Description
This vibrant Chopped Italian Salad is a fresh and flavorful mix of romaine, radicchio, chickpeas, salami, and a medley of Italian-inspired toppings, all tossed in a zesty homemade Italian dressing. Perfect for a quick, satisfying lunch or a light dinner, this salad offers a delightful combination of crunchy, tangy, and savory elements in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups romaine lettuce (chopped)
- 1 cup radicchio (chopped)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/2 cup red onion (diced)
- 15 ounces chickpeas (rinsed)
- 1 cup cucumber (halves, sliced)
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives (pitted, halved)
- 8 pepperoncini peppers (stemmed, seeded, sliced)
- 1 cup salami (chopped)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (shaved)
- 10–12 large basil leaves
Dressing
- 1/2 cup homemade Italian dressing
Instructions
- Prepare the Romaine: Slice the romaine lettuce lengthwise a few times and then crosswise into 1/2″ pieces to create sturdy, bite-sized chunks perfect for chopping.
- Mix the Base: Place the chopped romaine in a large mixing bowl as the foundation for the salad.
- Add Toppings: Layer the radicchio, cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, rinsed chickpeas, sliced cucumber, Kalamata olives, pepperoncini peppers, and chopped salami evenly over the lettuce.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle the homemade Italian dressing over all the ingredients and toss gently to coat everything evenly without wilting the greens.
- Finish with Cheese and Seasoning: Sprinkle shaved Parmesan cheese on top, then add salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste for balanced flavor.
- Garnish: Place large basil leaves on top for a fresh herbal aroma and a pop of color.
- Serve or Store: Serve immediately to enjoy the crisp textures. If preparing in advance, keep the salad undressed in the refrigerator to maintain freshness, adding dressing just before serving.
Notes
- For best texture, chop the romaine into uniform pieces to hold the salad together well.
- If you prefer a vegetarian option, omit the salami or substitute with a plant-based alternative.
- The salad can be prepared ahead by keeping all toppings separate from the dressing until ready to serve.
- Use freshly shaved Parmesan for better flavor rather than pre-grated cheese.
- Adjust the amount of pepperoncini peppers depending on your spice tolerance.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: chopped Italian salad, Italian chopped salad, chickpea salad, salami salad, easy Italian salad, healthy Italian salad, summer salad
