The Cobb Salad is a timeless dish that’s both hearty and flavorful, perfect for a light lunch or an impressive dinner presentation. Known for its colorful layers of ingredients, it offers a delightful mix of textures and tastes, all tied together with a tangy dressing. The secret to a great Cobb Salad? The blue cheese. It’s the bold flavor that turns a simple chicken salad into a culinary masterpiece. Below, I’ll guide you through crafting this perfect salad step by step, with tips to make it truly stand out.
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Why You’ll Love This Cobb Salad
Cobb Salad is a celebration of fresh, wholesome ingredients. The combination of tender chicken, crispy bacon, creamy avocado, tangy blue cheese, and perfectly boiled eggs creates an explosion of flavors that are hard to resist. Plus, it’s packed with protein, making it a filling option for any meal. Whether you’re prepping a quick meal or entertaining guests, this recipe is sure to impress.
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Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
400g/14 oz chicken breast (2 pieces)
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
- For the Cobb Salad:
200g/7 oz streaky bacon strips
4 boiled eggs (boil for 9 minutes and quartered)
12 cups romaine lettuce, chopped (or any other crispy lettuce)
2 large tomatoes, cut into wedges (or 250g/8 oz cherry tomatoes, halved)
2 avocados, cut into chunks
200g/7 oz gorgonzola or roquefort (or your favorite blue cheese), crumbled
2 tbsp chives, finely chopped
- For the Dressing:
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
5 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or white/red wine vinegar)
3/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp shallot, finely minced
1/2 tsp white sugar
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dressing
Start by making the dressing. Simply combine the Dijon mustard, extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, kosher salt, black pepper, shallot, and sugar in a jar. Give it a good shake until everything is well mixed. This dressing is light yet tangy, the perfect complement to the richness of the blue cheese and bacon.
2. Cook the Chicken
To ensure perfectly juicy chicken, poach it using the foolproof method: simmer the chicken breasts gently for about 20 minutes. Once cooked, let them cool to room temperature before cutting them into cubes. Toss the chicken with salt, pepper, and a couple of tablespoons of the dressing to infuse it with extra flavor.
3. Crisp the Bacon
Place the bacon strips in a cold non-stick pan and then turn on the heat. As the pan warms, the bacon fat will render, helping it crisp up nicely. Cook for about 2 minutes on each side, or until golden and crispy. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess fat, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
4. Assemble the Salad
On a large platter, spread out the chopped lettuce as the base. Next, arrange the toppings in neat rows to give your salad that classic Cobb look. Place the chicken, crispy bacon, avocado, quartered eggs, and tomatoes in parallel rows on top of the lettuce. Finally, sprinkle the crumbled blue cheese and chopped chives over the entire salad for that finishing touch.
5. Serve and Enjoy!
Serve the dressing on the side, allowing your guests to drizzle it over their salads to taste. This keeps the salad fresh and crisp until the moment it’s enjoyed.
Tips for the Best Cobb Salad
- Choosing the Right Blue Cheese: If you’re new to blue cheese, start with a milder variety like Blue Castello. For a more traditional flavor, go with Gorgonzola or Roquefort. Blue cheese is a hallmark of Cobb Salad, adding a creamy texture and sharp flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
- For Blue Cheese Alternatives: If blue cheese isn’t your thing, feta or goat cheese are excellent substitutes. Just add an extra tablespoon of olive oil to the dressing to balance out the tanginess.
- Make It Lighter: To cut down on calories, opt for turkey bacon instead of regular bacon, or use leaner cuts of meat. The blue cheese alone contributes about 130 calories per serving, but it’s worth it for that authentic Cobb flavor!
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
- Calories: 706
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Protein: 46g
- Fat: 52g
- Fiber: 7g
- Cholesterol: 133mg
- Sodium: 1821mg
- Potassium: 1435mg
Final Thoughts
This Cobb Salad is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser with its satisfying mix of savory and fresh ingredients. The key to its success is balance—rich, creamy elements like avocado and blue cheese paired with tangy dressing and crisp lettuce. Whether you’re hosting a lunch party or just whipping up something healthy for dinner, this salad is sure to make everyone come back for seconds. Enjoy!
If you loved this Cobb Salad Recipe, be sure to explore more comforting salads in our salads recipes. Perfect for any time of day!
