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Remember those days when a salad felt like diet punishment? This ain’t that. This single serving Cobb salad recipe is a flavor fiesta packed with juicy chicken, crispy bacon, creamy avocado, and tangy blue cheese – all perched atop a bed of fresh greens. It’s a hearty, satisfying meal in a bowl, perfect for lunch, dinner, or anytime cravings strike.
A Cobb Salad, hearty and satisfying on its own, pairs wonderfully with additional dishes. Consider complementing it with a crusty slice of French bread, enjoy it alongside a steaming bowl of Chicken Tortellini Soup, and finish your meal with a delightful dessert – either a refreshing small bowl of Ambrosia or a sweet, tangy scoop of Mango Sorbet.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Ready in minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re short on time but craving something satisfying.
- Packed with Flavor: Every bite bursts with contrasting textures and tastes – crispy, creamy, savory, and tangy – making it an explosion for your taste buds.
- Customizable: Don’t have blue cheese? Swap it for feta! No avocado? Add some sliced cucumber! This recipe is all about using what you have and making it your own.
- Single Serving Perfection: No need to worry about leftovers! This portion is just right for one, satisfying your hunger without overindulging.
- Nutrition Powerhouse: Loaded with protein, healthy fats, and vitamins from the greens and veggies, this salad keeps you feeling energized and nourished.
What Is A Cobb Salad?
The story goes that this salad was born in the late 1920s or early 1930s, either whipped up by a chef at a swanky L.A. restaurant or thrown together by the owner himself from late-night fridge leftovers. Regardless of its origin, the Cobb salad has become a classic for a reason: it’s simple, versatile, and oh-so-delicious.
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Check out our other Single Serving Salad ideas!
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this Cobb salad recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Salad Greens: Use 2 cups of chopped Romaine or Iceberg lettuce for a crisp base.
- Blue Cheese: Traditional Cobb salads use this cheese, but feel free to substitute with gorgonzola or Roquefort for a different twist. If you’ve got extra blue cheese, consider using it to make a small batch of Blue Cheese Dressing or add it to Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos.
- Bacon: Consider cooking the bacon ahead and storing it in the fridge to save time. Got extra bacon? Use it in Crack Chicken, a Frittata, or Pasta Carbonara.
- Hard-Boiled Egg: Prepare up to several days in advance and refrigerate. You’ll need just one for this recipe, but extra hard-boiled eggs are handy snacks. Consider using leftover hard-boiled eggs to make a small batch of Loaded Deviled Eggs.
- Tomatoes: Use 1 small tomato or a handful of cherry/grape tomatoes.
- Chicken: Cook and chill beforehand. Alternatively, use a store-bought rotisserie chicken. For a quick cooking method, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, cook for 4 minutes on one side, flip, and cook for another 4-5 minutes until done.
- Avocado: Slice right before assembling the salad to prevent browning. If you’ve got extra avocados, use one to make a small batch of Guacamole.
Cobb Salad Dressing Ingredients
- Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is my go-to choice for its superior quality and rich flavor, making it perfect for this Cobb salad dressing. It’s less processed, retaining more of the olive’s natural taste and nutrients. While I prefer extra virgin for its robust flavor, you can opt for a lighter olive oil if you prefer a milder taste.
- Red Wine Vinegar and Lemon Juice: These ingredients are key for adding a zesty tang to your dressing, balancing the flavors beautifully.
- Worcestershire Sauce and Garlic Powder: These two add depth and a burst of savory goodness to the dressing, elevating the overall taste.
Optional: Add croutons for extra crunch.
Recipe Variations
- Spicy Southwest Cobb: Add a pinch of chili powder and cumin to the chicken seasoning, top with chopped cilantro and salsa instead of dressing.
- Mediterranean Cobb: Swap the blue cheese for crumbled feta, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and add chopped Kalamata olives and sun-dried tomatoes.
- BBQ Cobb: Toss the chicken with BBQ sauce, add shredded Cheddar cheese and pickled onions for a fun twist.
- California Cobb: Ditch the blue cheese and bacon, add baked shrimp or baked salmon, avocado slices, and a creamy avocado dressing for a lighter, west coast vibe.
- Breakfast Cobb: Swap the chicken for scrambled eggs, add crumbled sausage, diced ham, and top with a drizzle of hot sauce for a satisfying brunch option.
Expert Tips
- Prep Ahead: Boil the egg and cook the bacon in advance to save time.
- Dressing: Make your red wine vinaigrette or choose a store-bought one for convenience.
- Balance Flavors: Adjust the amount of blue cheese to suit your taste.
- Freshness: Use fresh, quality ingredients for the best flavor and texture.
- Serving: Serve immediately after assembling to maintain the crispness of the greens.
Frequently Asked Questions
While Cobb and Chef’s salads are similar, they’re not the same. The key difference lies in the preparation: a Cobb salad features chopped ingredients, whereas a Chef’s salad typically has larger, unchopped pieces. Additionally, Chef’s salads often include diced ham or other meats. For dressing, a Cobb salad usually has a tangy vinaigrette, contrasting with the ranch or blue cheese dressing often found on a Chef’s salad.
To ensure your hard-boiled eggs peel easily, follow these steps: Place the eggs in a small saucepan and cover them with about 1 inch of water. Bring the water to a boil on high heat. Once boiling, turn off the heat but leave the pan on the burner, covering it for 12 minutes. Then, use a slotted spoon to transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water and let them cool for 4-5 minutes. The shell should peel off effortlessly.
Absolutely! You can assemble the salad and prepare the dressing a few hours ahead of time. Keep them separate and covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to enjoy your salad.
Blue cheese, specifically Roquefort, is traditional in a Cobb salad, but gorgonzola is a great alternative. If blue cheese isn’t to your taste, crumbled feta cheese is a suitable substitute that still complements the salad’s flavors.
A classic vinaigrette is the go-to dressing for a Cobb salad. We recommend trying our single serving vinaigrette recipe. However, if you prefer, ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing can also pair well with this salad.
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Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you would like additional information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page. For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
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Cobb Salad For One
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped romaine or Iceberg lettuce
- 2 tablespoons blue cheese crumbles
- 2 slices cooked bacon , crumbled
- 1 large hard boiled egg , peeled and chopped
- 1 small tomato , chopped
- 1 (4-ounce) cooked boneless skinless chicken breast , chopped
- ½ small avocado chopped
For The Vinaigrette
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- ⅛ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Arrange the lettuce over a large plate. Top with the blue cheese, bacon, egg, tomato, chicken, and avocado.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder. Drizzle over the salad and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Prep Ahead: Boil the egg and cook the bacon in advance to save time.
- Dressing: Make your red wine vinaigrette or choose a store-bought one for convenience.
- Balance Flavors: Adjust the amount of blue cheese to suit your taste buds.
- Freshness: Use fresh, quality ingredients for the best flavor and texture.
- Serving: Serve immediately after assembling to maintain the crispness of the greens.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Love this salad. Will double the dressing recipe. Actually it’s two salads for me.
Thanks 😊
A great light dinner although I leave out the avocado if there aren’t any good ones at the grocery and it is still very tasty.
This is fabulous. I live alone so I try to have my veggies cut up in the fridge, hard boiled eggs and shredded chicken and this would come together quickly. Air Fry the bacon and that would go within a week as well.
This looks so light, bright and yummy!
Thank you, Melissa!