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Recipes /
La Scala Chopped Salad: A Celebrity Nutritionist Approved, Celebrity Favorite

June 25, 2025

If you’ve ever dined in Beverly Hills, chances are you’ve heard whispers about the La Scala Chopped Salad. It’s iconic – a Hollywood staple that’s been fueling A-listers since the ‘60s. I first discovered it through my celebrity clients who raved about it after long set days and meetings.

And I’ll admit – it’s delicious. But like most restaurant salads, the original version is missing some key blood sugar-balancing components and includes a dressing that could use a little functional nutritionist love.

So I did what I do best: I gave it a Fab Four makeover – adding more protein, upgrading the fat, and cleaning up the dressing to keep blood sugar stable and cravings at bay.

The Fab Four Formula: Protein, Fat, Fiber & Greens

I build every meal around the Fab Four. This loosely structured formula allows you to eat what you love. No boxes, no rules. Just the intention of filling your plate first with the foods that nourish and balance. For my La Scala Salad makeover, here’s what it looks like:

Protein: Grilled chicken breast and salami keep you full, calm, and energized.
Fat: Parmigiano cheese and EVOO support hunger hormone balance and steady energy.
Fiber & Greens: Iceberg, romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, and tons of fresh herbs feed your gut and keep digestion on point. They also offer volume, micronutrient and antioxidant power.

This La Scala-inspired chopped salad checks every box – without sacrificing flavor. It’s crisp, satisfying, and has that nostalgic, LA-legacy taste that keeps people coming back.

Why I Made the Swap

The original dressing from La Scala includes processed oils and added sugar – things I steer clear of when helping clients support longevity, mood, and blood sugar balance. By switching to extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, and red wine vinegar, you get the same bold flavor with zero inflammatory triggers.

Be Well Tip:

Meal prepping? Grill a few chicken breasts and keep the salad ingredients chopped in glass containers. You can have a restaurant-quality, celebrity-approved salad in under 3 minutes flat – no post-lunch crash included.

From Rodeo Drive to your kitchen, this salad is a delicious reminder that healthy doesn’t mean boring – and blood sugar balance doesn’t mean restriction.

Prep Time
10 minutes
Total Time
20 minutes
Servings
4
Freezer Friendly
No

Ingredients

4 (6-8 oz) grilled chicken breasts (seasoned to your liking)
2 cups chopped iceberg lettuce
2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
4 tbsp finely chopped Italian dry salami
1 cup chopped tomatoes
1 cup chopped cucumbers
4 tbsp grated or shaved hard cheese (like Parmigiano Reggiano – optional)
2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs (basil, parsley, or chives work beautifully)

Dressing (cleaned up from the original):

6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tsp Dijon mustard
Sea salt + freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

Dice the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, salami, and grilled chicken into bite-sized pieces. If using cheese, grate or shave it. Finely chop your fresh herbs.
For the dressing, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper until well combined in a large bowl (to toss the salad) or mason jar (for storing).
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped iceberg and romaine lettuces, tomatoes, cucumbers, salami, cheese (if using), fresh herbs, and sliced grilled chicken breast.
Combine the dressing with the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
Divide the salad onto four plates or serve family-style. Sprinkle with cracked black pepper to serve, and enjoy!