Cobb Salad Recipe

Cobb Salad is the kind of meal that feels both hearty and fresh, with every bite serving up a little bit of everything you love: juicy chicken, crisp bacon, creamy avocado, tangy blue cheese, and those perfectly jammy eggs. It’s colorful, balanced, and just as fun to put together as it is to eat!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The best part about Cobb Salad is you don’t need any fancy tricks or hard-to-find ingredients—just a handful of fresh, bold components that each bring their own character to the party. Here’s how these simple additions each build the flavor and wow factor of your salad:

• Chicken breast: Poached until juicy and tender, then cubed; be sure to let it soak up some of the tangy dressing for max flavor.
• Streaky bacon: Crisped to golden perfection in the pan, it adds irresistible crunch and a savory bite to each mouthful.
• Eggs (4 boiled, quartered): Nine-minute eggs are gorgeously jammy and add satisfying protein plus a creamy texture.
• Cos/romaine lettuce (chopped): The crisp, fresh foundation—use generously so every forkful is refreshing and light.
• Tomatoes: Choose juicy ripe tomatoes or cherry tomatoes for sweetness and a gorgeous pop of color.
• Avocados: Buttery and mild, they lend creaminess and pair beautifully with bacon and blue cheese.
• Gorgonzola dolce or Roquefort: Crumbled blue cheese is essential—it melts slightly into the salad, adding tang and richness (see note for swaps).
• Chives: A fresh, oniony finish that brightens the whole salad.
• Dressing (Dijon, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, shallot, sugar, salt & pepper): A punchy homemade vinaigrette that pulls everything together—zippy, balanced, and easy to whip up in a jar.

Variations

Cobb Salad is a classic, but one of the best things about it is how easy it is to switch things up to fit your needs, whether you’re chasing a new flavor, accommodating allergies, or clearing out your fridge. Don’t be afraid to riff and make this recipe your own—it’s practically built for creativity!

• Turkey Bacon: Sub in turkey bacon or even pancetta for a lighter or different twist on the crispy, salty layer.
• Alternative Cheeses: Swap out the blue cheese for feta or goat cheese if you’re not a blue cheese fan (just add a splash more oil to the dressing for extra creaminess).
• No Chicken? Rotisserie chicken, grilled shrimp, or even chickpeas make excellent protein swaps when you want to save time or go vegetarian.
• Low-Carb or Dairy-Free: Leave off the cheese and pour on extra avocado for a Cobb Salad that still feels decadent and delicious.

How to Make Cobb Salad

Step 1: Make the Dressing

Start by making your homemade vinaigrette: in a jar, add Dijon mustard, extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, minced shallot, a touch of sugar, salt, and black pepper. Give it a vigorous shake until the mixture is glossy and well-blended. The tanginess here is designed to balance all those luscious toppings!

Step 2: Cook and Flavor the Chicken

Poach the chicken breasts until perfectly juicy (trust me, this method is foolproof—no dry chicken here!). Once cooled, slice into cubes and toss them with salt, pepper, and a few spoonfuls of the dressing to infuse them with flavor. Set aside and let that tangy magic do its work.

Step 3: Crisp Up the Bacon

Place bacon strips in a cold non-stick skillet (no oil needed). Set the heat to medium-high and watch as they sizzle and become golden brown. Flip halfway through, then remove to drain. When cool, chop into bite-sized pieces. Golden, crisp bacon is Cobb Salad’s ultimate crowd-pleaser!

Step 4: Boil & Prep the Eggs

Boil your eggs for 9 minutes—they’ll be just the right blend of soft and set inside—and cool them in ice water before peeling. Quarter them for pretty wedges that look gorgeous on your platter.

Step 5: Chop and Arrange Fresh Ingredients

Chop the lettuce into bite-sized pieces, slice your tomatoes and avocados, and have your chives and blue cheese ready to go. Cobb Salad is all about those signature neat rows, so lay out each topping in straight, generous lines across your bed of crisp lettuce.

Step 6: Assemble and Serve

Now for the fun part: on a large platter, layer the lettuce first, then arrange the chicken, egg wedges, bacon, tomatoes, and avocado in tidy rows. Crumble the blue cheese (don’t be shy!), sprinkle with chives, and serve the dressing in a jug on the side. Everyone gets to drizzle, toss, and enjoy their perfect plateful of Cobb Salad!

How to Serve Cobb Salad

Garnishes

A final sprinkle of extra chives, a little black pepper, or even a handful of microgreens brings extra freshness and color to each plate. You can also amp up that creamy factor with just a few more blue cheese crumbles or a thin drizzle of your favorite hot sauce for a zingy finish.

Side Dishes

Cobb Salad is hearty enough to be the star of any meal, but it also plays well with others. A simple crusty baguette, herby focaccia, or even a chilled soup like gazpacho makes a perfect pairing if you’re feeding a crowd or serving this as part of a summer dinner party.

Creative Ways to Present

This salad looks stunning on a big platter with each ingredient in rainbow-like rows, but for picnic lunches or work meals, try packing Cobb Salad into individual jars! Or, set up a “salad bar” board with all the toppings in small bowls for a family-style, build-your-own experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’ve got leftover Cobb Salad, store the ingredients in separate airtight containers in the fridge—especially the lettuce and dressing—to keep everything crisp and fresh for up to 2 days. The assembled salad is best enjoyed the day it’s made, as the lettuce will wilt if left dressed too long.

Freezing

Cobb Salad itself isn’t freezer friendly, as the fresh veggies, eggs, and avocado lose their texture when thawed. If you want to get ahead, you can freeze the cooked chicken and even the bacon separately, then assemble the salad with fresh veggies just before serving.

Reheating

Most Cobb Salad ingredients are meant to be served cold or at room temperature. If your chicken or bacon has been refrigerated and you prefer them slightly warm, a very quick reheat (just until warmed through) in the microwave or skillet works—just don’t overdo it and dry them out.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

There’s just something special about a big beautiful platter of Cobb Salad—it feels celebratory, satisfying, and totally doable any day of the week. I hope you give this classic recipe a try soon, and don’t forget to add your own little twist. Happy cooking, and enjoy every bite!

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