Crunchy Antipasto Chopped Salad (Printable)

Vibrant salad with chickpeas, fresh vegetables, salami, mozzarella and zesty Italian dressing. Perfect appetizer or light meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables & Legumes

01 - 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
03 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
04 - 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1/2 cup yellow bell pepper, diced
06 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
07 - 1/4 cup pepperoncini, sliced

→ Meats & Cheeses

08 - 3.5 oz salami, cut into small cubes
09 - 1 cup mozzarella pearls or fresh mozzarella, diced
10 - 1/4 cup pitted black olives, sliced

→ Dressing

11 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
12 - 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - 1 garlic clove, minced
15 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
16 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
17 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnish

18 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
19 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# Steps:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red and yellow bell peppers, red onion, pepperoncini, black olives, salami, and mozzarella.
02 - In a separate small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
03 - Pour the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
04 - Sprinkle with chopped basil and parsley. Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of crunchy vegetables, salty salami, and creamy mozzarella creates that perfect bite every single time
  • It keeps beautifully for a few hours, making it ideal for meal prep or bringing to gatherings
02 -
  • Salami brands vary wildly in saltiness, so always taste your dressing before adding the full amount of salt
  • This salad actually gets better after sitting for 30 minutes, so dont feel rushed to serve it immediately
03 -
  • Cutting the salami when its slightly cold from the fridge makes it much easier to get clean cubes
  • Let the salad sit for at least 15 minutes before serving to let the chickpeas absorb some of the dressing
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