Quick & Zesty Chicken Cobb Salad with Avocado Ranch Recipe

Summers call for light, refreshing meals that pack a punch of flavor and nutrition.

This chicken cobb salad with creamy avocado ranch dressing delivers a perfect balance of crisp greens and protein-rich ingredients.

Tender grilled chicken mingles with crispy bacon, ripe tomatoes, and creamy hard-boiled eggs.

Each bite offers a delightful combination of textures and tastes that dance across your palate.

Colorful and satisfying, this salad transforms a simple lunch into a gourmet experience.

The homemade avocado ranch elevates every forkful with its rich, tangy goodness.

FAQs

• What makes the avocado ranch dressing unique?

The dressing combines traditional ranch ingredients with creamy avocado, creating a richer, more flavorful sauce that adds extra creaminess and a subtle avocado taste to the salad.

• Can I prepare the chicken ahead of time?

Yes, you can grill the chicken in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, which makes meal prep easier and faster when you’re ready to assemble the salad.

• Is this salad considered a complete meal?

Absolutely! The chicken provides protein, eggs offer additional protein, cheese adds calcium, and vegetables contribute essential nutrients, making it a well-balanced and nutritious main course.

Chicken Cobb Salad with Avocado Ranch: What Makes It Great

• Savor Quick Grilling Magic: Master a delicious chicken dish with simple grilling techniques that deliver perfectly charred, juicy chicken in minutes.
• Create Restaurant-Style Salad at Home: Elevate your home cooking with a gourmet Cobb salad that looks and tastes like a professional chef prepared it.
• Customize Your Flavor Adventure: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping ingredients or adjusting the creamy avocado ranch dressing to match your personal taste preferences.
• Boost Nutrition with One-Bowl Meal: Pack a powerful protein punch and enjoy a balanced, colorful dish loaded with fresh vegetables, protein, and homemade dressing.

Ingredients for Chicken Cobb Salad with Avocado Ranch

• Chicken: Grilled protein with seasoning that adds a charred and flavorful element to the salad.
• Bacon: Crispy and salty meat that provides a rich and crunchy texture.
• Eggs: Hard-boiled protein that offers a creamy and nutritious component to the salad.

• Mixed Greens, Basil, Cilantro: Fresh and aromatic base that creates a vibrant and flavorful foundation for the salad.

• Tomatoes: Juicy and fresh vegetable that adds bright color and refreshing taste.
• Cheese: Creamy ingredient that provides a tangy and rich flavor profile.
• Avocado: Creamy and smooth fruit that adds richness and healthy fat to the dish.

• Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall flavor of the chicken and salad.
• Buttermilk or Water: Liquid used to adjust the consistency of the avocado ranch dressing.

• Avocado, Herbs, Seasonings: Blend of ingredients that create a creamy and flavorful ranch-style dressing.

How to Prepare Chicken Cobb Salad

Step 1: Prepare Chicken for Grilling

Coat the chicken with olive oil and a blend of seasonings.

Sprinkle salt and pepper generously to enhance the flavor.

Heat your grill, grill pan, or skillet to medium-high temperature, creating the perfect cooking surface.

Step 2: Cook Chicken to Perfection

Grill the chicken until it develops a light char and cooks completely through.

Rotate the chicken halfway during cooking to ensure even heat distribution.

The total cooking time will be around 10 to 12 minutes.

Step 3: Create Creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing

• Avocado
• Buttermilk
• Fresh herbs
• Garlic
• Salt
• Pepper

Combine all ingredients in a blender.

Blend until smooth and creamy.

Add buttermilk or water to achieve your desired consistency.

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Step 4: Slice Chicken

Cut the grilled chicken into thin slices or chop into bite-sized pieces.

Step 5: Assemble Cobb Salad

In a large bowl, mix the greens, basil, and cilantro with half the prepared dressing.

• Sliced chicken
• Cherry tomatoes
• Cheese
• Crispy bacon
• Sliced avocado
• Boiled eggs

Gently toss the salad with additional dressing to distribute flavors evenly.

Serve and enjoy your fresh, vibrant Cobb salad!

Tips for Chicken Cobb Salad Success

• Ensure even cooking by pounding chicken to uniform thickness before grilling, preventing dry edges and raw centers.
• Add buttermilk or water gradually to achieve desired ranch thickness, tasting and adjusting seasoning as you blend.
• Chop basil and cilantro just before adding to salad to preserve vibrant flavor and prevent wilting.
• Cook bacon until extra crispy, then crumble for better texture and more distributed crunch throughout the salad.
• Cut avocado just before serving to prevent browning and maintain fresh, creamy appearance in the salad.

Variations to Try with Chicken Cobb Salad

• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace chicken with grilled tofu or tempeh, seasoned similarly for a plant-based protein option.
• Low-Carb Friendly: Swap greens for cauliflower rice or mixed baby spinach to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining salad structure.
• Mediterranean Style: Substitute bacon with grilled halloumi cheese, add kalamata olives, and use za'atar seasoning for a Middle Eastern flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Variation: Use blackened chicken seasoning, add roasted corn, black beans, and swap ranch for chipotle-lime dressing for a zesty southwestern kick.

Serving Suggestions for Chicken Cobb Salad

• Picnic Perfect Plating: Arrange the salad on a large wooden board for a rustic, inviting presentation that's perfect for outdoor gatherings.
• Protein Power-Up: Serve extra grilled chicken on the side for hungry guests who want additional protein or might want to customize their portion.
• Bread Buddy Pairing: Complement the salad with toasted sourdough or crispy garlic bread to add a crunchy texture and make the meal more filling.
• Wine Companion Choice: Pair with a crisp sauvignon blanc or light chardonnay that matches the fresh ingredients and creamy avocado ranch dressing.

Storing Chicken Cobb Salad Correctly

• Store leftover salad components separately in airtight containers. Keep chicken, eggs, and bacon in one container, greens in another, and dressing in a sealed jar. Refrigerate for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and prevent soggy ingredients.
• Warm chicken gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or microwave in 15-second intervals to prevent drying. Add a splash of water or olive oil to maintain moisture and prevent toughness.
• Keep avocado ranch dressing in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Shake well before using, as separation may occur. Discard if any unusual smell or mold appears.

Chicken Cobb Salad with Avocado Ranch Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Zesty chicken cobb salad with avocado ranch brings classic American flavors to life in one gorgeous bowl. Fresh ingredients and creamy dressing create a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) boneless skinless chicken tenders
• 6 strips cooked bacon (crumbled)
• 4 hard boiled eggs (sliced)

Salad Components:

• 6 cups shredded lettuce
• 1–2 cups cherry tomatoes (sliced)
• 1 cup crumbled blue cheese or cubed cheddar
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1/3 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
• 2 avocados (chopped)

Seasonings and Dressing:

• 2 tablespoons Cajun or lemon pepper seasoning
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1/3 cup fresh cilantro
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• kosher salt
• black pepper

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Instructions

1. Marinate chicken with olive oil and seasonings, ensuring even coating and adding salt and pepper for enhanced flavor.
2. Heat grill, grill pan, or skillet to medium-high heat (375-400°F). Cook chicken until golden brown and fully cooked, approximately 10-12 minutes, rotating midway to ensure uniform charring.
3. Prepare avocado ranch dressing by blending all ingredients until smooth, adjusting consistency with buttermilk or water and seasoning to taste.
4. Slice or chop grilled chicken into thin, uniform pieces for easy distribution across the salad.
5. Create a vibrant base by mixing salad greens with fresh basil and cilantro, coating lightly with half the prepared dressing.
6. Artfully arrange sliced chicken, ripe tomatoes, crumbled cheese, crispy bacon, creamy avocado, and quartered eggs atop the dressed greens.
7. Gently toss the salad with additional dressing, ensuring even coating and flavor distribution without bruising delicate ingredients.

Notes

• Elevate grilling by patting chicken dry before seasoning to ensure better charring and crispier exterior.
• Create a flavor-packed marinade by adding garlic powder or smoked paprika to the chicken seasoning for deeper taste complexity.
• Swap bacon with turkey bacon or tempeh bacon to make the dish lighter or vegetarian-friendly while maintaining a smoky profile.
• Prep ingredients ahead of time to transform this salad into a quick weeknight meal, storing components separately to maintain freshness and prevent sogginess.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 465 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 33 g
• Cholesterol: 215 mg