Easy Chicken Cobb Salad with the best homemade Cobb Salad Dressing! This protein-packed salad is a meal in itself loaded with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, chicken, bacon, boiled eggs, creamy avocado, and crumbled blue cheese.

You will want the easy Balsamic Vinaigrette on all of your salads. Watch the video tutorial below and you will be craving this Classic Cobb Salad.

Cobb salad on a platter with chicken, bacon, lettuce, avocado, tomatoes, blue cheese and dressing in a mason jar

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Chicken Cobb Salad Recipe

The original Cobb Salad was developed by Bob Cobb in 1937 for his Brown Derby Restaurant in Los Angeles. It has become a famous American dish and is similar to a Chef’s Salad. It starts with a bed of green lettuce with rows of ingredients arranged over the top just like we did in our Salmon Cobb Salad, or Shrimp Cobb Salad, and it is served with a vinaigrette dressing.

Cobb Salad Video Tutorial

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What’s In a Cobb Salad?

This is one super satisfying salad. Since it has so much protein, you can eat it as a main course or as a side salad.

  • Chicken – We love using Baked Chicken Breast or our juicy Instant Pot Whole Chicken, but a store-bought rotisserie chicken works great to save time
  • Bacon – try air fryer bacon or crispy oven-baked bacon. You could also sautee bacon in a skillet.
  • Eggs – a great way to add more protein to the salad. Use hard-boiled eggs or Instant Pot Boiled Eggs.
  • Lettuce– chopped romaine bulks up the salad nicely
  • Tomatoes – add a juicy sweet bite – you can use just about any tomatoes (see variations below).
  • Avocado – Adding an avocado always elevates a salad!
  • Cheese – blue cheese is classic to a cobb salad but you can swap it out if you prefer (see variations section for ideas).
  • Onion – a little red onion goes a long way but adds tons of fresh vibrant flavor
  • Parsley – it’s an optional but very nice garnish that makes the salad taste a little fancier.
Cobb salad ingredients with chicken, lettuce, bacon, avocado, cheese and dressing

Variations

  • Protein – you can use a variety of meats here which is why we have everything from a Salmon Cobb Salad to Shrimp Cobb Salad. We also have a delicious Steak Cobb Salad in my debut Cookbook.
  • Cheese – The cheese of choice for the original Cobb Salad is blue cheese. We used a gorgonzola blue cheese but a Roquefort or other blue cheese would work as well. If you aren’t a fan of blue cheese, a crumbled feta works great.
  • Lettuce – iceberg is the classic option, but you can substitute it with chopped iceberg lettuce or even some green lettuce.
  • Tomatoes – I love using cherry tomatoes, but grape tomatoes or even diced heirloom tomatoes would work great here.

What is the Best Cobb Salad Dressing?

A vinaigrette is the classic dressing for Cobb Salad. We use a homemade balsamic vinaigrette here. It’s one of our most loved dressings and the same one we use for Beet Salad and Autumn Chopped Chicken Salad.

If you want to substitute the dressing, try the Red Wine Vinaigrette from our Greek Pasta Salad. A classic Creamy Ranch Dressing, Avocado Ranch, or Jalapeno Ranch would also work well. Note: if you are using a creamy ranch-based dressing, I would recommend using feta cheese instead of blue cheese.

Cobb salad served on a plate with chicken and cobb salad dressing drizzled over the top

How to Make Cobb Salad

  • Pre-Cook Everything – Cook your chicken, bacon, and eggs and set them aside to cool (see all of our make-ahead tips below).
  • Chop your Lettuce, rinse and spin it dry (a salad spinner is such a time saver!), then arrange it on a large shallow platter.
  • Arrange toppings in rows – this makes for such a beautiful presentation. Sprinkle finely chopped parsley over the top.
  • Make the Dressing – shake it up in a mason jar and drizzle over the salad just before serving.
Cobb Salad and dressing made ahead and arranged on a platter

Make-Ahead

You can make the salad and the dressing 2-3 hours ahead of your dinner; just keep them covered and refrigerated separately. Otherwise, the dressing will start to soften the vegetables. Here are some make-ahead tips:

  • Dressing – make this in a mason jar so you can shake it well just before serving in case it separates. Serve it right out of the mason jar.
  • Lettuce can be rinsed and dried 2 days ahead (a salad Spinner works best), then refrigerate until ready to use.
  • Avocado should be sliced shortly before serving since avocado tends to discolor when it comes in contact with air.
  • Chicken Breast can be pre-cooked and chilled
  • Bacon can be browned ahead. Drain on paper towels and refrigerate until ready to use.
  • Eggs – Cook hard-boiled eggs and refrigerate for several days until ready to use.
Up close arrangement of chicken Cobb salad with avocado, bacon, cheese, egg, tomato and onion

This Chicken Cobb Salad is easy to assemble but sure looks stunning when served. Everything about this salad is good! This homemade version blows the Chic-fil-A Cobb Salad and Cheesecake Factory’s Cobb Salad out of the water.

More Top-Rated Salad Recipes to Love

Cobb Salad with the Best Cobb Salad Dressing

5 from 188 votes
Chicken Cobb Salad on a platter with salad dressing in a mason jar
Easy Chicken Cobb Salad with the Best Homemade Cobb Salad Dressing! This protein-packed salad is a meal in itself loaded with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, chicken, bacon, boiled eggs, creamy avocado and crumbled blue cheese.
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 6 people as a side salad

Chicken Cobb Salad Ingredients:

  • 6 oz bacon, (6 slices) chopped and browned
  • 1 medium head romaine lettuce, 5 cups chopped, rinsed and dried
  • 2 cooked chicken breasts, *
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs
  • 1 large avocado, sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled (or feta cheese)
  • 2 Tbsp parsley, finely chopped

Cobb Salad Dressing:

Instructions

  • Bake, Air Fry, or Sautee bacon on a skillet.* Cook 2 hard-boiled eggs, chill in ice water then peel and quarter the eggs. C
  • Chop, rinse and spin dry romaine lettuce and arrange on a shallow platter.
  • Arrange the remaining salad ingredients (chicken, eggs, avocado, tomatoes, onion, blue cheese, and bacon) in rows over the salad, then sprinkle the finely chopped parsley over the salad.
  • Transfer dressing ingredients to a mason jar and shake like crazy. Drizzle over salad just before serving or let guests add their own dressing to taste.

Notes

*For the Chicken – you can use rotisserie chicken and dice it up, or cook and cool some Baked Chicken Breasts. You can also use light or dark meat from an Instant Pot Whole Chicken
*To Sautee bacon, set a skillet over medium heat and cook bacon until browned and crisp on both sides. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to cool then crumble.

Nutrition Per Serving

711kcal Calories12g Carbs50g Protein51g Fat14g Saturated Fat221mg Cholesterol1261mg Sodium905mg Potassium4g Fiber4g Sugar1326IU Vitamin A18mg Vitamin C140mg Calcium3mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Cobb Salad with the Best Cobb Salad Dressing
Amount per Serving
Calories
711
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
51
g
78
%
Saturated Fat
 
14
g
88
%
Cholesterol
 
221
mg
74
%
Sodium
 
1261
mg
55
%
Potassium
 
905
mg
26
%
Carbohydrates
 
12
g
4
%
Fiber
 
4
g
17
%
Sugar
 
4
g
4
%
Protein
 
50
g
100
%
Vitamin A
 
1326
IU
27
%
Vitamin C
 
18
mg
22
%
Calcium
 
140
mg
14
%
Iron
 
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cobb Salad
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 711
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook
5 from 188 votes (134 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Sharon Webb Carroll
    May 28, 2022

    This salad is delicious! We have it often. The dressing is to die for and the combination of ingredients is perfect!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 28, 2022

      So glad to hear that, Sharon. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply

  • Eileen Guichard
    May 12, 2022

    Made this for a picnic and it was fabulous! Definitely will make again and again. ❤️

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 12, 2022

      Hi Eileen! That is wonderful! So glad you enjoyed this recipe. Thank you for the review.

      Reply

  • Tom Koutsalas
    May 7, 2022

    Natasha great recipes,
    regarding the Cob salad I work for Mr. Cobb in 1967 however the Cobb salad never had onions or chicken
    We served it with thin toasted
    pumpernickel bread buttered
    with partisan cheese and vinaigrette dressing.
    I am not criticising your recipe, simply I’m making a comment about the great Cobb salad.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 7, 2022

      Wow, how great is that, I bet that was quite the experience! I hope you try our version soon! Thank you for sharing your comment with me!

      Reply

    • Grammasue
      July 4, 2022

      Hi Tom! I just read your comment. That is certainly a work experience to remember. I hope he was nice to you. That was an enlightenment to me! I guess I always thought Cobb Salad had chicken and onion, too. I know know it doesn’t but will probably still add the onion ha! (we love them!) Thanks for sharing your comment with us all! Cheers!
      Gramasue

      Reply

      • Janice
        July 12, 2022

        Hello Natasha! I enjoy all of your recipes. I tend to get a little excited when I see a recipe that looks good, only to find out it’s one of yours. Then I now it will be delicious! This is a perfect busy week dinner. Thank you

        Reply

        • Natashas Kitchen
          July 12, 2022

          I agree, it is perfect for a busy week! Thank you for sharing your lovely feedback!

          Reply

    • f'real
      October 16, 2022

      Hey @tom, please make sure to go find all the cobb salad recipes on the internet so you can mansplain this must-have info to a broader audience.

      Reply

  • John
    April 24, 2022

    I made this Cobb Salad for the family last night and it is another restaurant quality recipe from NK. My wife and two teens said they loved it and wanted it made again. The vinaigrette is outstanding and so delicious over the roasted chicken and salad. Rotesserie’s from the grocery are ok in a pinch, but I roasted a whole chicken coated in EVOO with Provence de France seasoning, salt, pepper, and butter tabs tucked under the skin, and my goodness Natasha’s Cobb shames Zaxby’s. And it’s low carb! If you choose your balsamic carefully.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 24, 2022

      Hello John, thanks for sharing that with us. We appreciate your good comments and detailed feedback!

      Reply

  • Randy Whiteman
    April 2, 2022

    My wife and I love your blog, we love the fact that you and your husband are a team, we are looking forward to trying the Cobb salad today. Thank you hope you are going to do a cook book with these receipt’s as well

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      April 2, 2022

      Hi Randy, thank you for your support. So glad that you enjoy my blog. I hope you love this recipe as well. I am working on a cookbook, stay tuned for when we announce a release date.

      Reply

  • Richard Olsen
    March 22, 2022

    The nutrition value states the calories and other values PER SERVING. The recipe says it serves 4 people. Does this mean that I take the nutritional and MULTIPLY by four to determine the total calories and nutrion for the complete recipe? OR if I only made ¼ of the recipe, do I take the total calories and nutrional elements and DIVIDE by 4?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 23, 2022

      Hi Richard, yes that sounds right!

      Reply

  • Ramona McMillan King
    February 24, 2022

    I love cobb salad and excited to try to make my own at home! Thanks!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 24, 2022

      It is so good! I hope you love it, Ramona!

      Reply

  • Andrea
    February 6, 2022

    SO AMAZING!!!!! I didn’t want dinner to end 😊 The dressing really was the best, and the blue cheese just completely made the salad. We will be making this regularly!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 6, 2022

      Hello Andrea, that is awesome! Great to hear that you enjoyed your dinner.

      Reply

  • Margaret Clarke
    August 31, 2021

    I just love all your recipes, videos and sense of humour. It has become a competition between my friends to try each of your recipes and bring to our pot lucks. Keep these delicious recipes coming .👍

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 31, 2021

      AWW!! That’s so aweosme! I hope you win the competition!! Thank you for sharing this with me, Margaret! I’m smiling so big readying this right now!

      Reply

  • Dixie Carver
    July 7, 2021

    I made that avocado dressing/dip for 4th of July. Oh my gosh it was the hit of the day! I doubled the recipe and wished I had doubled that! It was so good! Thank you so much for posting it!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      July 8, 2021

      Hi Dixie, you are very welcome! I’m happy that it was a huge hit!

      Reply

    • Tommye Blair
      August 27, 2021

      What is the avocado dressing dip? I do not see it up above.

      Reply

      • Natashas Kitchen
        August 27, 2021

        Hi Tommye, you can find it on the printable recipe card. Click “Jump to recipe” at the top of the post and that will take you there!

        Reply

  • Lindsay
    July 6, 2021

    I have no idea how this got 5 stars! I found the dressing to be very bitter, needs sugar!

    Reply

  • Regina Getchell
    June 24, 2021

    Love this salad! I don’t like blue cheese so I put cheddar and blue cheese on the side. Big hit a party. Will make again, and again, and again.

    Mine did not look as nice as this but tasted delicious.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 24, 2021

      Hi Regina, I’m glad you enjoyed this salad. What’s important is that it tasted delicious, the presentation will be better next time!

      Reply

  • Eunice
    June 19, 2021

    I need the receipts of all this salads.
    .

    Reply

  • Carrie
    June 15, 2021

    Best dinner salad I’ve ever made! I used the rotisserie chicken as recommended. That made it both faster to make, but also more moist chicken than I could have made in the pan
    Yum!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 15, 2021

      You can’t beat moist chicken on a salad! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Carrie!

      Reply

  • Helen Pierce
    April 29, 2021

    Made this for dinner tonight, it was delicious! I used feta as I’m sensitive to blue cheese and threw a few pieces of cucumber on it as I had a little chunk in the fridge I wanted to use up. The dressing is divine and my hubby was impressed with how beautiful the presentation was!
    Love your your recipes…keep them coming!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 29, 2021

      Thank you for sharing this wonderful review with me, Helen! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Eleni
    April 26, 2021

    Which Balsamic vinegar do you use to make this dressing? Should I use a thicker or thinner one?
    Thanks!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      April 26, 2021

      Hi Eleni, there is either balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze. Make sure to get the thinner balsamic vinegar. I’ve used a variety of brands over the years. there’s a picture of the bottle of balsamic vinegar in this Beet Salad recipe.

      Reply

  • Margaret
    April 24, 2021

    There are a lot of recipes out on the web but yours are by far the best. I know when I use your recipe it will be as advertised.. thank you!!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 24, 2021

      Thank you for that wonderful compliment! I’m so glad you’re enjoying my recipes!

      Reply

  • dottie
    April 16, 2021

    love ur receipes,so easy to follow will u put out any cook books,, please do one soon

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 16, 2021

      I’m so glad you are enjoying my recipes, Dottie. I am already working on the cookbook, I promise to share it with you all when it’s finally ready!

      Reply

  • Maria lodge
    March 31, 2021

    I love your recipes….. I have tried many of them and enjoyed everyone…. you have a lovely family your children are adorable.
    I will be watching for my recipes and I will thank you in advance.
    I love your humor in the kitchen you make cooking fun!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 31, 2021

      Hello Maria, thank you for your kind words and good feedback. It helps inspire me to do better and create more videos and recipes. Thank you!

      Reply

  • Dawn
    March 19, 2021

    Another fantastic recipe Natasha. This is so delicious and easy

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 19, 2021

      I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!

      Reply

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