Italian Chicken Salad

A hearty Italian-inspired salad featuring crispy homemade croutons, shredded rotisserie chicken, fresh mozzarella, and marinated olives tossed in a zesty red wine vinaigrette. Perfect for a satisfying lunch or light dinner.

4 servings
33 min

Ingredients

  • 4 cups Italian bread
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup red-wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons shallot
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 cups cooked chicken
  • 1 cup bocconcini
  • 2 hearts romaine
  • 1 jar roasted red peppers
  • 1 cup marinated olives

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 400°F.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    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.

    8 min

  3. 3.

    Whisk together all vinaigrette ingredients except oil in a small bowl until combined. Add oil in a slow stream, whisking until emulsified.

    5 min

  4. 4.

    Toss chicken and bocconcini together with 1/4 cup vinaigrette in a bowl and let stand 10 minutes to allow flavors to develop.

    10 min

  5. 5.

    Toss together romaine, red peppers, olives, chicken and bocconcini mixture, croutons, and remaining vinaigrette in a large bowl until combined.

    5 min