This Italian chicken salad has quickly become one of my favorites. What makes it so special is the chicken itself. I cook the chicken right in Italian dressing so it soaks up all that zesty flavor before adding the rest of the ingredients. 

This Italian Chicken Salad is incredibly flavorful due to the high-quality chicken used in it.  A few months ago, I had slow-cooked chicken all day in Italian dressing- then made that leftover chicken into chicken salad, and it turned out to be some of the best chicken salad I have had!

Ingredients Needed

Boneless skinless chicken breasts

Bottled Italian dressing

Red grapes, halved

One Apple, chopped

Shelled pistachios

Mayonnaise or Greek yogurt

Salt and pepper to taste.

Optional Ingredients: cherry tomatoes, red onions, olive oil, cucumber, green onions, garlic, fresh herbs, other seasonings, and other chopped veggies.

Equipment

Slow Cooker, Saucepan, or Pressure Cooker.

Large Bowl

Cooking the Chicken

1. Place three boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the bottom of a slow cooker.
2. Pour 1 cup of Italian dressing over the chicken, ensuring it is evenly coated.
3. Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours, or until the chicken is tender and easily shredded.
4. Once cooked, let the chicken cool slightly, then chop or shred as desired.
5. I recommend storing the chicken in the slow cooker juices until you are ready to prepare the chicken salad. This keeps the meat moist and flavorful.

Instructions

1. Start with chicken that has been cooked in Italian dressing, then chop it into bite-sized pieces.
2. If you prefer an extra-flavored dish, consider adding a little more Italian dressing to the chicken.
3. Add grapes and apples to the bowl and toss gently.
4. Sprinkle in the pistachios for crunch.
5. Stir in mayonnaise and Greek yogurt until everything is coated.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Chill before serving for the best flavor.

Print

Zesty Italian Chicken Salad

Italian chicken salad made with chicken slow cooked in Italian dressing then mixed with grapes apples pistachios and a creamy dressing.

Servings 6

Ingredients

• 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup Italian dressing
• 1 cup Red grapes halved
• 1 Apple, chopped
• 1/2 cup Shelled pistachios
• 1/4 cup Greek Yogurt
• 1/4 cup Mayonnaise
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour the Italian dressing over the chicken so it is coated. Cover and cook on low for about 4 to 5 hours or until the chicken is tender and can be easily shredded.

2. Once the chicken is cooked, let it cool slightly. Shred or chop the chicken and keep it stored in the slow cooker juices until you are ready to make the salad. This helps keep the chicken moist and flavorful.

3. When you are ready to assemble the salad, place the shredded chicken in a large bowl. Add the grapes and chopped apple. Stir in the pistachios for crunch. Mix in the mayonnaise or Greek yogurt until everything is combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Chill the chicken salad in the refrigerator before serving. This gives the flavors a chance to come together.

Storage: Store chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.

This Italian chicken salad is delicious on croissants, sandwich bread, or wraps. I also like to scoop it over a bed of lettuce or serve it with crackers for a lighter option.

If you like this recipe, try another one of my chicken salad recipes

Napa Cashew Chicken Salad

Greek Chicken Salad

BLT Chicken Salad

This salad tastes fantastic as a sandwich, on crackers, or served over romaine lettuce, Spring Mix, or other crisp greens.  This chicken salad is an upgrade with this Italian-inspired version made with zesty chicken, crisp fruit, and crunchy pistachios.

You will love this flavor-packed  Italian Chicken Salad.  Did you make this zesty Italian chicken salad? I would love to know how it turned out for you!  Please comment below this blog post or tag me on social media and let me know how the chicken salad turned out for you!  You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.