Name: Easy Chicken Cobb Salad Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked chicken breast (chopped or sliced); 4 cups romaine or mixed greens; 2 hard-boiled eggs (sliced); 1 avocado (diced); 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved); ½ cup cooked bacon (crumbled); ½ cup blue cheese crumbles; ½ cup cucumber (sliced); ¼ cup red onion (thinly sliced); Salt and black pepper to taste; ¼ cup olive oil; 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper

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If you’re searching for a lunch or dinner that’s as satisfying as it is beautiful, look no further than this Easy Chicken Cobb Salad. This classic American salad is all about vibrant colors, varied textures, and that irresistible balance of freshness and richness. Tender chunks of chicken, smoky bacon, creamy avocado, tangy blue cheese, and crisp veggies come together on a bed of greens, all finished with a simple homemade dressing. It’s a flavor-packed meal that truly feels like eating the rainbow!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this salad plays a starring role, from the hearty protein to the crunchy veggies and bold cheese. The best part? Each addition brings something unique, making the Easy Chicken Cobb Salad not only easy to assemble but also layered with taste, color, and texture.

Chicken Breast: Use cooked chicken—rotisserie or leftover roast chicken keeps prep especially quick and effortless.
Romaine or Mixed Greens: The crunchy, leafy base sets the stage for all those colorful toppings and stays crisp under the hearty ingredients.
Hard-Boiled Eggs: Sliced eggs add creamy texture and extra protein, making the salad more filling.
Avocado: Diced avocado brings rich, buttery flavor and a dose of healthy fats—use one that’s just ripe for best results.
Cherry Tomatoes: Halved for easy eating, they pop with sweet, juicy brightness in every bite.
Bacon: Crumbled cooked bacon adds smoky crunch and salty depth—perfect for that unmistakable Cobb salad flair.
Blue Cheese Crumbles: These tangy, creamy bites bring bold flavor and decadence; feta is a great swap if blue isn’t your thing.
Cucumber: Sliced cucumber gives cool, crisp texture to balance richer elements.
Red Onion: Thin slices offer a sharp, zesty bite that really wakes up the salad.
Salt and Black Pepper: Use to taste—these basics are essential for seasoning all those fresh veggies and proteins.
Olive Oil: The rich, fruity base for the homemade dressing.
Red Wine Vinegar: Adds bright, tangy acidity to balance the creamy and savory notes in the salad.
Dijon Mustard: A little goes a long way for depth and subtle heat in the dressing.
Garlic Powder: Easy, mellow garlic flavor without any chopping fuss.

How to Make Easy Chicken Cobb Salad

Step 1: Prep the Ingredients

Start by gathering all your salad components. Chop or slice the cooked chicken breast, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the avocado, crumble the bacon, and slice both the cucumber and red onion. That iconic hard-boiled egg? Give it a nice slice as well. Prepping everything in advance makes assembling your Easy Chicken Cobb Salad so much faster (and prettier!).

Step 2: Arrange the Salad Base

Place your romaine or mixed greens in a large salad bowl or spread them out on a wide serving platter. The greens provide a crisp, refreshing foundation and showcase the colorful toppings once you start layering everything on top.

Step 3: Add the Toppings in Rows or Clusters

Now comes the fun part! Arrange the chicken, eggs, avocado, tomatoes, bacon, blue cheese crumbles, cucumber, and red onion in eye-catching rows or neat clusters across your greens. This is what gives a classic Easy Chicken Cobb Salad its signature look. Feel free to get creative—presentation is half the joy with a salad like this.

Step 4: Whisk the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until the dressing is creamy and fully combined. This tangy, punchy dressing brings all the flavors together—don’t skip it!

Step 5: Dress and Serve

Right before serving, drizzle the dressing over your arranged salad (or serve it on the side for guests to help themselves). A light toss helps distribute all those delicious flavors, but if you love the look of those beautiful rows, simply let everyone dig in as is.

How to Serve Easy Chicken Cobb Salad

Garnishes

For that finishing touch, sprinkle extra black pepper or a pinch of flaky sea salt over the top. Fresh chopped chives, parsley, or even a squeeze of lemon will add bright color and a fresh, herbal note that takes this Easy Chicken Cobb Salad to the next level.

Side Dishes

This hearty salad is usually a meal on its own, but you can serve it alongside a warm breadstick, a cup of soup, or even some crispy pita chips for extra crunch. If you want to keep things light and low-carb, a fresh fruit salad or some chilled melon makes a refreshing match.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re entertaining or meal-prepping, try serving the salad in individual mason jars or build mini Cobb salads in cups for a party. Arrange toppings in circles instead of rows for a new twist. Or, keep ingredients separated in a platter so everyone can customize their own Easy Chicken Cobb Salad just the way they like it.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, keep the components separate from the dressing if possible. Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. If pre-dressed, eat within 24 hours for best texture—greens can get soggy if they sit with the dressing too long.

Freezing

Salads like this one aren’t suited for freezing, as the fresh vegetables and dairy ingredients become watery and lose their bite after thawing. However, cooked chicken and bacon can be frozen separately and defrosted when you’re ready to build a new Easy Chicken Cobb Salad.

Reheating

No reheating required! That’s the beauty of this dish. If you want to warm up your chicken or bacon, simply heat them gently before assembling your salad to enjoy a contrast of warm and cold elements.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought dressing for this salad?

Absolutely! While the homemade dressing is quick and flavorful, feel free to use your favorite store-bought vinaigrette or ranch to keep things extra convenient.

What’s the best way to boil eggs for Easy Chicken Cobb Salad?

Place eggs in a pot, cover with water, bring to a gentle boil, then simmer for 9-10 minutes. Chill in ice water before peeling for perfect, easy-to-slice eggs every time.

Are there good substitutes for blue cheese?

Yes! Feta is a great alternative if you’re not a fan of blue cheese, and goat cheese or shredded cheddar can also work if you prefer a milder flavor.

Can I make Easy Chicken Cobb Salad ahead for meal prep?

You sure can. Layer ingredients in containers, keeping the dressing and avocado separate until just before eating so everything stays crisp and fresh.

Is this salad keto or low-carb?

Yes, this Easy Chicken Cobb Salad is naturally low in carbs, making it a fantastic choice for keto and other low-carb diets—just double-check your dressing ingredients to be sure.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like the combination of flavors and textures in an Easy Chicken Cobb Salad. Whether you’re making it for a quick lunch, prepping it ahead for busy days, or serving it for friends and family, it’s always a guaranteed hit. Give it a try—you might just find it becomes a regular favorite in your kitchen!

Easy Chicken Cobb Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Easy Chicken Cobb Salad is a delicious and satisfying meal that comes together quickly. With a variety of fresh ingredients and a flavorful dressing, it’s a perfect choice for a healthy lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad:

2 cups cooked chicken breast (chopped or sliced)
4 cups romaine or mixed greens
2 hard-boiled eggs (sliced)
1 avocado (diced)
1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
½ cup cooked bacon (crumbled)
½ cup blue cheese crumbles
½ cup cucumber (sliced)
¼ cup red onion (thinly sliced)
Salt and black pepper to taste

For the dressing:

¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

Arrange the salad: In a large salad bowl or on a serving platter, place the greens as the base. Arrange the chicken, eggs, avocado, tomatoes, bacon, blue cheese, cucumber, and red onion on top.
Make the dressing: Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Drizzle and serve: Just before serving, drizzle the dressing over the salad or serve it on the side.