Italian Grinder Chicken Salad (Printable)

A hearty, flavor-packed salad inspired by the classic Italian grinder sandwich, featuring tender chicken, crisp vegetables, savory meats, and a zesty dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken and Seasonings

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp Italian seasoning
04 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
05 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Salad Vegetables

06 - 5 cups chopped romaine lettuce
07 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
08 - 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
09 - 1/3 cup sliced pepperoncini peppers
10 - 1/2 cup sliced cucumber
11 - 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, sliced

→ Meats and Cheese

12 - 1/3 cup thinly sliced salami
13 - 1/3 cup thinly sliced ham
14 - 1/3 cup sliced provolone cheese
15 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Dressing

16 - 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
17 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
18 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
19 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
20 - 1 medium garlic clove, minced
21 - 1/4 tsp salt
22 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

# Directions:

01 - Preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Brush the chicken breasts with olive oil and coat evenly with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
02 - Place chicken on the hot pan and grill for 6–7 minutes per side until fully cooked, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Let the meat rest for 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
03 - In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, pepperoncini peppers, cucumber, and roasted red peppers.
04 - Arrange the sliced grilled chicken, salami, ham, provolone slices, and grated Parmesan cheese over the bed of vegetables.
05 - In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, dried oregano, Dijon mustard, extra-virgin olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
06 - Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly, or serve layered for a composed presentation. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It satisfies that intense craving for a greasy sandwich without the heavy bread crash
  • The combination of salty meats and acidic peppers creates an addictive flavor bomb
02 -
  • Slicing the meat against the grain makes every bite tender rather than chewy
  • Letting the chicken rest is non-negotiable if you want juicy meat
03 -
  • Use a sharp knife to slice the meat so you don't tear up the delicate lettuce
  • Dry your lettuce completely after washing or the dressing will slide right off

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