Description
Bring restaurant-quality freshness home with this California Pizza Kitchen-inspired chopped salad. Bursting with crisp vegetables, premium proteins, and vibrant dressings, this customizable dish delivers bold flavor, beautiful color, and wholesome nutrition in every bite.
Ingredients
2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 cup baby arugula or mixed greens
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or cilantro
1/2 avocado, diced
1/4 cup corn kernels (fresh or roasted)
1/4 cup black beans or chickpeas (optional)
1/4 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
1/4 cup roasted nuts (such as almonds or cashews)
1/4 cup crunchy tortilla strips or croutons (optional)
4 oz grilled chicken breast or shrimp (or plant-based protein)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
📌 For the Dressing
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar (balsamic or apple cider)
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp honey or maple syrup
1 small garlic clove, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
-
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
-
In a large bowl, combine romaine, arugula, cherry tomatoes, herbs, avocado, corn, beans, and carrots.
-
Add grilled protein of choice and sprinkle in cheese and nuts.
-
Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat evenly.
-
Garnish with tortilla strips or croutons, if desired.
-
Serve immediately, or chill for 15 minutes for flavors to meld.
Notes
For a vegan option, omit cheese and use maple syrup in the dressing.
Substitute grains like quinoa or farro for beans to increase satiety.
Keep dressing on the side for lighter fare or to preserve texture for meal prep.
Use different dressings like Thai peanut or citrus vinaigrette to match flavor themes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Tossing
- Cuisine: California Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (half the recipe)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: California pizza kitchen salad, restaurant-style salad, grilled chicken salad, healthy chopped salad, customizable salad recipe