Cobb Salad is a classic American salad that combines fresh greens with a variety of toppings, including grilled chicken, crispy bacon, hard-boiled eggs, avocado, and blue cheese. This hearty salad is not only delicious but also packed with protein, making it a perfect meal for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

• 4 cups mixed greens (such as romaine, spinach, and arugula)
• 1 cup cooked chicken breast (diced or sliced)
• 4 strips bacon (cooked and crumbled)
• 2 hard-boiled eggs (peeled and chopped)
• 1 avocado (diced)
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1/4 cup blue cheese (crumbled)
• 1/4 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Dressing (Optional)

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Timing

Making Cobb Salad takes about 15 minutes for preparation and requires no cooking time (unless cooking chicken and bacon).

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

1. Cook Bacon: If not pre-cooked, cook the bacon until crispy, then crumble it into pieces.
2. Hard-Boil Eggs: If not pre-cooked, hard-boil the eggs, peel, and chop them.

Step 2: Assemble the Salad

1. Layer Greens: In a large salad bowl or platter, start with a base of mixed greens.
2. Add Toppings: Arrange the cooked chicken, crumbled bacon, chopped eggs, diced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, crumbled blue cheese, and sliced red onion on top of the greens in rows or sections for a colorful presentation.

Step 3: Prepare the Dressing (Optional)

1. Mix Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.

Step 4: Serve

1. Dress the Salad: Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving, or serve it on the side.
2. Enjoy: Toss the salad gently to combine and enjoy your delicious Cobb Salad!

Nutritional Information

Here’s a quick overview of the nutritional content of Cobb Salad (per serving, based on 4 servings without dressing):

Nutrient	Amount per Serving
Calories	400
Protein	30g
Fat	30g
Carbohydrates	10g
Fiber	5g
Sugar	2g

Tips for Customization

• Protein Variations: Substitute chicken with turkey, shrimp, or tofu for a different protein option.
• Cheese Alternatives: Use feta cheese or goat cheese instead of blue cheese for a different flavor profile.
• Vegetable Additions: Include additional veggies like cucumbers, bell peppers, or radishes for extra crunch and nutrition.

Conclusion

Cobb Salad is a versatile and satisfying meal packed with flavors and textures. It’s perfect for a light lunch or as a main course for dinner, and it can easily be customized to suit your taste!