Can I use rotisserie chicken in this salad?

Absolutely. Rotisserie chicken is a terrific shortcut, lending great flavor and moisture. Pull or chop the meat just before adding to the salad for best texture.

Is it okay to prepare the salad in advance?

You can prep all ingredients ahead, but keep the dressing and salad separate until ready to serve. This keeps everything fresh and crisp.

Can I leave out the cheese for a dairy-free version?

Yes! The salad is still bright and satisfying without cheese. Try adding avocado or extra chickpeas for creamy richness.

What’s the best way to chop the romaine for this salad?

Finely chop the romaine into small, even pieces. This isn’t the time for rustic, big leaves—a finer chop means each bite has a perfect medley of flavors.

La Scala Chicken Salad Recipe

Description

This La Scala Chicken Salad is a vibrant and hearty entrée featuring chopped romaine, crisp cucumbers, tender cooked chicken, creamy mozzarella, and protein-packed chickpeas, all tossed in a zesty homemade red wine vinaigrette. It’s a balanced, refreshing salad that’s perfect for lunch or dinner, combining classic Italian-inspired flavors with wholesome, nourishing ingredients.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Salad

1 or 2 large heads romaine lettuce, finely chopped
2 large crisp cucumbers, finely chopped
12 oz nitrate-free deli chicken or cooked chicken breast, chopped
15 oz chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese

Homemade Dressing

1/3 cup high quality extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp raw honey
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

Make the Dressing: Combine the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, raw honey, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl. Whisk together vigorously until the dressing is fully emulsified and creamy.
Chill the Dressing: Refrigerate the prepared dressing until you are ready to serve the salad. This helps the flavors meld and keeps the salad fresh and crisp when dressed.
Prepare the Salad Base: In a large mixing bowl, add the finely chopped romaine lettuce, chopped cucumbers, diced chicken, drained and rinsed chickpeas, and freshly shredded mozzarella cheese.
Toss and Dress the Salad: Just before serving, drizzle the prepared dressing evenly over the salad ingredients. Using tongs or salad servers, toss everything thoroughly to make sure the vegetables and proteins are well coated with the dressing.
Serve and Enjoy: Transfer the tossed salad to plates or bowls and enjoy immediately for maximum freshness and flavor.

Notes

Use rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken for added convenience.
Feel free to add extra vegetables like bell peppers or cherry tomatoes for added color and nutrients.
Store leftover dressing separately to keep the salad crisp if prepping in advance.
If making vegan, use vegan cheese or omit mozzarella.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
Calories: 390
Sugar: 7g
Sodium: 710mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 13g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 34g
Fiber: 7g
Protein: 27g
Cholesterol: 55mg