Hearty Balsamic Chicken Cobb Salad

Made with juicy, balsamic chicken thighs, fresh greens, hard boiled eggs, creamy avocado, tomatoes, red onions, crispy bacon, blue cheese, and balsamic vinaigrette, this filling Balsamic Chicken Cobb Salad is anything but boring!

I remember the first time I heard about Cobb salads. Ten-year-old me was standing in line with my mom at the grocery store. This was before smartphones, so the magazines that lined the check out counter were my favorite pastime. I always reached for the tabloids, anxious to see what A-list celebrities were up to.

As I flipped through the latest issue of People magazine, I read a story about actress Jennifer Aniston’s go-to meal: Cobb salad. I had never tried the classic garden salad, and but it sounded quite similar to the hearty salads I was used to eating at home.

My mom’s salads always left you full until dinner! Loaded with spring mix, blackened kielbasa, hard boiled eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, and cheddar cheese, they were delicious.

As an adult, my salads are similar to the ones I enjoyed growing up. I love salads with tons of flavor and toppings, so this Cobb salad recipe is right up my alley. The balsamic chicken thighs and vinaigrette pack so much flavor into the salad, while the other components add crunch and creamy texture. What’s not to love?

how to make balsamic chicken Cobb salad

This tasty salad comes together in less than an hour!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Leafy Greens – Classic Cobb Salad includes romaine lettuce, but feel free to use the greens of your choice.

• Chicken – I love using roasted chicken thighs because they are super juicy and easy to make. Chicken breasts will also work well here.

• Hard boiled eggs – Achieving the perfect boiled egg is not always easy, but this method makes it simple.

• Bacon – Crispy oven roasted bacon adds a delicious smoky flavor to this cobb salad.

• Veggie toppings – Diced avocado, tomato, and red onion add a lot of texture and nutritional value to the dish.

• Cheese – Traditionally, Cobb salad is topped with blue cheese. Feel free to use other soft cheeses like feta or goat cheese.

• Balsamic Vinaigrette –  Store-bought balsamic vinaigrette is great for a quick lunch, but whipping up your own takes less than five minutes and tastes so good!

Feel free to make this recipe your own! You can really play with the ingredients to make the Balsamic Chicken Cobb Salad suit your tastes and dietary needs.

For more delicious and healthy recipes, check out this 5-Minute Nectarine Breakfast Yogurt Bowl and Creamy Watermelon Homemade Frozen Yogurt.

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