Classic Cobb Salad with Bacon, Chicken, Avocado, and Blue Cheese Recipe
A classic and vibrant Cobb Salad featuring crispy bacon, tender chicken, fresh romaine lettuce, creamy avocado, hard-boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and blue cheese, all brought together with a tangy homemade balsamic vinaigrette. Perfect for a healthy and satisfying meal ready in just 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 6 oz bacon (6 slices, chopped and browned)
- 1 medium head romaine lettuce (5 cups chopped, rinsed and dried)
- 2 cooked chicken breasts, diced or sliced
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and quartered
- 1 large avocado, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
Cheese and Herbs
- 1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled (or feta cheese or goat cheese)
- 2 Tbsp parsley or chives, finely chopped (optional)
Dressing
- 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, pressed or finely minced
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Bacon and Eggs: Bake, air fry, or sauté the chopped bacon in a skillet until browned and crispy. Meanwhile, cook 2 hard-boiled eggs by boiling them for about 10-12 minutes, then chill them in ice water, peel, and quarter the eggs.
- Prepare Lettuce: Chop the romaine lettuce, rinse thoroughly to remove any dirt, and spin dry using a salad spinner or pat dry with paper towels. Arrange the chopped lettuce evenly on a shallow platter as the base of the salad.
- Arrange Salad Ingredients: Place the cooked chicken, quartered hard-boiled eggs, sliced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, crumbled blue cheese, and crispy bacon in neat rows over the bed of romaine lettuce. Sprinkle the finely chopped parsley or chives over the top for a fresh, herbal finish.
- Make Dressing and Serve: In a mason jar or small bowl, combine balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Shake or whisk vigorously until the dressing emulsifies. Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving, or offer it on the side so guests can add to taste.
Notes
- You can substitute blue cheese with feta or goat cheese if preferred.
- Cook the chicken breasts ahead of time by grilling, baking, or pan-searing to save preparation time.
- For extra texture, consider adding toasted nuts or seeds.
- Keep the dressing separate until serving to prevent the greens from wilting.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be stored for up to 1 day if kept refrigerated without dressing.
Keywords: Cobb Salad, Bacon Salad, Chicken Salad, Healthy Salad, American Salad, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Blue Cheese Salad
