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Chicken Avocado Cobb Supreme

Classic Cobb Salad with Chicken and Avocado: A Fresh, Healthy & Easy Meal

The Cobb Salad stands as a true icon in American cuisine, celebrated for its vibrant presentation and harmonious blend of fresh ingredients. This quintessential salad offers a refreshing and satisfying meal, especially ideal for warm summer days, perfectly showcasing the season’s bounty of crisp greens, juicy grape tomatoes, and creamy avocados. While traditionally served with a rich Blue Cheese Dressing, its versatility truly shines, allowing you to personalize it with your favorite dressing. This recipe focuses on creating a flavorful and wholesome Cobb Salad featuring succulent chicken and luxurious avocado, making it a perfect choice for a quick, healthy lunch or a light, yet fulfilling, dinner.

A beautifully arranged Cobb salad on a white square plate, set against a cheerful yellow tablecloth. The salad features a bed of crisp lettuce, halved bright red grape tomatoes, perfectly sliced hard-boiled eggs, generous cubes of creamy avocado, tender diced chicken, vibrant shredded carrots, and a drizzle of rich blue cheese dressing.

The Storied Origin of the Cobb Salad

Delving into the history of the Cobb Salad reveals a fascinating tale rooted in Hollywood glamour. Legend has it that the salad was spontaneously created late one night in 1937 at the famous Brown Derby Restaurant in Los Angeles by owner Robert Howard Cobb. Hungry after a long day, he supposedly rummaged through the kitchen, grabbing whatever ingredients he could find. He chopped them finely and tossed them with a French dressing. The original combination included lettuce, watercress, tomatoes, chicken, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, avocado, chives, and Roquefort cheese. This serendipitous mix quickly became a hit, solidifying its place as a classic American dish. The Cobb Salad’s enduring popularity is a testament to its perfectly balanced flavors and textures, offering a satisfying blend of crisp, creamy, savory, and fresh in every bite.

Why Choose a Cobb Salad for Your Next Meal?

Beyond its iconic status, the Cobb Salad is a powerhouse of nutrition and convenience, making it an excellent choice for a variety of lifestyles and preferences. It’s not just a salad; it’s a complete meal in a bowl. Each component contributes to a balanced intake of macronutrients: lean protein from the chicken and eggs, healthy fats from the avocado, and essential vitamins and fiber from the diverse array of vegetables. This makes it incredibly filling and satiating without feeling heavy, perfect for those seeking a wholesome and energizing option. Furthermore, its ‘assembly-line’ preparation style means minimal cooking, especially if you plan ahead with ingredients like pre-cooked chicken and hard-boiled eggs. Its vibrant colors and distinct layers also make it an aesthetically pleasing dish, sure to impress guests or simply brighten up your daily lunch.

Maximizing Convenience: Prepare Ahead with Bulk Cooked Chicken

One of the best ways to streamline the preparation of this delicious Cobb Salad, and indeed many other meals, is through the practice of bulk cooking chicken. Imagine having perfectly cooked, ready-to-use chicken breast or thighs waiting in your freezer. This simple habit can drastically cut down on weeknight cooking time. On a designated prep day, cook a larger batch of chicken – whether it’s baking, grilling, or poaching. Once cooled, dice or shred it and portion it into freezer-safe bags or containers. When you’re ready to make your Cobb Salad, simply grab the amount of chicken you need, thaw it, and it’s ready to be layered into your salad. This not only saves time but also ensures you always have a lean protein source on hand for quick and healthy meals, transforming meal prep into a breeze and making healthy eating more accessible.

Recipe

A vibrant Cobb salad with chicken and avocado, presented on a white plate on a yellow tablecloth, showcasing crisp lettuce, colorful grape tomatoes, perfectly sliced boiled eggs, creamy avocado cubes, tender chicken pieces, shredded carrots, and a generous drizzle of blue cheese dressing.

Cobb Salad with Chicken and Avocado

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This Cobb Salad recipe presents a refreshing and satisfying summer meal, taking full advantage of delicious fresh grape tomatoes and creamy avocados. It’s a quick and easy way to enjoy a balanced, flavorful dish that’s perfect for any occasion.
AuthorMary Ann
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Course Main Dish, Salad
Cuisine American, Gluten-free

Servings 4 servings
Calories 463

Ingredients

  

  • 12 oz. bag salad greens, washed
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, cubed
  • 2 cups grape tomatoes
  • 4 hard boiled eggs, peeled and sliced
  • 4 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 cup carrots, grated
  • 1 cup avocado, peeled and cubed
  • 4 oz. blue cheese, crumbled
  • 4 tablespoon Blue Cheese dressing
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Instructions

  • In a large bowl, or on a large serving platter, place salad greens in bottom of bowl and layer remaining ingredients. Serve with Blue Cheese Dressing.

Notes

If you bulk cook chicken, use your chicken from the freezer for this salad.

Blue Cheese Dressing is the traditional salad dressing for a Cobb Salad, but feel free to use a dressing of your choice.

Nutrition per serving

Calories: 463 calCarbohydrates: 14 gProtein: 38 gFat: 29 gSodium: 1021 mgFiber: 4 gSugar: 5 g

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A vibrant and colorful Cobb Salad, served in a large, inviting bowl. The ingredients are clearly visible: fresh green lettuce, bright red grape tomatoes, perfectly sliced hard-boiled eggs, creamy avocado cubes, tender diced chicken, and crunchy shredded carrots, all ready to be dressed.

Ingredient Spotlight: Building the Perfect Cobb Salad

The beauty of a Cobb Salad lies in its thoughtfully chosen ingredients, each playing a crucial role in creating a symphony of flavors and textures. Understanding what each component brings to the table elevates your appreciation for this classic:

  • Crisp Salad Greens: The foundation of any great salad. Choose a fresh mix like romaine, butter lettuce, or a spring mix for varied texture and nutrients. They provide a refreshing, slightly bitter base that complements the richer elements.
  • Tender Cooked Chicken: A fantastic source of lean protein, making the salad a substantial meal. Cubed chicken breast or shredded rotisserie chicken works beautifully, adding a savory and satisfying element. Remember our tip for bulk cooking chicken to save time!
  • Sweet Grape Tomatoes: Bursting with natural sweetness and vibrant color, grape tomatoes add a juicy counterpoint to the savory ingredients. They are also packed with antioxidants.
  • Perfectly Hard-Boiled Eggs: Another excellent source of protein and healthy fats, hard-boiled eggs contribute a creamy texture and richness. Sliced eggs offer a beautiful visual element to the layered salad.
  • Crispy Turkey Bacon: Provides that irresistible salty crunch that’s so characteristic of a Cobb Salad. Opting for turkey bacon is a lighter alternative without compromising on flavor, giving you that smoky, savory kick.
  • Shredded Carrots: Add a touch of natural sweetness, a lovely pop of orange color, and a pleasant crunch. Carrots are also rich in beta-carotene and fiber.
  • Creamy Avocado: Essential for its buttery texture and healthy monounsaturated fats. Avocados bring a rich, smooth element that balances the other ingredients and makes the salad incredibly satisfying. Ensure they are ripe but firm enough to cube easily.
  • Crumbled Blue Cheese: The bold, pungent flavor of blue cheese is what truly defines a traditional Cobb Salad. Its sharp notes cut through the richness of the other ingredients, adding a sophisticated depth. If blue cheese is too strong for your palate, consider feta or goat cheese as alternatives.

Dressing Your Cobb Salad: Beyond the Traditional Blue Cheese

While Blue Cheese Dressing is the time-honored choice for a classic Cobb Salad, its strong, distinctive flavor isn’t for everyone. The beauty of this salad is its adaptability, allowing for a wide range of dressing options to suit individual tastes. For those who prefer a milder profile, a creamy Ranch dressing offers a familiar and comforting alternative. A light vinaigrette, such as a red wine vinaigrette or a balsamic vinaigrette, can highlight the freshness of the vegetables and provide a zesty contrast. Even a simple lemon-tahini dressing can add an interesting, nutty twist. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different dressings to discover your perfect pairing, ensuring your Cobb Salad is always a delightful culinary experience tailored to your preference.

Expert Tips for Assembling Your Perfect Cobb Salad

Creating a visually stunning and delicious Cobb Salad is simple with a few helpful tips:

  • Ingredient Preparation is Key: Ensure all your ingredients are prepped before you start assembling. This includes washing and drying your greens thoroughly, cooking and cubing your chicken, hard-boiling and slicing eggs, cooking and crumbling bacon, and dicing your avocado just before serving to prevent browning.
  • The Art of Layering: For that iconic, beautiful presentation, arrange your ingredients in distinct rows or sections over a bed of greens on a large platter or in individual shallow bowls. This layering showcases the vibrant colors and textures of each component, making the salad as appealing to the eye as it is to the palate.
  • Dressing on the Side (or Lightly Drizzled): To prevent sogginess, especially if preparing ahead, serve the dressing on the side. Alternatively, drizzle it lightly over the top just before serving. This allows everyone to customize their dressing amount and ensures the ingredients remain fresh and crisp.
  • Freshness Matters: Always use the freshest possible ingredients. This is a salad where the quality of each component truly shines through.

Creative Variations to Explore

The Cobb Salad, while a classic, is incredibly forgiving and open to creative interpretations. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make it your own!

  • Alternate Proteins: Swap chicken for grilled steak, shrimp, salmon, or even crispy chickpeas for a vegetarian option.
  • Cheese Choices: If blue cheese isn’t your favorite, try crumbled feta, goat cheese, or shredded cheddar for different flavor profiles.
  • Add More Veggies: Bell peppers, corn, cucumbers, or red onion can add extra crunch, color, and nutrients.
  • Make it Vegan: Omit chicken, eggs, bacon, and blue cheese. Use smoked tofu or tempeh, chickpeas, and a vegan ranch or vinaigrette.
  • Spice it Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce in your dressing can add a pleasant kick.

Serving Suggestions for Your Delicious Cobb Salad

This Cobb Salad is a complete meal on its own, packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber. However, if you’re looking to round out your dining experience, consider serving it alongside a warm, crusty baguette or some whole-grain crackers to sop up any delicious dressing. For a heartier spread, a light soup or a refreshing fruit salad would make excellent companions. This salad is also a fantastic addition to any summer potluck or BBQ, offering a vibrant and wholesome option that’s always a crowd-pleaser.

Enjoying a Timeless Classic

The Cobb Salad with chicken and avocado is more than just a dish; it’s a culinary experience that combines history, nutrition, and delightful flavors into one refreshing package. Its straightforward assembly, coupled with the option for efficient meal prep through bulk-cooked chicken, makes it an accessible and appealing choice for home cooks of all skill levels. Whether you’re enjoying it on a warm summer evening or as a satisfying lunch, this salad promises a burst of fresh, savory goodness in every forkful. We encourage you to embrace the tradition, customize it to your heart’s content, and savor this timeless American classic.