This Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad is delicious, dinner-worthy, and a great option if you are into a healthier lifestyle. The combination of vegetables and protein makes this recipe a quick, easy, and perfect filling meal for your family dinner plans.
Growing up, my mom made sure that salad was part of our weekly diet. Maybe this is part of the reason why I love a good bowl of freshly chopped salad, especially now that a warmer weather has just knocked on our doors.
Irresistible Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad Delight
Creating this recipe for the Alabama Poultry and Egg magazine for the May/June issue got me thinking how underrated salads are. As kids, there was a constant feeling of dread associated with salads- and I always asked myself why- because this Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad is anything but boring!
Presenting to you a twirl of greens, with a flavorful presence of chicken and bacon, and a refreshing drizzle of your favorite dressing in one wholesome bowl! A healthy, filling, vibrant, and hearty meal that will have you addicted in no time!
The Story Behind the Name
I have always been fascinated by the idea that certain dishes possess their own names. It is like they hide a certain story behind their deliciousness. When it comes to this Chicken Cobb salad, this appetizing spur of the moment invention got its name after the Brown Derby restaurant owner “Robert Cobb”.
A late night hunger drove Robert to his restaurant’s kitchen in search of something to eat. Pulling what is available, with a little bit of this and a little bit of that into a bowl, the famous “Cobb Salad” was born, and hit Brown Derby’s menu in 1937.
Come to think of it, it is funny how people are fawning over leftovers, but if they are as merely as good as this one…Count us in!
Make This Recipe Your Own!
We all like to spur some of our own magic onto everything we do, including food recipes. For that reason, if you want to shake things up a bit and try your own twirl on this Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad recipe, then be my guest! You can chop whatever kind of vegetable you like into your salad bowl for an extra taste.
Also, my recipe contains bacon bits, but you can absolutely cook your bacon in the oven; I know how some like their bacon hot and extra crispy. While you are at it, add some avocado slices to the mix!
Not a chicken fan? Try this recipe with my Oven Roasted Turkey Breast recipe. I promise that you will get the same incredible taste you were anticipating from the start! See, the beauty of this Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad recipe is that you can fulfill all your food fantasies in a single bowl!
A Burst of Flavors in Every Bite
How to Store
Transfer any leftover salad into an airtight container. Ideally, consume the salad within 1-2 days for optimal freshness.
The dressing should be stored separately in a small, leak-proof container. Refrigerate the salad and dressing promptly.
To maintain the salad’s freshness, start by placing a layer of chopped romaine lettuce at the bottom of the container. Next, add the grilled chicken, tomato slices, shredded cheese, bacon bits, and sliced hard-boiled eggs in separate sections or layers. This layering technique helps prevent the ingredients from becoming soggy or mixed together prematurely.
Pro-Tips for Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad
The mix of protein and vegetables makes this salad a filling meal. But you can omit the chicken and bacon bits if you are looking for a vegetarian option.
If you are looking to save time, then I recommend cooking your egg and chicken ahead of time. That will allow you to assemble this salad in a flash at dinnertime.
This recipe is quite adaptable, so feel free to add some of vegetables to the mix if you prefer.
This recipe will work perfectly in a mason jar. Get creative and add carrots, cucumbers, mushrooms, or any other veggies.
Serving Hacks
Transform the Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad into a hearty wrap or sandwich by layering the ingredients in a tortilla or bread of choice, adding an extra spread of dressing for extra flavor.
Serve the Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad as a refreshing and satisfying side dish alongside grilled meats or seafood, providing a nutritious balance to the main course.
Present the salad on a large platter or serving bowl, allowing guests to serve themselves family-style during a casual gathering or buffet-style event.
Serve the Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad as a main course, accompanied by warm crusty bread or garlic breadsticks for a complete and filling meal.
Frequently Asked Questions:
This really depends on your preference. You can use any salad dressing your taste buds think it fits! Personally, I would recommend using Vinaigrette, Ranch.
Marinating chicken is always a great idea. Marinate your chicken for a couple of hours ahead of time, and that would intensify the flavors. If you are looking for an overnight soak, then you better keep them in the fridge.
Of course it is! Chop the vegetables, grill your chicken, then place them in an airtight container in the fridge. Don’t drizzle the dressing, keep it until you are ready to eat.
The classic Cobb Salad recipe incorporates a combination of four types of leafy greens: iceberg lettuce, watercress, endive, and romaine lettuce. Whichever option you choose, the salad will be delicious. Personally, I prefer the crispness of Iceberg or romaine lettuce in this salad.
Chicken salad is abundant in lean protein, essential vitamins, and minerals, making it a valuable component of a nutritious meal and a well-balanced diet.
Ingredients for Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad:
Romaine lettuce
Roma tomato
Shredded cheese
Real bacon bits
Hard-boiled eggs
Cooked chicken
Grill Your Chicken to Perfection!
I am not going to leave you hanging while trying to grill your chicken for the Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad. Let us cover all the basics so you won’t feel stranded in the middle of making this recipe!
Place your chicken in a freezer bag, then pound them.
Marinate your chicken with olive oil, lemon zest, salt and pepper, and your preferred spice mix, then let them rest for about 20 minutes or more if you have time.
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, then toss your chicken onto the grill.
Keep your chicken for about 3-4 minutes on each side.
Instructions for Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad
Chop and wash the lettuce.
In a large bowl or platter spread out lettuce, and then add rows of tomatoes, cheese, bacon bits, eggs, and your grilled chicken.
Season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with a salad dressing of your choice.
A Symphony of Freshness and Flavor
Other Recipes for You to Try
Chicken Roll Ups With Tortillas – Greek
Cheesy Sausage Potato Casserole
Best BBQ Chicken Baked Potato Recipe
Tuna Fish Salad with Egg and Relish
Chicken Roll Ups With Tortillas – Greek
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Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad
Ingredients
- 1 Head of romaine lettuce finely chopped
- 1 Roma tomato slices
- ¼ cup Shredded cheese
- ¼ cup Real bacon bits
- 2 Hard-boiled eggs sliced
- 12 ounces Cooked chicken diced
Instructions
- Chop and wash the lettuce.
- In a large bowl or platter, spread out lettuce, and then add rows of tomatoes, cheese, bacon bits, eggs, and your grilled chicken.
- Season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with a salad dressing of your choice.
Notes
- The mix of protein and vegetables makes this salad a filling meal. But you can omit the chicken and bacon bits if you are looking for a vegetarian option.
- If you are looking to save time, then I recommend cooking your egg and chicken ahead of time. That will allow you to assemble this salad in a flash at dinnertime.
- This recipe is quite adaptable, so feel free to add some of vegetables to the mix if you prefer.
- This recipe will work perfectly in a mason jar. Get creative and add carrots, cucumbers, mushrooms, or any other veggies.
K. Marie, love a good hearty salad. The added protein food items and the bacon bits take the flavor profile to a whole new level. Looks delicious😋
Thank you so much Kevin!! 🙂
Cobb salad is my husband’s favorite, will need to try your mason jar idea.
Thank you so much Phuong!! I hope you try it!!