The Best Cobb Salad Recipe - One Sweet Appetite

This easy Chicken Cobb Salad is loaded with delicious ingredients. Chicken, bacon, tomatoes, and hard boiled eggs give you a great base along with a creamy and delicious dressing. Loaded with goodness and the perfect meal-prep recipe.

Looking for more tasty salad recipes? Check out our list of over 15 Delicious Salads.

close up of cobb salad with ingredients laid in rows on top of bowl of lettuce

Recipe Features

Make-Ahead: You can make this salad up to five days in advance, without the dressing!
Meal-Prep: Ideal for a meal-prep recipe. It’s filling and delicious.
Healthy Weeknight Dinner: Packed with all of the good stuff, this recipe is a great healthy dinner option.

This is easily the best cobb salad. First of all, it is so stinken easy to make. It also is packed with delicious flavor which means you will want to eat it ALL OF THE TIME. It’s got a good dose of protein with the eggs, chicken, bacon, and avocado which means you will stay full longer.

In other words, this is the PERFECT quick and easy dinner recipe.

salad ingredients laid out on a table top

Cobb Salad Ingredients

I like to think of this recipe as a hearty and filling “dinner salad.” It has so many protein packed ingredients that it is sure to keep you full for hours.

Loaded with crispy chicken pieces, crispy bacon bits, creamy avocado, tomatoes, hard boiled eggs, and sliced onion. You just cannot resist this flavor packed salad recipe. Here is what you need to get started:

Romaine Lettuce: Romaine is my go-to. It’s crisp and fresh. The perfect base for a mountain of toppings.
Eggs- Hard boiled to perfection and sliced.
Bacon- Cooked and crumbled.
Avocado: The secret to picking a ripe avocado? Hold it in your hand and give it a gentle squeeze. If it gives slightly, it’s ripe.
Tomato: I have been loving Campari tomatoes lately. They seem to be ripe all year round and full of flavor.
Red Onion: optional, but a delicious addition.
Crispy or Grilled Chicken: We’re LOVING air fryer chicken lately, and the Just Bare chicken wins by-far.
Dressing

Dressing Options

The original dressing option for a cobb salad uses a vinegar base. While delicious, we opt for the very American option of Ranch Dressing. It’s just too good not to use and blends all of the flavors together amazingly. Here are some other great options:

Vinegar Based Dressing
Homemade Ranch (we are big fans of the pre-made packets)
Strawberry Champagne Vinaigrette
Apple Vinaigrette
Simple Balsamic

salad ingredients layered on top of a bowl of lettuce

How to make a Chicken Cobb Salad

Cook the chicken OR slice if pre-cooked.
Wash and chop the lettuce. Add to a bowl.
Top with chopped chicken, tomatoes, bacon, avocado, boiled eggs, and red onion.
Toss to combine.
Drizzle with dressing of choice. Toss again.
Serve immediately.

lettuce inside a ziptop bag with a paper towel

Salad Tips and FAQs

What is a cobb salad?

A cobb salad is an American recipe that is made with chopped greens, tomato, bacon, chicken, eggs, avocado and typically served with a vinegar based dressing. Although, we prefer ranch dressing with this dish.

What is the difference between a cobb salad and a chef salad?

While similar, a chef salad has the addition of chopped ham and lacks avocado and tomatoes.

Can I make a cobb salad ahead?

Yes! You can make this salad up to 5 days in advance, leaving the dressing on the side until ready to use. Keep stored covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

How do you keep salad crisp?

Here’s my secret: Wash the lettuce, chop, and keep stored in an airtight container with a paper towel. The paper towel soaks up extra moisture which keeps the lettuce nice and crisp until you are ready to use.