Description
A vibrant and flavorful Italian Salad with grilled chicken, packed with fresh romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and cheeses, all tossed in a zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for a healthy and satisfying main course that’s quick to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Salad
- 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup sliced cucumber
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/3 cup sliced black olives
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced
- 1/2 cup croutons
Dressing
- 1/3 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Season and Grill Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. Grill them over medium heat for 6 to 7 minutes on each side, ensuring they are cooked through. Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes to retain juices before slicing.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, mix together chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, sliced black olives, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan cheese, and sliced pepperoncini peppers.
- Add Chicken to Salad: Place the sliced grilled chicken over the mixed salad ingredients.
- Toss with Dressing: Drizzle the Italian dressing evenly over the salad and gently toss to combine all ingredients and coat with dressing.
- Add Croutons and Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle croutons on top to add a satisfying crunch. Serve the salad immediately for the best texture and freshness.
Notes
- You can substitute grilled chicken with rotisserie chicken for added convenience.
- For a lighter version, use a low-fat Italian dressing to reduce calories and fat content.
- Add sliced avocado or roasted red peppers to enhance the salad’s flavor and nutritional value.
