Ah, the Cobb Salad—it’s like a delightful medley of textures and flavors that dance together in perfect harmony. Imagine crispy bacon bits mingling with creamy avocado, while chunks of chicken and tangy blue cheese add a rich touch. It’s a classic, yet surprisingly simple dish that’s become my go-to for meal prep, especially when life’s unpredictable chaos demands a quick, satisfying bite.
Steps
- Begin by cooking the bacon and chicken. Slice the bacon into thin strips and cook in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Once done, remove the bacon and let it drain on paper towels.
- Season the chicken breast with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. In the same skillet, add avocado oil and cook the chicken for 4-6 minutes on each side until fully cooked. Allow the chicken to cool before slicing it thinly.
- While the chicken and bacon are cooking, prepare the vegetables and hard-boil the eggs. Chop the lettuce, dice the tomatoes and cucumber, and prepare the avocado.
- Assemble each salad in individual meal prep containers. Start with a base of lettuce, then layer on the diced vegetables, avocado, hard-boiled egg, bacon, and sliced chicken. Store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to enjoy your meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
- ½ tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 5 strips bacon, cooked and sliced into thin strips
- 4 cups romaine lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
- 1–2 avocados, diced
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 3 hard boiled eggs
- Salad dressing, for serving
FAQ
- Can I make this Cobb Salad ahead of time?
- Yes, this Cobb Salad is perfect for meal prep. Once you prepare all the ingredients, you can store them in airtight containers and keep them in the fridge. It’s best to add the dressing right before eating to keep the salad fresh.
- What are some suitable dressings for Cobb Salad?
- A lemon-herb tahini dressing is a great option as it provides a tangy flavor similar to traditional blue cheese dressing. Alternatively, a jalapeño ranch dressing that is dairy-free can also be a delicious choice.
- How can I ensure my salad stays fresh throughout the week?
- Use airtight containers like the Ello DuraGlass Meal Prep Set to store your salads. These containers have a secure snap-on lid to maintain freshness and prevent your salad from becoming limp.
- What can I substitute if I don’t have avocado oil for cooking the chicken?
- If you don’t have avocado oil, coconut oil or any other cooking oil with a high smoke point can be used to cook the chicken breast without compromising flavor.
- Are there any additional ingredients I can add to this salad for variety?
- Feel free to add other veggies you enjoy, such as bell peppers or red onion, or even sprinkle some nuts or seeds for extra crunch and nutrition.
Tips
- To ensure your salads stay fresh, wait to add the dressing until right before eating. This prevents the greens from becoming soggy and keeps the salad crisp.
- When preparing the chicken, use the same pan that you cooked the bacon in. This not only saves on cleaning but also infuses the chicken with additional flavor from the bacon drippings.
- Utilizing airtight meal prep containers, such as Ello DuraGlass, can help maintain the freshness of your salads throughout the week by preventing air exposure.
- For a tangy alternative to the traditional blue cheese dressing, try a lemon-herb tahini dressing or a dairy-free jalapeño ranch to complement the flavors of your cobb salad.
Equipment
- Skillet – For cooking bacon and chicken.
- Ello DuraGlass Meal Prep Containers – Specifically mentioned in the recipe for storing the salads.
- Silicone Sleeves – For the meal prep containers, if not included.
- Avocado Oil – Used for cooking the chicken.
- Salad Dressing Container – If you need a separate container for storing salad dressing to add later.
- Egg Cooker – For making hard boiled eggs, if you prefer not to boil them on the stove.
