Cobb Salad Layered Ingredients (Print Page)

A vibrant dish with layered greens, chicken, bacon, avocado, tomatoes, eggs, and blue cheese with tangy vinaigrette.

# What You Need:

→ Salad Base

01 - 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
02 - 1 large head iceberg lettuce, chopped

→ Proteins

03 - 2 cooked chicken breasts (grilled or poached), diced
04 - 4 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
05 - 4 large eggs, hard-boiled, peeled, and quartered

→ Vegetables & Cheese

06 - 2 ripe avocados, peeled, pitted, and sliced
07 - 2 medium ripe tomatoes, diced
08 - 3.5 oz blue cheese, crumbled
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped

→ Dressing

10 - 4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
11 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
12 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
15 - 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

# Directions:

01 - Arrange chopped romaine and iceberg lettuce evenly in a large salad bowl or platter as the foundation.
02 - Place diced chicken, crisped bacon, quartered eggs, sliced avocado, diced tomatoes, and crumbled blue cheese in neat rows atop the lettuce base.
03 - Whisk red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper together in a small bowl. Slowly incorporate olive oil while whisking until the dressing emulsifies.
04 - Drizzle the vinaigrette evenly over the layered salad or serve on the side for individual preference.
05 - Sprinkle fresh chives over the top and serve immediately, allowing guests to toss or enjoy the presentation as is.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a complete meal in a bowl—protein, vegetables, healthy fats, and the kind of satisfaction that makes you feel nourished instead of deprived.
  • The layered presentation means you can eat it exactly how you want it, and it somehow tastes more elegant than the effort it took.
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, even if you're starting from scratch with hard-boiled eggs and bacon.
02 -
  • Don't dress the salad too early—the lettuce will wilt and the whole thing becomes sad and soggy within minutes, so timing matters more than you'd think.
  • The secret to a perfect Cobb is using a cold platter and cold ingredients; even a slightly warm plate will start breaking down the delicate balance of textures.
  • If your avocado is borderline, slice it and toss it in a tiny bit of lemon juice to prevent browning and add brightness.
03 -
  • If you're cooking the bacon and eggs the same day, do the bacon first, then use that fat-flavored water to cook the eggs—it adds a subtle richness nobody can quite identify but everyone enjoys.
  • Keep a small bowl of extra dressing on the side because someone will always want more, and it's nice to have that option without drowning the whole salad.
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