Cobb Salad with Grilled Chicken, Avocado, and Blue Cheese Dressing

Servings: 4 Total Time: 40 mins Difficulty: Beginner
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Introduction

The Cobb Salad is a hearty, colorful, and protein-packed salad that originated in the United States and has become a classic in American cuisine. Traditionally layered with rows of fresh greens, grilled chicken, crispy bacon, creamy avocado, hard-boiled eggs, juicy tomatoes, and tangy blue cheese, it’s a salad that eats like a full meal. Drizzled with a bold blue cheese dressing, it’s rich, satisfying, and absolutely delicious.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it brings together all my favorite flavors in one bowl—smoky grilled chicken, creamy avocado, salty bacon, tangy blue cheese, and crisp vegetables. It’s hearty enough to be a main course but still light and refreshing. Each bite is a medley of textures—crunchy lettuce, soft eggs, crispy bacon, and tender chicken. Plus, it’s highly customizable: you can swap out ingredients based on preference or availability without losing the salad’s essence.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

This is a must-try dish because it’s the ultimate combination of nutrition and indulgence. It’s high in protein, full of healthy fats, and loaded with vegetables, making it both balanced and filling. It’s perfect for meal prep, a wholesome lunch, or even a dinner party centerpiece. Once you try this homemade version with freshly grilled chicken and a creamy blue cheese dressing, you’ll never settle for a boring salad again.

Recipe Information

  • Preparation Time: 20 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Calories: ~500–600 calories per serving (depending on dressing amount)

Cuisine & Course

  • Cuisine: American
  • Course: Salad, Main Dish, Lunch, Dinner

Ingredients

For the Salad

  • 6 cups romaine lettuce or mixed greens, chopped
  • 2 medium chicken breasts, grilled and sliced
  • 2 medium avocados, diced
  • 4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and quartered
  • 6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ medium red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup blue cheese crumbles

For the Blue Cheese Dressing

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup buttermilk (adjust for consistency)
  • ½ cup blue cheese crumbles
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Simple Cooking Directions

  1. Grill chicken, cook bacon, and prepare hard-boiled eggs.
  2. Chop vegetables and arrange on a large salad platter.
  3. Whisk dressing ingredients until creamy.
  4. Assemble salad with toppings and drizzle with dressing.

Step-by-Step Recipe Preparation

Step 1: Cook the Proteins

  1. Grill Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. Grill over medium-high heat for 5–6 minutes per side until cooked through. Let rest, then slice.
  2. Cook Bacon: Fry bacon in a skillet until crispy, then crumble.
  3. Boil Eggs: Place eggs in boiling water for 9–10 minutes, then cool in ice water and peel. Quarter them.

Step 2: Make the Dressing

  1. In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and seasonings.
  2. Stir in blue cheese crumbles. Adjust consistency with more buttermilk if needed.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

  1. Spread chopped lettuce or greens on a large platter.
  2. Arrange chicken, avocado, eggs, bacon, tomatoes, onion, and blue cheese in rows or sections on top.
  3. Drizzle with blue cheese dressing or serve dressing on the side.

How to Serve

  • Serve as a main course salad for lunch or dinner.
  • Present on a large platter for a family-style meal.
  • Pair with crusty bread or soup for a hearty combo.
  • Serve dressing on the side so everyone can add to taste.

Additional Recipe Tips

  • Let chicken rest before slicing to keep it juicy.
  • Use a sharp knife for clean egg cuts.
  • For extra flavor, marinate chicken in olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice before grilling.
  • Use freshly cooked bacon instead of pre-packaged for the best taste.

Variations

  • Lighter Dressing: Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise and sour cream.
  • Different Cheese: Substitute feta or goat cheese if you don’t like blue cheese.
  • Vegetarian Cobb Salad: Skip chicken and bacon, add chickpeas or grilled tofu.
  • Seafood Cobb Salad: Replace chicken with grilled shrimp or salmon.
  • Southwest Cobb: Add corn, black beans, and a chipotle-lime dressing.

Freezing & Storage

  • Chicken: Can be grilled ahead and stored in the fridge for 3–4 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
  • Dressing: Store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Do not freeze.
  • Salad (assembled): Best eaten fresh. Store undressed salad in the fridge for up to 1 day. Once dressed, consume immediately.
  • Bacon & Eggs: Cook ahead and refrigerate separately for up to 3 days.

Special Equipment Needed

  • Grill pan or outdoor grill (for chicken)
  • Medium saucepan (for boiling eggs)
  • Mixing bowl (for dressing)
  • Large salad platter or bowl

Conclusion

The Cobb Salad with Grilled Chicken, Avocado, and Blue Cheese Dressing is more than just a salad—it’s a complete, flavorful, and satisfying meal. With layers of fresh greens, juicy chicken, creamy avocado, crispy bacon, and tangy blue cheese, every bite is indulgent yet nutritious. This classic American salad is endlessly versatile, easy to prepare, and perfect for any occasion, from casual lunches to elegant dinners. Once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s one of the most beloved salads in the world.

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Cobb Salad with Grilled Chicken, Avocado, and Blue Cheese Dressing

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 20 mins Cook Time 20 mins Total Time 40 mins
Servings: 4 Calories: 600 kcal

Description

The Cobb Salad is a hearty, colorful, and protein-packed salad that originated in the United States and has become a classic in American cuisine.

Ingredients

For the Salad

For the Blue Cheese Dressing

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cook the Proteins : Grill Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. Grill over medium-high heat for 5–6 minutes per side until cooked through. Let rest, then slice.Cook Bacon: Fry bacon in a skillet until crispy, then crumble.Boil Eggs: Place eggs in boiling water for 9–10 minutes, then cool in ice water and peel. Quarter them.
  2. Step 2: Make the Dressing : In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and seasonings.Stir in blue cheese crumbles. Adjust consistency with more buttermilk if needed.
  3. Step 3: Assemble the Salad : Spread chopped lettuce or greens on a large platter. Arrange chicken, avocado, eggs, bacon, tomatoes, onion, and blue cheese in rows or sections on top.Drizzle with blue cheese dressing or serve dressing on the side.
Keywords: Cobb Salad with Grilled Chicken, Avocado, and Blue Cheese Dressing
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Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All:

Q1: Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of grilled?

Yes, rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut for this salad.

Q2: Can I make the salad ahead of time?

You can prep the ingredients ahead, but assemble just before serving to keep it fresh.

Q3: What can I use instead of blue cheese?

Feta, goat cheese, or shredded cheddar are all good alternatives.

Q4: How do I keep avocado from browning?

Toss avocado chunks in lemon juice before adding them to the salad.

Samantha Doe Food and Lifestyle Blogger

Hi, I'm Samantha, a full-time food blogger, mother of 2 beautiful daughters and a lovely wife. I live in New Jersey with my family. Loves traveling, sharing new recipes, and spending time with my family.

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