Classic American Cobb Salad Bowl (Printable)

Hearty American salad with grilled chicken, bacon, avocado, blue cheese, eggs, and crisp greens topped with ranch.

# What You Need:

→ Protein

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 4 slices bacon

→ Vegetables & Greens

03 - 6 cups mixed salad greens (romaine, iceberg, arugula)
04 - 1 large avocado, diced
05 - 2 medium tomatoes, diced
06 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced

→ Dairy & Eggs

07 - 4 large eggs
08 - 3 ounces blue cheese, crumbled

→ Dressing

09 - 1/2 cup ranch dressing

→ Other

10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush chicken breasts with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill for 6-7 minutes per side until fully cooked. Allow to rest, then slice thinly.
02 - Place bacon in skillet over medium heat and cook until crisp. Drain on paper towels and chop into bite-sized pieces.
03 - Place eggs in saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 8-9 minutes. Cool under cold running water, peel, and quarter.
04 - Arrange salad greens in large serving bowl or divide among 4 individual bowls.
05 - Neatly arrange grilled chicken, bacon, avocado, tomatoes, red onion, blue cheese, and egg quarters in rows or sections over greens.
06 - Drizzle with ranch dressing just before serving, or serve dressing on the side.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It feels fancy enough to serve at a dinner party but genuinely takes less time than ordering takeout.
  • Every ingredient has a reason to be there, so you're never eating something out of obligation.
  • It's endlessly adaptable, so you can swap in whatever looks good at the market without guilt.
02 -
  • Don't dice your avocado until the moment you're ready to assemble the salad, otherwise it turns brown and sad and nobody wants that.
  • The order of ingredients matters less than the fact that they're all cold and fresh when they hit the greens, so prep everything ahead if that helps you.
03 -
  • Chill your salad bowl in the freezer for five minutes before assembling if you want everything to stay cold longer.
  • Make extra hard-boiled eggs at the beginning of the week because you'll suddenly want them on everything.
Go Back