Best 10 Italian Style Chicken Salad Recipes

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In the realm of delectable dishes, Italian-style chicken salad stands out as a symphony of flavors, textures, and culinary artistry. This flavorful salad boasts succulent chicken, a medley of crisp vegetables, and a tangy dressing that tantalizes the taste buds. Its versatility allows for customization, making it a perfect canvas for personal preferences and dietary restrictions. Whether you savor it as a light lunch, a refreshing side, or a vibrant main course, this Italian-inspired chicken salad promises a delightful journey for your palate.

Embark on a culinary adventure with three enticing variations of Italian-style chicken salad, each offering a unique flavor profile. The classic recipe, a harmonious blend of tender chicken, crunchy celery, sweet grapes, and toasted walnuts, is dressed in a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing, creating a harmonious bite. For a lighter indulgence, the Greek-inspired variation incorporates tangy feta cheese, juicy tomatoes, and zesty lemon-oregano dressing, resulting in a Mediterranean-inspired delight. Lastly, the avocado-ranch dressing lends a creamy, herbaceous touch to the avocado-bacon rendition, featuring crispy bacon, ripe avocado, and a blend of herbs, culminating in a rich and satisfying salad.

Here are our top 10 tried and tested recipes!

ITALIAN STYLE CHICKEN SALAD



Italian Style Chicken Salad image

Warm roasted chicken and garlic adds flavor, fresh fennel and onion and celery give nice crunch. Served on a bed of arugula. You are going to love this one!

Provided by KrissyHipp30

Categories     Salad

Time 35m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 12

½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 lemons, juiced
1 (2 pound) roasted chicken, meat removed from bones and cut into bite-size pieces
1 bulb fennel, cored and cut into thin slices
3 stalks celery, thinly sliced
1 red onion, thinly sliced
½ cup chopped fresh parsley
½ cup mayonnaise
1 lemon, zested
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 bunch arugula

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir garlic until softened and golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Stir in lemon juice; set aside to cool.
  • Toss chicken, fennel, celery, red onion, and parsley together in a large bowl.
  • Stir in the cooled garlic and olive oil, mayonnaise, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper.
  • Arrange arugula on a serving platter; serve chicken salad on arugula.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 540.3 calories, Carbohydrate 8.2 g, Cholesterol 81.8 mg, Fat 45.2 g, Fiber 2.8 g, Protein 25.5 g, SaturatedFat 8.1 g, Sodium 225.2 mg, Sugar 2.3 g

ITALIAN CHICKEN PASTA SALAD



Italian Chicken Pasta Salad image

This Italian Chicken Pasta Salad is easy, ready in 20 minutes, and showcases some of my favorite summer ingredients. It's perfect for summer potlucks and BBQs, or as a no-fuss family dinner!

Provided by Averie Sunshine

Categories     30-Minute Meals

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 15

12 ounces rotini pasta, cooked according to package directions (I used tri-color rotini)
2 tablespoons olive oil for sauce + 1 tablespoon for cooking chicken
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon pepper, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional and to taste
1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces and seasoned with salt and pepper
1 cup Roma tomatoes, diced*
1 cup fresh basil leaves (laid loosely in measuring cup), sliced thinly
1 cup cucumber, peeled and diced
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, or more if desired

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, place in a large bowl, and set aside.
  • To a medium bowl or large measuring cup, add 2 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice (zest the lemon before juicing it), apple cider vinegar, honey, Italian seasoning, lemon lest, salt, pepper, and whisk to combine; set sauce aside.
  • To a large skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, add chicken and season with salt and pepper to taste, and cook over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, flipping intermittently so all sides cook evenly. Cooking time will vary based on thickness of chicken breasts and sizes of pieces. Chicken should be about 90% cooked through.
  • Add the sauce and allow it to bubble at a medium-fast boil for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until sauce has reduced some and chicken is cooked through. Stir sauce and flip chicken intermittently throughout. Add chicken and any cooking liquid to the pasta bowl.
  • Add the tomatoes, basil, cucumber, cheese, and toss gently to combine. Taste and check for seasoning balance, making any necessary adjustments (more Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, pinch of cayenne, splash of lemon juice, etc.) before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 558 calories, Carbohydrate 44 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 134 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 17 grams fat, Fiber 4 grams fiber, Protein 55 grams protein, SaturatedFat 5 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 1, Sodium 1634 milligrams sodium, Sugar 13 grams sugar, TransFat 0 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 11 grams unsaturated fat

ITALIAN CHICKEN SALAD IN LETTUCE CUPS



Italian Chicken Salad in Lettuce Cups image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     main-dish

Time 48m

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

10 cups coarsely shredded cooked chicken (from about 3 purchased roasted whole chickens)
2 cups roasted red and yellow bell peppers, drained, patted dry, and coarsely chopped
1 1/4 cups paper-thin slices red onion
3/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
3/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
1/2 cup drained capers
1 1/2 cups (about) Red Wine Vinaigrette, recipe follows
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
24 butter lettuce leaves (from about 3 large heads)
1 (4-ounce) piece Parmesan, shaved with vegetable peeler

Steps:

  • Toss the chicken, bell peppers, onion, parsley, almonds, and capers in a large bowl with enough vinaigrette to moisten. Season the chicken salad with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Arrange 1 large lettuce cup and 1 small lettuce cup on each plate, overlapping slightly. Spoon the chicken salad into the lettuce cups. Drizzle more vinaigrette over the salads. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and serve.
  • Do-Ahead Tip: The chicken salad can be prepared 4 hours ahead and refrigerated. Just before serving, spoon the salad into the lettuce cups.
  • 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • Combine the vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a blender. With the machine running, gradually add the oil and blend until emulsified.
  • Yield: 1 3/4 cups

ITALIAN CHICKEN SALAD



Italian Chicken Salad image

Categories     Salad     Chicken     Leafy Green     Bake     No-Cook     Quick & Easy     Salad Dressing     Vinegar     Mozzarella     Gourmet

Yield Makes 4 main-course servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

For croutons
4 cups (1/2-inch) cubes Italian bread (from a 1/2-lb crusty round loaf)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
For vinaigrette
1/4 cup red-wine vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
For salad
2 cups coarsely shredded cooked chicken (1/2 lb; from a rotisserie chicken)
1 cup bocconcini (small fresh mozzarella balls; 6 oz)
2 hearts of romaine (3/4 lb total), torn into bite-size pieces
1 (8-oz) jar roasted red peppers, rinsed, drained, and cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-wide strips
1 cup assorted marinated brine-cured olives (5 oz)

Steps:

  • Make croutons:
  • Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 400°F.
  • Toss bread cubes with oil and salt in a large shallow baking pan and spread in 1 layer. Bake, turning over once, until golden and crisp, about 8 minutes. Cool in pan on a rack.
  • Make vinaigrette and begin preparing salad while croutons bake:
  • Whisk together all vinaigrette ingredients except oil in a small bowl until combined. Add oil in a slow stream, whisking until emulsified.
  • Toss chicken and bocconcini together with 1/4 cup vinaigrette in a bowl and let stand 10 minutes to allow flavors to develop.
  • Make salad:
  • Toss together romaine, red peppers, olives, chicken and bocconcini mixture, croutons, and remaining vinaigrette in a large bowl until combined.

CLASSIC ITALIAN CHICKEN SALAD



Classic Italian Chicken Salad image

This Classic Italian Chicken Salad looks like restaurant fare, but it takes just 15 minutes to toss together.

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Home

Time 15m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 pkg. (10 oz.) torn mixed salad greens
1 pkg. (6 oz.) OSCAR MAYER CARVING BOARD Flame Grilled Chicken Breast Strips
2 tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup thin red onion slices
1/2 cup KRAFT Zesty Italian Dressing
1/4 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

Steps:

  • Toss salad greens with chicken breast strips, tomatoes and onions in large salad bowl.
  • Add dressing; mix lightly. Top with cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 180, Fat 9 g, SaturatedFat 2.5 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 40 mg, Sodium 700 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 15 g

ITALIAN CHICKEN PASTA SALAD



Italian Chicken Pasta Salad image

Provided by Geoffrey Zakarian

Categories     main-dish

Time 55m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Kosher salt
3 cups dried elbow macaroni
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup cubed rotisserie chicken
1 cup diced English cucumber (about 1/3 cucumber)
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped pitted Nicoise olives
1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers (about 1 whole)
1/2 cup 1/4-inch diced hard salami (about 4 ounces)
1/4 cup diced red onion (about 1/2 small)
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
4 ounces ricotta salata, grated, or crumbled feta cheese
1/3 cup red wine vinegar

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente, according to the package directions. Drain in a colander, rinse with cold water and shake until very dry. Transfer the pasta to a large mixing bowl, drizzle 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over it and toss well to coat.
  • Add the chicken, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, peppers, salami, onions and parsley. Season with salt and toss well to combine.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar and remaining 1/2 cup olive oil; pour it over the salad and toss well. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. For best flavor, let the salad stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.

ITALIAN CHOPPED SALAD WITH CHICKEN



Italian Chopped Salad with Chicken image

Don't let the ingredient list fool you-this summery chicken salad is so simple! Prepare it in the morning; let it chill all day; and then toss with the dressing right before you serve it. For another spin, I sometimes add fresh grilled corn. -Daniel Anderson, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 18

1/4 pound sliced pancetta or bacon strips, chopped
DRESSING:
3 tablespoons prepared pesto
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
SALAD:
10 cups iceberg lettuce blend
1 cup cubed rotisserie chicken
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 small red onion, chopped
1 small cucumber, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup canned black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup cubed pepper Jack cheese
1/2 cup cubed part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, cook pancetta over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels., In a small bowl, whisk dressing ingredients. In a large bowl, combine salad ingredients; sprinkle with pancetta. Drizzle with dressing; toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 228 calories, Fat 16g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 41mg cholesterol, Sodium 522mg sodium, Carbohydrate 8g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 15g protein.

ITALIAN CHICKEN SALAD



Italian Chicken Salad image

Make and share this Italian Chicken Salad recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Vino Girl

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 20m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 cups chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
1 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
10 pitted ripe olives, halved
1 (14 ounce) can quartered artichoke hearts, drained

Steps:

  • DRESSING: Combine all dressing ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk.
  • SALAD: Combine chicken and remaining ingredients in a large bowl.
  • Pour dressing over salad, and toss gently to combine.

ITALIAN GRILLED CHICKEN SALAD



Italian Grilled Chicken Salad image

Simple yet elegant, this entree salad is one of my husband's favorites. We love the juicy chicken, fresh greens and bread that's toasted over an open flame. Add whatever beans your gang prefers. -Lisa Rawski of Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)
4 ounces Italian bread, sliced
4 cups torn romaine
2 cups chopped seeded tomatoes
1 cup cannellini beans
1/3 cup minced fresh basil

Steps:

  • In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the first six ingredients; shake well. Remove 1 tablespoon vinegar mixture; brush over chicken. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Set aside remaining vinegar mixture., Coat grill rack with cooking spray before starting grill. Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat for 4-6 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 170°. , Brush bread slices with 1 tablespoon reserved vinegar mixture. Grill bread, uncovered, over medium heat for 2 minutes on each side or until toasted. Slice chicken and cut bread into cubes; set aside., In a large bowl, combine the romaine, tomatoes, beans, basil and bread cubes. Drizzle with remaining vinegar mixture; toss to coat. Arrange on salad plates. Top with chicken.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 379 calories, Fat 13g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 66mg cholesterol, Sodium 632mg sodium, Carbohydrate 31g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 33g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

EASY ITALIAN CHICKEN II



Easy Italian Chicken II image

Chicken breasts marinated in Italian-style salad dressing, then baked! It is the easiest and most delicious meal ever and my husband thinks I slave all day to make it!

Provided by MARIONROWE

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 2h5m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 2

6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 (16 ounce) bottle Italian-style salad dressing

Steps:

  • To Marinate: Pour salad dressing into a large, resealable plastic bag. Add chicken breasts, seal bag and shake to coat. Place in refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight (the longer you marinate, the more taste the chicken will absorb).
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Remove chicken from bag, discarding remaining marinade. Place chicken in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish and bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour, or until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear. Note: Turn chicken occasionally while baking.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 344.3 calories, Carbohydrate 7.7 g, Cholesterol 68.4 mg, Fat 22.4 g, Protein 27.5 g, SaturatedFat 3.7 g, Sodium 1296.1 mg, Sugar 6.1 g

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, use high-quality ingredients.
  • If you don't have any leftover chicken, you can cook some specifically for this recipe. Just boil or roast some chicken breasts or thighs and let them cool before shredding them.
  • If you want a creamier salad, add more mayonnaise. You can also use Greek yogurt or sour cream as a healthier alternative.
  • Feel free to add other ingredients to your salad, such as chopped celery, red onion, or hard-boiled eggs.
  • Serve the salad on a bed of lettuce or arugula for a light and refreshing meal.

Conclusion:

Italian-style chicken salad is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for lunch or dinner. It is packed with flavor and can be customized to your liking. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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