Italian Chopped Salad brings the beloved California Pizza Kitchen favorite straight to your kitchen, offering a vibrant mix of fresh greens, savory ham, hearty chickpeas, juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil, all perfectly tossed in a bright and zesty lemon dressing. This isn’t just a salad; it’s a complete culinary experience, recreating that irresistible restaurant flavor right in your home.
Author’s Note
Restaurant Flavor Without Leaving Home: My Quest for the Perfect Italian Chopped Salad!
For years, I’ve been utterly obsessed with the Italian Chopped Salad from California Pizza Kitchen. There’s something about its perfect blend of flavors and textures that just keeps me coming back. However, with the closest CPK being hours away, my cravings often went unanswered. After one too many longing moments without a road trip in sight, I decided it was time to take matters into my own hands and create my very own version. And honestly, after countless attempts and tweaks, I might just love my homemade Italian Chopped Salad even more than the original!
My journey involved experimenting with various ingredients and proportions until I finally landed on the ideal mix of salty, tangy, and fresh. The secret, I found, lies in a bright and punchy lemon dressing that effortlessly ties all the components together, creating a harmonious and utterly delicious bite every time. This salad has become a staple in my home. I happily bring it to BBQs, prep large batches for healthy lunches throughout the week, or quickly toss it together when I’m looking for a delicious and easy meal without much effort. It’s always a massive hit!
Even my husband, who typically gives salads a wide berth, consistently goes back for seconds when this is on the menu. One of the best aspects of this recipe is its incredible versatility. You can easily tweak it with whatever fresh ingredients you have on hand, making it a perfect solution for clearing out the fridge while still enjoying a phenomenal meal. Get ready to ditch the drive and enjoy a restaurant-quality Italian Chopped Salad from the comfort of your own home!
Unleash Your Creativity: Make This Italian Chopped Salad Truly Your Own
One of the most delightful aspects of the Italian Chopped Salad is its incredible adaptability. This recipe provides a fantastic foundation, but don’s hesitate to personalize it based on your preferences, dietary needs, or whatever fresh ingredients are calling your name from the fridge. The beauty of a chopped salad is that almost anything goes! Below, you’ll find a guide to help you mix and match components, ensuring every version you create is a burst of flavor and texture. Just pick one (or more!) from each column, toss with the incredible lemon dressing, and you’ve got a brand-new Italian Chopped spin that still tastes absolutely amazing.
| Crunch Factor | Protein Power | Creamy Delight | Zing & Pop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shredded romaine or iceberg lettuce (for that classic crisp base) | Deli turkey cubes | Mozzarella pearls (a classic choice!) | Pepperoncini rings (for a subtle kick) |
| Chopped cucumber | Rotisserie chicken (a quick and easy addition) | Shredded cheddar | Sliced black olives |
| Diced bell pepper (adds color and sweetness) | Canned chickpeas (rinsed and drained for plant-based protein) | Avocado chunks (for rich, healthy fats) | Pickled banana peppers |
| Celery slices | Hard-salami strips | Feta crumbles (for a salty, tangy bite) | Marinated artichoke hearts |
| Toasted croutons (adds a wonderful textural contrast) | Cubed ham (our recipe’s star protein) | Cottage cheese dollops (for an unexpected creamy texture) | Sun-dried tomato bits (packed with umami) |
How to use this customization guide:
- Start with a generous bowl of your chosen chopped lettuce base, ensuring it’s crisp and dry.
- Select at least one item from each column to ensure a balanced profile of textures and flavors.
- Toss with the zesty lemon dressing just before serving to maintain maximum crispness and freshness.
With endless possibilities, you can mix, match, clear out the fridge, and never get bored with your chopped salad again! This customization approach makes the Italian Chopped Salad a truly versatile and endlessly enjoyable meal.
Pro Tips for Crafting the Perfect Italian Chopped Salad Every Time
Achieving that restaurant-quality Italian Chopped Salad at home is easier than you think, especially with a few expert tips. These simple guidelines will help you elevate your salad, ensuring it’s always fresh, flavorful, and perfectly textured.
- Fresh Ingredients Are Key: The foundation of any great salad is its ingredients. Always opt for the freshest vegetables, herbs, and cheeses possible. High-quality, fresh components translate directly into superior flavor and a more satisfying texture for your salad.
- Ensure Lettuce is Bone Dry: This might be the most crucial tip for preventing a soggy salad. Moisture clinging to your lettuce will dilute the dressing and make your greens limp almost instantly. Use a salad spinner religiously, or pat the lettuce dry with paper towels until it’s 100% dry before combining with other ingredients and dressing.
- Chill Your Dressing: A cold dressing adds a refreshing burst to your salad. Prepare your lemon dressing ahead of time and keep it chilled in the refrigerator until just before you’re ready to serve. This also allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Cut All Ingredients Evenly: For the ideal “chopped” salad experience, aim to cut all your ingredients into similar, bite-sized pieces. This ensures that every forkful offers a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, making each bite consistent and enjoyable.
- Use a Large Mixing Bowl: Don’t underestimate the power of space when tossing a salad. Using a significantly larger bowl than you think you need allows for easy and even coating of all ingredients with the dressing, preventing any part of the salad from being undressed or over-dressed.
Featured Comment
“Wow! Been wanting to make this for awhile. It was out of this world! The dressing is insanely good. Thanks for the recipe!”
– Lee
Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Your Italian Chopped Salad
The Italian Chopped Salad is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed as a light lunch, a hearty side, or even the centerpiece of a complete meal. Here are some fantastic suggestions to complement its vibrant flavors:
- Dinner Rolls or Garlic Bread: These are classic Italian pairings, perfect for soaking up any extra dressing left at the bottom of the bowl. The warm, crusty bread provides a comforting contrast to the crisp, cool salad.
- Pasta Dishes: Elevate your meal by pairing this salad with a simple pasta dish. A light zucchini pasta sauce over spaghetti or a classic marinara will balance the freshness of the salad beautifully.
- Warm Soups: For a cozy and satisfying meal, serve your chopped salad alongside a comforting bowl of soup. A hearty minestrone or a wholesome vegetable soup makes for a delightful combination.
- Pizza: What goes better with an Italian salad than pizza? Whether it’s a slice of savory pepperoni pizza or an easy flatbread pizza topped with basil and mozzarella, the two make a perfect match.
Storage Solutions for Your Italian Chopped Salad
Keeping Your Salad Fresh: Storage Tips
Proper storage is essential to enjoy your Italian Chopped Salad at its best, especially if you’re planning for meal prep or want to savor leftovers. The key to preventing sogginess and maintaining crispness lies in separation:
- Dress Only What You Eat: To avoid a limp and unappetizing salad, only add the dressing to the portion you intend to consume immediately. Once dressed, the acid and oil in the vinaigrette will begin to break down the greens and other ingredients, leading to a loss of texture.
- Store Undressed Salad and Dressing Separately: This is a golden rule for all salads. Keep your prepped salad ingredients (greens, meats, cheeses, vegetables) in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Store the dressing in a separate, sealed jar.
- Prep Ingredients Ahead: For ultimate convenience, chop and prepare all your salad ingredients at the beginning of the week. Store them individually or as a mixed undressed salad. The dressing can also be made in advance and kept in the fridge. Remember to shake the dressing well before each use to re-emulsify it after storage.
By following these simple storage tips, you can enjoy fresh, vibrant Italian Chopped Salad throughout the week with minimal effort!
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Print Recipe
Italian Chopped Salad (CPK Copycat)
Chelsea Lords
30 minutes
30 minutes
6 as a side
Video
A video demonstrating the preparation of this Italian Chopped Salad is available. You can find it embedded where this text is placed.
Equipment
- Wide-mouth Mason Jar or other sealable container for dressing
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Salad Spinner
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 heads (4 cups) romaine lettuce see note 1 for alternatives
- 15 ounces chickpeas drained and thoroughly rinsed
- 1 pint (2 cups) cherry tomatoes cut into quarters for bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup red onion very thinly sliced for a milder flavor
- 1 cup (4 ounces) chopped salami
- 1/2 cup chopped ham
- 1 cup (5 ounces) mozzarella cheese pearls halved for even distribution
- 1/3 cup sliced pepperoncini peppers for a tangy, slightly spicy kick
- 10 to 12 large fresh basil leaves thinly sliced (chiffonade)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed is best!)
- 2 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 3 teaspoons sugar (to balance the acidity)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic (freshly minced provides the best flavor)
- 1/3 cup olive oil (extra virgin for best results)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- To prepare the dressing, combine all dressing ingredients (lemon juice, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, sugar, oregano, parsley, minced garlic, olive oil) in a wide-mouth mason jar or another sealable container. Season generously to taste (I typically add about 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper). Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously until all ingredients are well combined and emulsified. Store in the fridge until you are ready to use.
- Wash the romaine lettuce thoroughly. It is absolutely essential that the lettuce is completely dry before proceeding; use a salad spinner to remove as much water as possible. To achieve the signature “chopped” style, roll up pieces of lettuce into tight cigar shapes, then very thinly slice them into ribbons. Halve these ribbons if you prefer shorter pieces, ensuring all greens are bite-sized.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared lettuce, drained and rinsed chickpeas, quartered cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, chopped salami, diced ham, halved mozzarella cheese pearls, and sliced pepperoncini. Add the chiffonade basil (see note 2 for how to chiffonade basil). Gently toss all these ingredients together until they are evenly distributed.
- Before serving, give the chilled dressing another good shake to ensure it’s perfectly mixed. Only add the dressing to the portion of salad you intend to eat immediately (see note 3). This salad is best enjoyed promptly after being dressed, as it tends to become soggy if left to sit for too long. Serve and savor!
Recipe Notes
Note 2: To chiffonade basil, stack several basil leaves neatly on top of each other. Roll them tightly lengthwise into a cigar shape. Then, using a sharp knife, thinly slice across the rolled leaves to create beautiful, delicate ribbons. For shorter ribbons, simply cut each slice in half before unrolling. This technique enhances the visual appeal and releases the basil’s aromatic oils.
Note 3: You will likely find that you won’t need all the prepared dressing for this single salad batch, but it is always better to have a bit extra rather than not enough. Remember, once the salad is dressed, it should be enjoyed immediately to maintain its crispness and fresh taste. If you’re planning to meal prep, store the undressed salad components and the dressing in separate containers.
Storage: Any leftover dressing can be stored in an airtight container or mason jar in the refrigerator for up to a week. Before each subsequent use, allow it to return to room temperature for a few minutes and give it a thorough shake to re-emulsify the ingredients and ensure a consistent flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 313kcal |
Carbohydrates: 18.5g |
Protein: 21.2g |
Fat: 18.1g |
Cholesterol: 35.1mg |
Sodium: 376.5mg |
Fiber: 5.6g |
Sugar: 5g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation. Individual results may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
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What Our Readers Are Saying and Trying!
We absolutely love hearing from you and seeing all the amazing ways you’re enjoying and customizing this Italian Chopped Salad. Here’s what some of our passionate readers have shared:
- “Phenomenal! I’ve made it many times.” Sara can’t get enough of this salad; it’s become a beloved, frequent meal in her household, proving its consistent deliciousness.
- “The star for me is THE SALAD DRESSING!” Heather took her salad to the next level by bulking it up with crisp bell pepper, refreshing cucumber, and savory roasted chickpeas. She served it perfectly alongside grilled chicken and a fresh focaccia, highlighting the dressing as the true hero.
- “We ate the whole salad—it’s that good.”Gina demonstrated the irresistible nature of this dish by making a few brilliant swaps. She incorporated tangy balsamic vinegar, added protein-rich hard-boiled eggs, and spicy pepperoni, confirming that every single bite was devoured with gusto.