Crafted with wholesome ingredients, this traditional chicken cobb salad is a refreshing blend of flavors and textures. The salad is a delicious melding of juicy chicken breast, crispy bacon, succulent tomatoes, crunchy cucumber, creamy avocado, and eggs, all nestled on a bed of crisp green leaf lettuce. A tangy homemade dressing provides a zesty kick that complements the diverse ingredients, culminating in a satisfying meal that you'll crave again and again.
Most ingredients for this recipe are staples you likely already have in your kitchen. However, shallots and French's Dijon mustard, used in the dressing, might require a trip to the supermarket if you don't have them on hand. Shallots have a slightly sweeter and milder flavor than onions, which goes well with the tangy mustard.
Ingredients for Traditional Chicken Cobb Salad
French's Dijon mustard: This mustard is a bit more refined and smoother than traditional yellow mustard, and it provides a tangy kick to the dressing.
Shallot: Shallots impart a mild, sweet flavor that complements the tanginess of the mustard in the dressing.
Chicken breast: The star of the salad, chicken breast, provides a lean source of protein.
Eggs: When boiled and quartered, eggs add a satisfying richness to the salad.
Bacon: Bacon lends a savory, smoky flavor and a delightful crunch.
Green leaf lettuce: This lettuce forms the crisp, fresh base of the salad.
Tomatoes: Tomatoes add a refreshing sweetness and juiciness.
Radish: Radishes provide a peppery bite and a satisfying crunch.
Cucumber: Cucumbers contribute a subtle sweetness and a refreshing crunch.
Avocado: Avocado lends a luscious creaminess that contrasts beautifully with the other textures in the salad.
One reader, Cherlyn Bryan says:
This traditional chicken cobb salad recipe is a game-changer! The flavors are so fresh and vibrant, and the dressing ties everything together perfectly. The combination of crispy bacon, tender chicken, and creamy avocado is simply divine. It's a go-to for a satisfying and healthy meal. Highly recommended!
Mastering the Art of Cobb Salad Preparation
How to make the dressing: Whisk together French’s Dijon mustard, shallots, lemon juice, sugar, salt, and pepper. Gradually whisk in the olive oil until the dressing is fully emulsified. Set aside.
How to cook the chicken: Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Heat up an oiled skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken until seared on the first side for 3 to 4 minutes, then flip the chicken. Cover with a lid to allow the chicken to cook through for 7 to 10 minutes. Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the pan and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes, then cut it into slices.
How to assemble the salad: Arrange the lettuce on a large platter. On top of the lettuce, place small piles of the chicken, eggs, bacon, tomatoes, radishes, cucumbers, and avocado.
How To Make Traditional Chicken Cobb Salad
Enjoy amazing and fresh traditionally-made cobb salad with the neutral taste from cucumber and avocado. Top with tasty chicken for a filling meal.
Serves:
Ingredients
For Dressing:
- 1tbspFrench’s Dijon Mustard
- 2tbspshallot,minced
- ¼cuplemon juice
- ½tspsugar
- ½tspsalt
- ¼tspMcCormick® black pepper
- ⅔cupolive oil
For Salad:
- 1lbchicken breast,boneless, skinless
- 4eggs,hard-boiled
- ½lbbacon,cooked
- 1headgreen leaf lettuce,torn into bite-size pieces
- 6smalltomatoes,on the vine, quartered
- radish,quartered
- 1cupcucumber,sliced
- 1avocado,thinly sliced
Instructions
-
Make the dressing by whisking together French’s Dijon Mustard, shallots, lemon juice, sugar, salt, and pepper. Gradually whisk in the olive oil until dressing is fully emulsified. Set aside.
-
Rub chicken breasts with olive oil. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
-
Heat up an oiled skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until seared on the first side, 3 to 4 minutes, then flip the chicken.
-
Cover with a lid to allow the chicken to cook through, 7 to 10 minutes. Once the chicken is cooked through, remove from pan and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes, then cut into slices.
-
Cut the hard-boiled eggs into quarters. Cut the bacon into 1-inch pieces.
-
Arrange the lettuce on a large platter. On top of the lettuce, place small piles of the chicken, eggs, bacon, tomatoes, radishes, cucumbers, and avocado.
-
Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 622.11kcal
- Fat: 53.97g
- Saturated Fat: 12.00g
- Trans Fat: 0.14g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 31.41g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 7.72g
- Carbohydrates: 9.72g
- Fiber: 3.76g
- Sugar: 4.36g
- Protein: 26.02g
- Cholesterol: 179.97mg
- Sodium: 569.55mg
- Calcium: 48.40mg
- Potassium: 726.65mg
- Iron: 2.00mg
- Vitamin A: 118.59µg
- Vitamin C: 20.87mg
Pro Tip for Perfecting Your Cobb Salad
When cooking the chicken, it's important to let it rest after removing it from the heat. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful dish. Also, when arranging the salad, consider placing the ingredients in a color-contrasting manner. This not only makes the salad more visually appealing but also ensures a good mix of flavors in every bite.
Time-Saving Hacks for Preparing Traditional Chicken Cobb Salad
Prep ahead: Chop and prepare all the ingredients in advance, such as the vegetables, chicken, and hard-boiled eggs, to save time when assembling the salad.
Multitask: While the chicken is cooking, simultaneously boil the eggs and cook the bacon to efficiently use your time in the kitchen.
Organized workspace: Keep your kitchen organized and clean as you work through the recipe to avoid wasting time searching for utensils or ingredients.
Substitute Ingredients For Traditional Chicken Cobb Salad Recipe
chicken breast - Substitute with turkey breast: Turkey breast is a lean and flavorful alternative to chicken breast, providing a similar texture and taste to the salad.
eggs - Substitute with hard-boiled tofu: Hard-boiled tofu can be used as a plant-based alternative to eggs, providing a similar protein-rich component to the salad.
bacon - Substitute with smoked tempeh strips: Smoked tempeh strips offer a smoky flavor and hearty texture, serving as a plant-based alternative to bacon in the salad.
green leaf lettuce - Substitute with baby spinach: Baby spinach can be used as a nutritious and flavorful alternative to green leaf lettuce, adding a vibrant color and fresh taste to the salad.
tomatoes - Substitute with sundried tomatoes: Sun-dried tomatoes provide a concentrated burst of sweet and tangy flavor, offering a unique twist to the traditional tomatoes in the salad.
radish - Substitute with jicama: Jicama offers a crisp and slightly sweet texture, serving as a refreshing alternative to radish in the salad.
cucumber - Substitute with zucchini ribbons: Zucchini ribbons provide a similar crunchy texture and mild flavor, offering a creative twist to the traditional cucumber in the salad.
avocado - Substitute with mango: Mango offers a sweet and creamy texture, providing a tropical and flavorful alternative to avocado in the salad.
Plating Ideas for a Stunning Cobb Salad
Elevate the plating: When presenting the traditional chicken cobb salad, focus on creating an elegant and visually appealing arrangement. Use the vibrant colors of the fresh ingredients to create a visually stunning display on the plate.
Incorporate artistic elements: Introduce artistic elements into the plating, such as using edible flowers or microgreens to add a touch of sophistication and elevate the overall presentation.
Emphasize precision: Pay attention to the precision of the placement of each ingredient. Each component should be meticulously arranged to showcase the attention to detail and culinary expertise.
Highlight the freshness: Showcase the freshness of the ingredients by arranging them in a way that highlights their natural beauty. This will emphasize the quality and appeal of the dish.
Balance the composition: Create a balanced composition by considering the visual weight of each element. This will ensure that the presentation is harmonious and visually striking.
Utilize negative space: Embrace negative space on the plate to allow the components of the salad to stand out. This will create a visually captivating presentation that captures the attention of the culinary professionals.
Incorporate texture: Introduce textural contrast by layering the ingredients strategically. Consider incorporating crispy elements, such as the bacon, with the softer components to add depth to the presentation.
Showcase the dressing: Instead of tossing the salad with the dressing, consider drizzling the dressing in an artistic manner over the salad. This will add a touch of finesse and allow the vibrant colors of the salad to shine through.
Highlight the protein: Place the sliced chicken breast as a focal point of the dish, drawing attention to the carefully cooked and beautifully presented protein.
Add a touch of luxury: Consider incorporating a gourmet touch, such as a sprinkle of truffle oil or a shaving of parmesan cheese, to elevate the flavor profile and add a luxurious element to the presentation.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making a Delicious Cobb Salad
- Cutting board: A flat board used for cutting and preparing ingredients.
- Chef's knife: A versatile and essential kitchen tool used for chopping, slicing, and dicing ingredients.
- Mixing bowl: Used for combining ingredients and mixing dressings or marinades.
- Skillet: A frying pan with a flat bottom and sloping sides, used for sautéing and frying.
- Whisk: A kitchen utensil used for whipping and mixing ingredients together.
- Tongs: Used for flipping and turning ingredients while cooking.
- Saucepan: A deep cooking pan with a handle, used for making dressings or sauces.
- Salad spinner: Used for washing and drying salad greens.
- Meat thermometer: Essential for checking the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it is fully cooked.
- Platter: A large, flat serving dish for arranging and serving the salad.
Preserving the Freshness of Your Cobb Salad
- To store the chicken cobb salad, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the dressing separate from the salad ingredients to prevent the lettuce from getting soggy.
- If you have leftover chicken, bacon, or hard-boiled eggs, store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They can be added to the salad when ready to serve.
- The avocado is best cut fresh when ready to serve the salad, as it tends to brown quickly once cut. If you have leftover avocado, sprinkle it with lemon juice and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
- The dressing can be stored in a separate airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Give it a good shake or whisk before using it on the salad.
- Unfortunately, the traditional chicken cobb salad does not freeze well due to the delicate nature of the lettuce and other fresh ingredients. It is best to enjoy this salad fresh and store any leftovers in the refrigerator for a few days.
Reviving Leftover Cobb Salad: Tips and Tricks
To reheat leftover traditional chicken cobb salad, start by removing any avocado or lettuce from the salad, as these ingredients do not reheat well and can become soggy or brown.
Place the remaining ingredients, such as the chicken, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, radishes, and cucumbers, in a microwave-safe bowl.
Cover the bowl with a damp paper towel to help retain moisture and prevent the ingredients from drying out during reheating.
Microwave the salad on high power for 30-second intervals, stirring gently between each interval, until the ingredients are heated through. This should take approximately 1-2 minutes total, depending on the quantity of leftovers and the power of your microwave.
Alternatively, you can reheat the leftover salad ingredients in a skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the pan to prevent sticking and to add flavor. Stir the ingredients occasionally until they are heated through, which should take about 3-5 minutes.
Once the reheated ingredients are warm, transfer them to a serving plate and add fresh lettuce and avocado, if desired.
Drizzle the reserved dressing over the top of the salad, or serve it on the side so that individuals can add the desired amount to their portion.
If the dressing has thickened during storage, you can whisk in a small amount of water or lemon juice to thin it out and restore its original consistency.
Serve the reheated traditional chicken cobb salad immediately and enjoy!
Fascinating Trivia About the Origins of Cobb Salad
The traditional chicken cobb salad is named after its creator, Robert H. Cobb, who was the owner of the famous Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant. The salad was created in 1937 and quickly became a signature dish at the restaurant. It is said that Cobb created the salad late one night using leftovers from the restaurant's kitchen, making it a delicious and resourceful creation. The salad's popularity grew, and it has since become a classic dish enjoyed by many.
Budget-Friendly: Making Cobb Salad at Home
This traditional chicken cobb salad recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The ingredients, such as chicken breast, eggs, bacon, and vegetables, are generally affordable and readily available. The versatility of the ingredients also allows for easy substitution based on seasonal availability, making it a budget-friendly option. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $20-$25, making it an economical choice. Overall Verdict: 9/10.
Is This Cobb Salad Recipe Healthy?
The traditional chicken cobb salad recipe is a nutritious and well-balanced meal that incorporates a variety of healthy ingredients. The salad is packed with protein from the chicken and eggs, fiber from the vegetables, and healthy fats from the avocado and olive oil-based dressing. The inclusion of fresh vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, radishes, and cucumbers provides essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. However, there are a few aspects of the recipe that could be adjusted to make it even healthier.
To further enhance the nutritional value of this salad, consider the following suggestions:
- Opt for lean bacon or turkey bacon to reduce the amount of saturated fat in the dish. Alternatively, you could omit the bacon altogether to lower the overall fat and sodium content.
- Use a mix of dark, leafy greens such as spinach or kale in addition to the green leaf lettuce to increase the vitamin and mineral content of the salad.
- Incorporate additional colorful vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or beets to boost the antioxidant profile and add more texture and flavor to the salad.
- Experiment with whole grain or legume-based salad toppings, such as quinoa or chickpeas, to increase the fiber and plant-based protein content.
- Adjust the dressing by reducing the amount of olive oil and increasing the proportion of lemon juice or vinegar to create a lighter, lower-calorie dressing. You could also add herbs like basil or parsley to the dressing for extra flavor and nutrients.
Our Editor's Take on This Classic Cobb Salad Recipe
This traditional chicken cobb salad recipe is a classic and delicious choice for a light and satisfying meal. The combination of tender chicken, crispy bacon, and fresh vegetables creates a delightful harmony of flavors and textures. The homemade dressing adds a zesty and tangy touch that ties everything together beautifully. It's a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish, making it perfect for any occasion. Overall, this recipe is a winner and is sure to impress anyone who tries it.
Enhance Your Traditional Chicken Cobb Salad Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Delicious Variations on the Classic Cobb Salad
Appetizers and Desserts That Complement Traditional Chicken Cobb Salad
Why trust this Traditional Chicken Cobb Salad Recipe:
This traditional chicken cobb salad recipe offers a delightful combination of fresh, wholesome ingredients. The chicken is seared to perfection, while the hard-boiled eggs and crispy bacon add a satisfying texture. The homemade dressing, made with French’s Dijon mustard and olive oil, provides a zesty and flavorful touch. With vibrant lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and creamy avocado, this recipe promises a harmonious blend of flavors and nutrients. Trust in this recipe for a satisfying and nourishing salad experience.
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