Description
This Italian Chopped Salad is a vibrant, crisp, and refreshing dish that combines fresh romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, chickpeas, olives, pepperoncini, mozzarella pearls, Parmesan cheese, and parsley. Tossed in a tangy homemade Italian dressing with olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and herbs, it makes a perfect side dish or a light, satisfying lunch bursting with Mediterranean flavors.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 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
Dressing Ingredients
- 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
- Prepare the salad base: Add the chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, drained and rinsed chickpeas, sliced Kalamata or black olives, sliced pepperoncini, mozzarella pearls, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped 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 and emulsified.
- Toss the salad: Pour the freshly made dressing over the salad ingredients in the large bowl. Toss thoroughly using salad tongs or two large spoons to ensure every ingredient is evenly coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Serve immediately: For the freshest texture and best flavor, serve the salad right away. It can be enjoyed as a side dish or a light, healthy lunch.
Notes
- Add sliced salami, pepperoni, or grilled chicken for extra protein if desired.
- Keep the dressing separate if preparing the salad ahead of time to maintain crispness.
- Use fresh mozzarella pearls for a softer, creamier texture that complements the salad.
- For a vegetarian meal, serve alongside crusty bread or grilled vegetables for added heartiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
