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Italian Grinder Chicken Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 58 reviews

This Italian Grinder Chicken Salad is a flavorful and satisfying cold salad that combines shredded rotisserie chicken, a variety of deli meats, cheeses, and tangy vegetables all tossed in a zesty red wine vinegar and banana pepper dressing. Perfect for a quick lunch or as a filling for sandwiches, this salad offers a delicious blend of savory, tangy, and mildly spicy flavors with a delightful Italian deli-inspired twist.

Ingredients

Scale

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 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • freshly cracked pepper (to taste)
  • salt to taste (about 1/4 tsp)

Instructions

  1. Prepare 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 to blend. Taste and adjust seasoning or acidity as needed to balance the flavors.
  2. Mix the Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine all of the toppings including shredded rotisserie chicken, diced salami or soppressata, diced pepperoni, provolone, feta, diced grape tomatoes, banana peppers, and the sliced or diced red onion. Toss gently to mix evenly.
  3. Add the Dressing: Pour most of the prepared dressing over the combined ingredients in the bowl. Toss thoroughly to coat all the components with the dressing evenly. If necessary, add the remaining dressing to ensure everything is well dressed.
  4. Storage: Transfer the salad to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will keep fresh for up to 4 days, making it a great make-ahead meal option.
  5. Serving Suggestions and Leftover Dressing: Serve the salad chilled with fresh veggies, crackers, tortilla chips, or as a hearty sandwich filling. If you have leftover dressing, store it separately in a sealed container in the fridge. Add to the salad when reheating to rehydrate and maintain moistness, as the dressing gets absorbed over time.

Notes

  • The choice of deli meats (salami or soppressata) can be adjusted based on preference or availability.
  • Adjust the amount of banana pepper juice depending on your desired level of tang and heat.
  • This salad is ideal for meal prep as the flavors deepen after resting overnight.
  • Can be served as a sandwich filling using hoagie rolls or Italian bread for a classic Italian grinder experience.
  • Salad stays fresh in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 4 days.

Keywords: Italian chicken salad, Italian grinder salad, rotisserie chicken salad, deli meat salad, no-cook salad, sandwich filling, cold salad

Find it online: https://bitesizedbenny.com/italian-grinder-chicken-salad-recipe/