In the world of salads, the Classic California Cobb Salad is an icon, a testament to the brilliance of simplicity. This salad is a mosaic of flavors and textures, featuring crisp lettuce, tender grilled chicken, creamy avocado, smoky bacon, and the sharp bite of blue cheese, all drizzled with a tangy vinaigrette. It’s a harmonious union of ingredients that defines the essence of California cuisine. So, join me in crafting this timeless masterpiece that celebrates the sun-soaked, laid-back vibes of the Golden State.
Ingredients (4 Servings):
- 8 cups chopped Romaine lettuce
- 2 cups grilled chicken breast, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1 cup diced red onion
- 1 cup diced avocado
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 4 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
- 8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
For the Vinaigrette:
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Optional Ingredients:
- Roasted corn kernels for a sweet twist
- Sliced black olives for a Mediterranean touch
- Grilled shrimp or salmon for a seafood twist
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 29g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Dietary Fiber: 5g
- Sugars: 4g
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Cholesterol: 235mg
- Sodium: 740mg
Nutritional Information (per ingredient, approximate):
- Romaine lettuce: 10 calories, 1g protein, 2g carbohydrates, 0g fat
- Grilled chicken breast: 120 calories, 26g protein, 2g fat
- Cherry tomatoes: 15 calories, 1g protein, 3g carbohydrates, 0g fat
- Cucumber: 10 calories, 1g protein, 2g carbohydrates, 0g fat
- Red onion: 10 calories, 0g protein, 2g carbohydrates, 0g fat
- Avocado: 80 calories, 1g protein, 4g carbohydrates, 7g fat
- Blue cheese: 100 calories, 6g protein, 8g fat
- Hard-boiled eggs: 70 calories, 6g protein, 5g fat
- Bacon: 45 calories, 3g protein, 3g fat
- Olive oil: 120 calories, 0g protein, 14g fat
- Red wine vinegar: 2 calories, 0g protein, 0g fat
- Dijon mustard: 5 calories, 0g protein, 0g fat
- Honey: 21 calories, 0g protein, 6g carbohydrates, 0g fat
Required Equipment:
- Grill (if not using pre-cooked chicken)
- Large salad bowl
- Whisk for the vinaigrette
- Cutting board and knife
- Salad spinner (optional, for washing lettuce)
- Pot for boiling eggs (if not using pre-boiled)
Instructions:
- If not using pre-cooked chicken, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and grill for about 6-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Let them rest for a few minutes before dicing.
- In a large salad bowl, arrange the chopped Romaine lettuce as the base.
- Create rows of grilled chicken, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red onion, diced avocado, crumbled blue cheese, sliced hard-boiled eggs, and crumbled bacon on top of the lettuce.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper to make the vinaigrette.
- Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.
- Gently toss the salad to coat all the ingredients with the dressing.
- Serve immediately, and optionally, garnish with additional blue cheese crumbles.
The Classic California Cobb Salad is a culinary ode to the laid-back, sun-kissed spirit of California. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that reminds us why simple ingredients, when paired thoughtfully, create timeless dishes worth savoring.
Classic California Cobb Salad
In the world of salads, the Classic California Cobb Salad is an icon, a testament to the brilliance of simplicity. This salad is a mosaic of flavors and textures, featuring crisp lettuce, tender grilled chicken, creamy avocado, smoky bacon, and the sharp bite of blue cheese, all drizzled with a tangy vinaigrette. It’s a harmonious union of ingredients that defines the essence of California cuisine. So, join me in crafting this timeless masterpiece that celebrates the sun-soaked, laid-back vibes of the Golden State.
- Prep Time: 25
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Calorie
Ingredients
Ingredients (4 Servings):
For the Vinaigrette:
Optional Ingredients:
Instructions
Instructions:
- If not using pre-cooked chicken, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and grill for about 6-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Let them rest for a few minutes before dicing.
- In a large salad bowl, arrange the chopped Romaine lettuce as the base.
- Create rows of grilled chicken, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red onion, diced avocado, crumbled blue cheese, sliced hard-boiled eggs, and crumbled bacon on top of the lettuce.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper to make the vinaigrette.
- Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.
- Gently toss the salad to coat all the ingredients with the dressing.
- Serve immediately, and optionally, garnish with additional blue cheese crumbles.
The Classic California Cobb Salad is a culinary ode to the laid-back, sun-kissed spirit of California. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that
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