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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Marinate chicken with olive oil and seasonings, ensuring even coating and adding salt and pepper for enhanced flavor.
- 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.
- Prepare avocado ranch dressing by blending all ingredients until smooth, adjusting consistency with buttermilk or water and seasoning to taste.
- Slice or chop grilled chicken into thin, uniform pieces for easy distribution across the salad.
- Create a vibrant base by mixing salad greens with fresh basil and cilantro, coating lightly with half the prepared dressing.
- Artfully arrange sliced chicken, ripe tomatoes, crumbled cheese, crispy bacon, creamy avocado, and quartered eggs atop the dressed greens.
- 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