Description
This La Scala-Style Chopped Salad with Grilled Chicken is a crisp, tangy, and satisfying salad inspired by the classic La Scala restaurant dish. It features finely chopped iceberg and romaine lettuce, chickpeas, mozzarella, and grilled chicken, all tossed in a zesty red wine vinaigrette. It’s a lighter, pork-free take on the original, perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, finely chopped
- 1 head romaine lettuce, finely chopped
- 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 6 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (low moisture preferred)
- 8 ounces grilled chicken breast, sliced into thin strips or bite-sized cubes
- Optional: ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- Optional: ⅓ cup halved cherry tomatoes
- For the Dressing:
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Grill and Slice the Chicken: Lightly season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, olive oil, and dried oregano. Grill over medium-high heat for about 5–6 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then slice into small, bite-sized strips or cubes. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Red Wine Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking vigorously until emulsified. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Chop the Lettuce: Remove outer leaves from iceberg and romaine heads. Rinse and thoroughly dry. Finely chop the lettuce into small, uniform pieces.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine chopped lettuce, chickpeas, mozzarella, grilled chicken, and optional basil or cherry tomatoes. Drizzle about three-quarters of the dressing over the ingredients. Toss well to coat. Add more dressing if desired.
- Serve Fresh: Transfer the salad to a serving bowl or plates. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Uniform chopping is essential for the signature chopped salad texture.
- Keep all salad components chilled before assembling for a refreshing bite.
- Start with less dressing than you think you need; you can always add more.
- Low-moisture mozzarella is recommended for better texture.
- For meal prep, store ingredients separately and toss just before serving.
- Consider dressing variations like lemon juice or balsamic vinegar, or add-ins like cucumber or red onion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling, Chopping, Whisking, Tossing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
Keywords: Scala chopped salad, Scala style salad, chopped salad, grilled chicken salad, red wine vinaigrette, easy salad recipe, healthy salad