Description
This Italian Chopped Salad is a vibrant and crisp mix of fresh romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, chickpeas, Kalamata olives, pepperoncini, mozzarella pearls, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley. Tossed with a zesty homemade Italian dressing made from olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and herbs, this salad is perfect as a refreshing side dish or a light, satisfying lunch. It’s quick to prepare, gluten-free, and vegetarian-friendly.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, chopped
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup Kalamata or black olives, sliced
- ½ cup pepperoncini, sliced
- ½ cup mozzarella pearls
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
For the Dressing:
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: Add the romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, chickpeas, olives, pepperoncini, mozzarella pearls, grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley to a large salad bowl.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients in the large bowl.
- Toss to Coat: Thoroughly toss the salad so that all the vegetables and cheese are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the freshest texture and flavors. If preparing ahead, keep dressing separate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Add sliced salami, pepperoni, or grilled chicken for extra protein.
- Keep the dressing separate if preparing the salad in advance to maintain freshness.
- Use fresh mozzarella for a softer, creamier texture.
- For a vegetarian meal, serve with crusty bread or grilled vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
