This Italian-style chicken salad is a delightful blend of fresh vegetables and succulent grilled chicken, perfect for a light lunch or dinner. The combination of cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and olives, dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, brings a burst of Mediterranean flavors to your table.
If you don't have some of the ingredients at home, you might need to visit the supermarket. Cherry tomatoes and sliced olives are sometimes not staple items in every household. Make sure to pick up fresh chicken breasts if you don't have them on hand. Balsamic vinegar and dried oregano might also be items you need to check for in your pantry.

Ingredients For Italian Style Chicken Salad
Chicken breasts: Grilled and sliced, these provide the protein base for the salad.
Cherry tomatoes: Halved for a burst of sweetness and color.
Cucumber: Diced for a refreshing crunch.
Red onion: Thinly sliced to add a sharp, tangy flavor.
Olives: Sliced for a salty, briny taste.
Olive oil: Used as a dressing base, adding richness and depth.
Balsamic vinegar: Provides a sweet and tangy balance to the dressing.
Dried oregano: Adds a touch of earthy, herbal flavor.
Salt: Enhances the overall taste of the salad.
Pepper: Adds a bit of heat and depth to the flavor profile.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When grilling the chicken breasts, ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F to guarantee they are fully cooked. For added flavor, marinate the chicken in a mixture of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and dried oregano for at least 30 minutes before grilling. This will infuse the chicken with a rich, Italian taste that complements the salad.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
grilled and sliced chicken breasts - Substitute with grilled and sliced turkey breasts: Turkey has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a suitable alternative.
halved cherry tomatoes - Substitute with grape tomatoes: Grape tomatoes have a similar sweetness and juiciness, providing a comparable taste and texture.
diced cucumber - Substitute with diced zucchini: Zucchini has a similar crunch and mild flavor, making it a good replacement.
thinly sliced red onion - Substitute with thinly sliced shallots: Shallots offer a milder and slightly sweeter flavor, which can be a pleasant variation.
sliced olives - Substitute with capers: Capers provide a similar briny and tangy flavor, adding a unique twist to the salad.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar healthy fat profile and a mild flavor that works well in salads.
balsamic vinegar - Substitute with red wine vinegar: Red wine vinegar offers a similar acidity and tanginess, making it a good alternative.
dried oregano - Substitute with dried basil: Dried basil provides a different but complementary herbaceous flavor to the salad.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt offers a similar salty taste with a slightly different mineral profile.
pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar spiciness with a slightly different flavor note.
Alternative Recipes to Try
How to Store or Freeze This Dish
- To keep your Italian Style Chicken Salad fresh, store it in an airtight container. This helps maintain the crispness of the vegetables and the juiciness of the chicken.
- Place the container in the refrigerator. The salad will stay fresh for up to 3 days, making it a perfect option for meal prep.
- If you plan to enjoy the salad over several days, consider storing the dressing separately. This prevents the vegetables from becoming soggy.
- For freezing, it's best to avoid freezing the vegetables as they can lose their texture and become mushy. Instead, freeze only the grilled chicken.
- To freeze the chicken, place the sliced pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. This method prevents the pieces from sticking together.
- Label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness. The chicken can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- When ready to use, thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, combine with fresh vegetables and dressing for a quick and delicious meal.
- If you prefer a warm salad, gently reheat the chicken in a skillet over medium heat before adding it to the fresh vegetables and dressing.
How to Reheat Leftovers
For a quick and easy method, use the microwave. Place the Italian style chicken salad in a microwave-safe dish. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Be cautious not to overheat, as the chicken can become dry.
If you prefer a more even and gentle reheating method, use the stovetop. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of olive oil to the pan. Once the oil is warm, add the salad and stir occasionally for about 3-5 minutes until the chicken is warmed through. This method helps maintain the texture of the vegetables.
For those who enjoy a bit of a crispy texture, try reheating in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the salad evenly on a baking sheet. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent the chicken from drying out. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, checking occasionally until the chicken is heated through.
If you have an air fryer, this can be a great option to reheat while keeping the chicken slightly crispy. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the salad in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
For a cold option, simply enjoy the Italian style chicken salad straight from the fridge. The flavors meld together beautifully when chilled, making it a refreshing and convenient choice.
Essential Tools for This Recipe
Grill: Used to cook the chicken breasts until they are fully cooked and have a nice charred flavor.
Knife: Essential for slicing the grilled chicken breasts, halving the cherry tomatoes, and dicing the cucumber.
Cutting board: Provides a safe and stable surface for slicing and dicing the ingredients.
Mixing bowl: Used to combine the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, and sliced chicken.
Measuring cups: Helps to measure out the correct amounts of cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and other ingredients.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and dried oregano accurately.
Tongs: Useful for handling the chicken breasts on the grill and for tossing the salad ingredients together.
Salad servers: Helps to toss the salad ingredients together and serve the salad.
Refrigerator: Used to chill the salad if you decide to serve it later.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Pre-cook the chicken: Grill and slice the chicken breasts ahead of time and store them in the fridge.
Use pre-sliced vegetables: Buy pre-sliced cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion to save chopping time.
Ready-made dressing: Use a store-bought olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing to skip mixing.
Batch prep: Prepare a larger quantity and store in the fridge for quick meals throughout the week.

Italian Style Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 pieces Chicken Breasts Grilled and sliced
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes Halved
- 1 cup Cucumber Diced
- ¼ cup Red Onion Thinly sliced
- ¼ cup Olives Sliced
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- to taste Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- 1. Grill the chicken breasts until fully cooked, then slice them.
- 2. In a mixing bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and olives.
- 3. Add the sliced chicken to the bowl.
- 4. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
- 5. Sprinkle with dried oregano, salt, and pepper to taste.
- 6. Toss everything together until well combined.
- 7. Serve immediately or chill in the fridge for later.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
More Amazing Recipes to Try 🙂
- Italian Stuffed Pork Loin Recipe1 Hours 20 Minutes
- Meatloaf al Italiano Recipe1 Hours 20 Minutes
- Italian Style Short Ribs Recipe3 Hours 20 Minutes
- Northern Italian Chicken Cacciatore Recipe1 Hours
- Italian Cioppino Recipe1 Hours
- Italian Mac and Cheese Recipe45 Minutes
- Baked Italian Chicken Dinner Recipe1 Hours
- Porchetta Italiana Recipe3 Hours 30 Minutes
Leave a Reply