeses, and fresh veggies tossed in a tangy homemade dressing. It’s perfect for a quick lunch, a light dinner, or served alongside crackers and chips for a tasty snack.

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, 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, about 1/4 teaspoon or to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the dressing by combining mayonnaise, grated parmesan, red wine vinegar, banana pepper juice, oregano, garlic powder, pepper, and salt in a bowl or liquid measuring cup. Stir well and taste, adjusting vinegar or seasoning as needed for a tangy kick.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, mix together the shredded rotisserie chicken, diced salami or soppressata, diced pepperoni, provolone, crumbled feta, diced grape tomatoes, banana peppers, and red onion.
3. Step 3: Pour most of the dressing over the combined ingredients and toss thoroughly to coat everything evenly. Add the remaining dressing if you want a creamier texture.
4. Step 4: Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Serve chilled with your choice of veggies, crackers, tortilla chips, or use it as a hearty sandwich filling.

Tips & Variations

• Adjust the quantity of red wine vinegar for added tang as desired.
• Swap salami or soppressata with your favorite deli meats like ham, prosciutto, or spicy pepperoni.
• Use either provolone or feta alone if preferred—just double the quantity for a stronger flavor.
• If the salad seems dry after sitting, stir in some extra dressing before serving to rehydrate.

Storage

Store the salad in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If the salad dries out over time, gently toss in any leftover dressing to refresh it before serving. The dressing itself can be kept separately in a sealed container for up to a week.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, this salad keeps well for several days in the fridge, making it an excellent make-ahead meal. Just keep it well sealed and stir a little dressing back in before serving if needed.

What can I serve with Italian Grinder Chicken Salad?

This salad pairs wonderfully with fresh vegetables, crunchy crackers, tortilla chips, or as a filling for sandwiches and wraps.

Italian Grinder Chicken Salad Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 70 reviews

This Italian Grinder Chicken Salad is a flavorful and satisfying dish combining shredded rotisserie chicken, a variety of diced deli meats, fresh vegetables, and a tangy, homemade Italian dressing. Perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner, this salad can be served with crackers, tortilla chips, or on a sandwich, offering a deliciously zestful meal with Mediterranean-inspired flavors.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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 cheese
• 2/3 cup diced grape tomatoes
• 1/3 cup mild banana peppers
• 1/2 red onion, sliced thin or diced

Dressing Ingredients

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1–2 tablespoons banana pepper juice from the jar, to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
• About 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Instructions

1. Make the dressing: Combine all the dressing ingredients — mayonnaise, grated parmesan, red wine vinegar, banana pepper juice, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and freshly cracked pepper — in a bowl or liquid measuring cup. Stir well until smooth and taste, adjusting salt, pepper, or vinegar for desired tanginess.
2. Mix the salad ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the shredded rotisserie chicken, diced salami or soppressata, diced pepperoni, provolone, crumbled feta, grape tomatoes, banana peppers, and sliced or diced red onion.
3. Dress the salad: Pour most of the dressing over the salad ingredients in the bowl. Toss thoroughly to ensure everything is well coated. Add the remaining dressing as needed to achieve your preferred consistency and flavor coverage.
4. Store and serve: Transfer the Italian grinder chicken salad into an airtight container and refrigerate. It can be stored for up to 4 days. Serve chilled with veggies, crackers, tortilla chips, or use as a filling for sandwiches.
5. Use leftover dressing: If any dressing remains after tossing the salad, keep it sealed in the fridge. Add extra dressing when serving the salad on subsequent days as the dressing tends to be absorbed over time, helping to rehydrate the dish.

Notes

• For a stronger tang, add more red wine vinegar in the dressing as needed.
• Feel free to swap or combine deli meats such as ham, prosciutto, or different types of pepperoni to your preference.
• You can use either just provolone, just feta, or both cheeses. If using only one type of cheese, consider doubling the quantity to maintain flavor balance.
• This salad can be enjoyed on its own, with crackers or tortilla chips, or used as a delicious sandwich filling.

Keywords: Italian Grinder Chicken Salad, Rotisserie Chicken Salad, Italian Chicken Salad, Deli Meat Salad, Easy Lunch Salad, No-Cook Salad