It’s no wonder the Cobb salad has stood the test of time since its accidental creation in 1937. This iconic salad, said to have been whipped up by Hollywood restaurateur Bob Cobb, is a celebration of flavour, texture, and simplicity. And now, it’s a staple you can enjoy any time.
This version of the Cobb salad brings everything you love about the original but keeps things easy and protein-packed with 34g of protein per serving. Tender rotisserie chicken, crispy bacon, creamy avocado, and tangy blue cheese are layered over fresh lettuce, topped with a zesty homemade dressing.
Perfect as a satisfying lunch or light dinner, it’s an American classic reimagined for busy days. And with such bold flavours, it’s a salad that truly feels like a treat.
Serve it as is or prepare ahead of time (just add the dressing later). Either way, this Cobb salad is a dish to look forward to.
What Is ‘Cobb Salad’?
The Cobb salad is believed to have been invented by Robert H. Cobb, the owner of the Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood, in the 1930s. The owner of the restaurant, was looking for a quick meal one night after the kitchen had already closed. In search of leftovers, he gathered ingredients from the fridge and combined them into a salad. The Cobb Salad remains a staple in American cuisine and continues to be popular not only in the United States but also in many parts of the world. What I love about this salad is that it’s protein-packed and bursting with flavour — the kind of meal that keeps you coming back for more.
Tips
- Keep the dressing separate if you’re prepping ahead — this keeps everything fresh and prevents sogginess.
- Cook bacon until really crispy, then let it cool completely before chopping. It adds the perfect crunch to balance the creamy avocado and cheese.
- Use pre-cooked chicken like rotisserie or leftovers to save time.
- Chop ingredients evenly so every bite has a little bit of everything — especially key in a chopped salad like this.
- Add the avocado just before serving if you’re meal prepping, to keep it from browning. A squeeze of lemon helps slow oxidation.
Swaps
Bacon: Swap for crispy chickpeas or smoked tofu for a veggie-friendly crunch.
Blue-Cheese: Not a fan of blue cheese? Try feta, goat cheese, cheddar, or mozzarella — all still creamy and flavourful.
Lettuce: Use romaine, baby spinach, little gem, or a mixed leaf salad — whatever is fresh and crisp.
Storage
This salad is great for meal prep, but a few simple tips will help keep everything fresh and delicious for days. First, keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to eat. This stops the lettuce from going soggy and keeps all the textures just right.
Fridge: Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge, and it’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days.
If you’re making it ahead, it’s best to leave out the avocado until just before serving. Avocado tends to brown quickly, so add it on the day you’re eating it. A little squeeze of lemon helps slow the browning if you need to prep it earlier.
Boiled eggs and bacon also do well when stored separately. This keeps the bacon crisp and the eggs from going rubbery. Just add them in when you’re ready to eat.
For lunchboxes, you can layer the salad in a jar or container — start with the sturdier ingredients like chicken, tomatoes, and cheese at the bottom, and place the lettuce on top. Then pour the dressing on just before serving. Easy, satisfying, and still full of crunch.
More Main Course Salads
Cobb Salad
Ingredients
- 1 rotisserie chicken breast already cooked
- 4 slices bacon
- 200 g cherry tomatoes
- 2 boiled eggs
- 50 g blue cheese
- 2 gem lettuce
- 2 tbsp chopped chives
- 1/2 avocado
Dressing
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 red wine vinager
- salt to taste
- 1 tsp mustard
- 1/2 tsp onion or garlic powder
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a pan until crispy then let them cool down completely.
- Chop all the ingredients: chicken, bacon, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, avocadoSlice each boiled egg in 4 pieces.
- Crumble the blue cheese. Finely chop the chive.
- In a small jar add all the dressing ingredients and mix.
- In a large salad bowl add the lettuce then the rest of the ingredients, for the best presentation layer all the ingredients.
- Once you are ready to serve pour the dressing an mix *