Transform your favorite Italian grinder sandwich into a fresh, protein-packed salad that’s perfect for meal prep, picnics, or a satisfying lunch. This Italian Grinder Chicken Salad captures all the bold flavors of the classic sub in a healthier, more versatile format.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
This Italian Grinder Chicken Salad brings together the best of both worlds – the hearty satisfaction of a grinder sandwich with the fresh appeal of a salad. The combination of tender rotisserie chicken, savory Italian meats, and creamy cheeses creates a filling meal that’s ready in just 15 minutes. The tangy, herb-infused dressing ties everything together with authentic Italian flavors that will transport you to your favorite deli.
What makes this recipe truly special is its versatility. Serve it over crisp lettuce for a traditional salad experience, stuff it into a pita pocket, or enjoy it with crackers for a sophisticated appetizer. It’s also meal-prep friendly, staying fresh in the refrigerator for days while the flavors continue to meld and improve.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Salad:
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 1/4 lb. salami or soppressata, diced
- 1/4 lb. pepperoni, diced
- 1/4 cup provolone, thick-sliced and diced
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2/3 cup diced grape tomatoes
- 1/3 cup banana peppers, mild
- 1/2 red onion, sliced thin or diced
For the Dressing:
- 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 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Salt to taste (about 1/4 tsp)
How to Make Italian Grinder Chicken Salad:
Creating this flavorful Italian Grinder Chicken Salad is surprisingly simple and requires no cooking. The key is using quality ingredients and allowing the flavors to marry together for the best taste experience.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Dressing In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, grated parmesan, red wine vinegar, and banana pepper juice. Add the oregano, garlic powder, freshly cracked pepper, and salt. Whisk until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Step 2: Prep the Proteins and Cheeses If using whole pieces, dice the salami, pepperoni, and provolone into bite-sized pieces (about 1/4-inch cubes). Shred the rotisserie chicken into bite-sized pieces, removing any skin or bones.
Step 3: Prepare the Vegetables Dice the grape tomatoes into halves or quarters depending on size. Slice the red onion thinly or dice it based on your preference. Drain the banana peppers and roughly chop if they’re large pieces.
Step 4: Combine Everything Add the shredded chicken, diced salami, pepperoni, provolone, and crumbled feta to the bowl with the dressing. Gently fold to coat all ingredients with the dressing.
Step 5: Add Fresh Elements Fold in the diced tomatoes, banana peppers, and red onion. Mix gently to distribute evenly without breaking up the delicate ingredients.
Step 6: Chill and Serve Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled over lettuce, in sandwiches, or with crackers.
Helpful Tips:
Choose high-quality Italian meats for the best flavor – visit your local deli counter for freshly sliced salami and pepperoni rather than pre-packaged options when possible. The thickness and quality of these meats significantly impact the final taste.
When shredding rotisserie chicken, remove all skin and any cartilage for the best texture. Cold chicken is easier to shred neatly than warm chicken.
Dice all ingredients to roughly the same size for consistent bites and better distribution of flavors in each forkful.
Don’t skip the chilling time – this allows the dressing to penetrate the ingredients and the flavors to develop fully.
For extra freshness, add the tomatoes just before serving to prevent them from releasing too much liquid into the salad.
Details:
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4-6 servings
Cuisine: Italian-American
Diet: Gluten-free (when served without bread)
This recipe yields approximately 4-6 servings depending on portion size. Each serving provides a substantial amount of protein from the chicken and Italian meats, making it a satisfying meal option.
Notes:
The banana pepper juice in the dressing is key to achieving that authentic grinder flavor – it adds both tang and a subtle heat that complements the other ingredients perfectly.
Feel free to adjust the meat and cheese ratios based on your preferences. Some people prefer more salami, while others might want extra pepperoni.
For a lighter version, you can substitute half the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt, though this will change the flavor profile slightly.
This salad is naturally gluten-free, making it suitable for those with gluten sensitivities when served over lettuce or with gluten-free crackers.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this salad ahead of time? Yes, this Italian Grinder Chicken Salad actually improves with time as the flavors meld. It can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
What can I substitute for rotisserie chicken? You can use any cooked chicken – grilled, baked, or poached chicken breasts work well. Leftover chicken from another meal is also perfect for this recipe.
Can I use different types of Italian meats? Absolutely! Try mortadella, capicola, or prosciutto. The key is using flavorful Italian cured meats that complement each other.
Is this recipe keto-friendly? Yes, this Italian Grinder Chicken Salad is naturally low in carbohydrates and high in protein and fat, making it suitable for ketogenic diets.
How can I make this dairy-free? Substitute the cheeses with dairy-free alternatives and use vegan mayonnaise in the dressing. Nutritional yeast can replace the parmesan for added flavor.
Can I add other vegetables? Certainly! Diced bell peppers, olives, or roasted red peppers would be excellent additions that maintain the Italian flavor profile.
Storage Instructions:
Store your Italian Grinder Chicken Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The salad is best consumed within this timeframe for optimal freshness and food safety.
If you plan to store the salad for more than a day, consider keeping the tomatoes separate and adding them just before serving to prevent excess moisture from affecting the texture.
For meal prep, portion the salad into individual containers along with lettuce or crackers for easy grab-and-go meals throughout the week.
Do not freeze this salad, as the mayonnaise-based dressing and fresh vegetables will not maintain their texture after thawing.
Conclusion:
This Italian Grinder Chicken Salad successfully captures all the beloved flavors of a traditional Italian grinder sandwich in a fresh, versatile format. The combination of quality meats, creamy cheeses, and tangy dressing creates a satisfying meal that works for lunch, dinner, or entertaining.
Whether you’re meal prepping for the week, looking for a crowd-pleasing potluck dish, or simply craving the flavors of your favorite deli sandwich in a healthier format, this Italian Grinder Chicken Salad delivers on all fronts. The recipe’s flexibility allows for customization based on your preferences while maintaining the authentic Italian-American flavors that make grinder sandwiches so popular.
Try this recipe today and discover how easy it is to enjoy all the flavors you love in a fresh, new way. Your taste buds will thank you for this delicious twist on a classic favorite.