Italian Grinder Antipasto Chicken Salad
This Italian Grinder Antipasto Chicken Salad is bursting with fresh, zesty Italian flavors and tender chicken—perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner!
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/2 cup black olives pitted and sliced
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper diced
- 1/4 cup red onion finely chopped
- 1/4 cup Italian dressing
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese diced
- 1/4 cup turkey bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Start with 2 cups of cooked chicken that has been shredded into bite-sized pieces. Use leftover roasted chicken, poached chicken breasts, or store-bought rotisserie chicken.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the black olives, dice the green bell pepper, and finely chop the red onion.
- Cook the turkey bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Once cooled, crumble into small pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cherry tomatoes, black olives, green bell pepper, red onion, diced mozzarella cheese, and crumbled turkey bacon. Sprinkle in dried oregano, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour 1/4 cup Italian dressing over the salad mixture. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to let flavors develop.
Equipment
- Skillet
- Large Mixing Bowl
Notes
- Use freshly cooked chicken for the best texture and flavor, or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Try a homemade or high-quality Italian dressing with garlic and herbs for authentic flavor.
- Don’t skip fresh basil garnish to add a bright, fresh aroma.
- Add red pepper flakes for a subtle spicy kick if desired.
- Chill the salad before serving to allow flavors to meld beautifully.