Description
This Italian Grinder Chicken Salad is a vibrant and flavorful cold salad blending shredded rotisserie chicken with diced salami, pepperoni, provolone, and feta cheeses. Tossed in a tangy homemade dressing of mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, and banana pepper juice, this salad offers a perfect balance of savory, tangy, and slightly spicy tastes. Ideal for quick lunches or as a hearty sandwich filling, it can be served with crackers, veggies, or tortilla chips and stores well in the fridge for up to four days.
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 mild banana peppers
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced 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
- Make the dressing: Combine the 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 all ingredients into a tangy, flavorful dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed to suit your preference.
- Prepare the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded rotisserie chicken, diced salami or soppressata, diced pepperoni, provolone, crumbled feta, diced grape tomatoes, mild banana peppers, and thinly sliced or diced red onion. Mix gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Toss with dressing: Pour most of the prepared dressing over the combined salad ingredients. Toss thoroughly to coat every component evenly and enhance the overall flavor. Add additional dressing if a moister consistency is preferred.
- Storage: Transfer the chicken salad to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. It will keep fresh and flavorful for up to four days. This salad is perfect to serve chilled with veggies, crackers, tortilla chips, or as a fulfilling sandwich filling.
- Leftover dressing: Keep any leftover dressing in a sealed container refrigerated. You can add it back into the salad the next day if more moisture or flavor is desired, ensuring no ingredient goes to waste.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for convenience and enhanced flavor.
- Adjust the amount of banana pepper juice to control the salad’s heat level.
- This salad keeps well refrigerated and is perfect for meal prep.
- Serve with your favorite crackers or bread for a complete meal.
- Substitute salami or soppressata with other Italian deli meats if desired.
