Description
A vibrant and hearty Italian salad featuring fresh baby spinach, tender cooked chicken breast, marinated artichoke hearts, flavorful salami, sun-dried tomatoes, and red onions, all topped with shaved Parmesan cheese and tossed in a zesty homemade Italian dressing. This quick, no-cook salad is perfect for a healthy lunch or light dinner, delivering a delightful mix of textures and authentic Italian flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 6 cups fresh baby spinach
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, sliced or diced
- 1 cup marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 1/2 cup sliced salami or Italian dry salami
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, julienned and oil-packed, drained
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup shaved or grated Parmesan cheese
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the salad base: Place the fresh baby spinach in a large serving bowl as the foundation of your salad.
- Add protein and vegetables: Top the spinach with the cooked chicken breast, chopped marinated artichoke hearts, sliced salami, julienned sun-dried tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and shaved Parmesan cheese, distributing them evenly.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is well emulsified and smooth.
- Dress the salad: Drizzle the freshly made dressing over the salad ingredients just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.
- Toss and serve: Gently toss the salad to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing, then serve immediately for optimal flavor and crunch.
Notes
- Grilled or rotisserie chicken works well for this recipe, adding extra flavor.
- For additional Italian flair, add olives or pepperoncini to the salad.
- Feel free to swap spinach for mixed greens if you prefer a milder leafy base.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
