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A vibrant, close-up view of a classic Chicken Cobb Salad in a bowl, featuring grilled chicken, bacon, eggs, tomatoes, corn, cheese, and a creamy dressing.
Reda

Ultimate Chicken Cobb Salad

A vibrant and satisfying main-course salad, featuring perfectly seasoned air-fried chicken, crispy bacon, creamy avocado, and a tangy red wine vinaigrette. This ultimate Chicken Cobb Salad is a complete meal, easy to assemble and packed with flavor and texture.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: lunch, Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 720

Ingredients
  

For the Seasoned Chicken
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 2-3 breasts
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
For the Red Wine Vinaigrette
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 clove garlic finely minced
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
For the Salad Assembly
  • 8 strips bacon
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 large head romaine lettuce washed and chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 large avocado peeled, pitted, and diced
  • 1/2 red onion thinly sliced
  • 4 oz blue cheese crumbled

Equipment

  • Large Salad Bowl or Platter
  • Air Fryer
  • Skillet
  • Small saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Small Jar with Lid

Method
 

Prepare the Core Ingredients
  1. Cook the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry. In a bowl, toss them with 1 tbsp olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Place the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 380°F (190°C) for 18-22 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before dicing.
  2. Cook the Bacon: While the chicken cooks, place the bacon strips in a cold skillet over medium heat. Cook, flipping occasionally, for 8-10 minutes or until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, then crumble or chop once cooled.
  3. Hard-Boil the Eggs: Place the eggs in a small saucepan and cover with cold water by 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, turn off the heat, cover the pan, and let the eggs sit for 10-12 minutes. Transfer the eggs to an ice bath to cool completely before peeling and dicing.
Make the Vinaigrette
  1. In a small jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Shake vigorously until the dressing is well-emulsified. Alternatively, whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl.
Assemble the Salad
  1. Spread the chopped romaine lettuce evenly over a large platter or in a large salad bowl.
  2. Arrange the diced chicken, crumbled bacon, diced hard-boiled eggs, halved cherry tomatoes, diced avocado, sliced red onion, and crumbled blue cheese in distinct rows over the bed of lettuce.
  3. Serve immediately, drizzling the red wine vinaigrette over the top just before serving, or serve the dressing on the side.

Notes

Meal Prep Tip: Cook the chicken, bacon, and eggs ahead of time and store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Chop the veggies and assemble the salad just before serving to maintain freshness. Chicken Alternative: If you don't have an air fryer, you can pan-sear the chicken in a skillet over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes per side. Cheese Swap: If you're not a fan of blue cheese, feel free to substitute with feta, goat cheese, or shredded cheddar.