Looking for a hearty, protein-packed salad that’s bursting with fresh flavors? This Easy Chicken Cobb Salad is loaded with crisp romaine lettuce, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, tender chicken, crispy bacon, hard-boiled eggs, and crumbled blue cheese. Topped with the best homemade balsamic vinaigrette, it’s a complete meal that’s as beautiful as it is delicious!
What Is Cobb Salad?
The classic Cobb Salad was created in 1937 by Bob Cobb at the Brown Derby restaurant in Los Angeles. It features a base of chopped lettuce topped with rows of savory ingredients — similar to a Chef’s Salad. Our version includes chicken breast, but feel free to try other proteins like salmon or shrimp for variety.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 medium head romaine lettuce, chopped, rinsed, and dried
- 2 cooked chicken breasts, sliced or diced
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, quartered
- 1 large avocado, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese (or substitute feta)
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)
For the Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced or pressed
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients:
Cook bacon until crisp (bake, air fry, or sauté). Cook hard-boiled eggs, then peel and quarter. Cook chicken breasts (bake or use rotisserie) and slice or dice. - Assemble the Salad:
Spread chopped romaine on a large shallow platter. Arrange the chicken, eggs, avocado, tomatoes, onion, blue cheese, and bacon in neat rows on top of the lettuce. Sprinkle with parsley. - Make the Dressing:
Combine balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper in a mason jar or small bowl. Whisk or shake well while slowly adding olive oil until emulsified. - Serve:
Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving or let everyone add their own.
Tips & Variations
- Use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken to save time.
- Swap blue cheese for feta if you prefer a milder flavor.
- Try other proteins like salmon, shrimp, or steak for a twist.
- Prep salad components ahead, but keep avocado sliced fresh to avoid browning.
Make Ahead
You can prep the salad and dressing up to 2-3 hours before serving. Keep the dressing refrigerated separately until ready to use, and slice avocado just before serving to maintain freshness.
This Chicken Cobb Salad recipe is easy to prepare, stunning on the plate, and packed with fresh, satisfying flavors. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or entertaining guests!