Description
This Italian Chopped Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish packed with crisp romaine, juicy cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, chickpeas, olives, pepperoncini, mozzarella pearls, and Parmesan cheese. Tossed with a zesty homemade Italian dressing, it makes a perfect light lunch or side dish bursting with Mediterranean flavors.
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 chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, drained chickpeas, sliced olives, pepperoncini, mozzarella pearls, grated Parmesan, and chopped fresh parsley to a large salad bowl, ensuring an even mix of all components.
- Prepare 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 emulsified and well combined.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad bowl ingredients, then toss thoroughly so every piece is evenly coated with the vibrant and flavorful dressing.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the salad right away for the freshest texture and best flavor. Optionally, garnish further or add extra protein if desired.
Notes
- Add sliced salami, pepperoni, or grilled chicken for extra protein.
- Keep the dressing separate if preparing the salad ahead of time to maintain freshness and crispness.
- Use fresh mozzarella pearls for a softer, creamier texture.
- For a vegetarian meal, serve with crusty bread or alongside grilled vegetables for a complete satisfying dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
