Cobb Salad
This is the ultimate Cobb Salad – hearty, fresh, and packed with flavor. Juicy chicken breast, smoky bacon, creamy avocado, tangy blue cheese, ripe tomatoes, boiled eggs, and crisp romaine lettuce come together for a classic American favorite. The sharpness of the blue cheese is what sets this salad apart from just another chicken-and-lettuce bowl, so don’t skip it! Beautifully presented on a platter in neat rows, this dish is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the appetite. Serve with the punchy homemade vinaigrette on the side so each person can drizzle to taste. Perfect for lunch or dinner, it’s satisfying without being heavy, and ideal for sharing.
| Cuisine | American |
| Category | Salad |
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 20 minutes |
| Rest Time | 20 minutes |
| Total Time | 55 minutes |
| Servings | 4 servings |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Published | 8/18/2025 |
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the dressing: Shake all dressing ingredients together in a jar until well combined. Set aside.
- 2
Cook the chicken: Poach chicken breasts using the foolproof juicy method (20 minutes). Allow to cool to room temperature, then cut into 2 cm / 0.75" cubes. Toss with 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, and 2 tablespoons of the prepared dressing. Set aside.
- 3
Cook the bacon: Place bacon strips into a cold non-stick pan with no oil. Turn the heat to medium-high; as the pan heats, the fat will render. Cook for about 2 minutes until golden, flip and cook for another 1 1/2 minutes until crisp. Drain on paper towels, then chop into 1.5 cm / 0.6" pieces once cooled.
- 4
Assemble the salad: Spread the chopped lettuce over a large platter. Arrange the chicken, bacon, eggs, avocado, and tomato in neat rows on top, keeping the Cobb Salad signature presentation. Scatter crumbled blue cheese evenly and sprinkle with chives.
- 5
Serving: Pour the dressing into a jug and serve it on the side so everyone can dress their salad as they like.
Nutrition Information
| Calories | 706 |
| Protein | 46g |
| Carbohydrates | 15g |
| Total Fat | 52g |
| Saturated Fat | 16g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 27g |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g |
| Cholesterol | 133mg |
| Sodium | 1821mg |
| Potassium | 1435mg |
| Fiber | 7g |
| Sugar | 5g |
| Vitamin A | 13271IU |
| Vitamin C | 22mg |
| Calcium | 275mg |
| Iron | 3mg |
Recipe Notes
Blue cheese – The defining feature of a true Cobb Salad. Creamy gorgonzola is highly recommended since it blends into the salad and almost becomes part of the dressing. Traditional roquefort also works beautifully. The sharper tang of the dressing is intentional, balancing the richness of the cheese.
If you are new to blue cheese, start with a milder variety such as Blue Castello. For those who really don’t enjoy it, feta or goat cheese are suitable alternatives. In this case, add an extra tablespoon of olive oil to the dressing to mellow the tanginess.
For lighter variations, swap streaky bacon with lean bacon or turkey bacon, saving around 60 calories per serving. Note that the blue cheese itself contributes around 130 calories per portion, but it is essential for that classic Cobb character.
This salad looks most striking when served on a platter with the ingredients in rows. It can also be tossed together if preferred, though it loses the traditional visual appeal.
Nutrition information is based on a serving with chicken, bacon, avocado, and full blue cheese quantities included.
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