Cobb Salad with Balsamic Shallot Vinaigrette

A classic Cobb salad featuring chicken, avocado, bacon, eggs, and blue cheese, topped with a homemade balsamic shallot vinaigrette. This hearty main-course salad combines fresh ingredients arranged in attractive rows over crisp romaine lettuce.

4 servings
40 min

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons minced shallots
  • 2 pieces skinless boneless chicken breast halves
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 hearts romaine lettuce
  • 2 large tomatoes
  • 2 whole avocados
  • 8 strips turkey bacon
  • 2 whole hard-boiled eggs
  • 1 cup reduced-fat blue cheese

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    1 To make the vinaigrette, combine the vinegar, salt, and pepper in a blender. With the machine running, gradually add the oil. Add the shallots and pulse briefly to combine. Pour into a serving bowl and set aside.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    2 Pound each chicken breast half between 2 heavy duty plastic bags with a flat meat pounder to an even 1/2-inch thickness. Season with the salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add the chicken and cook, turning halfway through cooking, until golden brown on both sides, about 6 minutes. Add 1/4 cup water, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cover. Simmer until the chicken feels firm when pressed in the center, about 8 minutes. Uncover, increase the heat to high, and cook until the liquid is evaporated and the chicken is sizzling, about 1 minute. Transfer chicken to a carving board and let cool. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

    25 min

  3. 3.

    3 Spread the lettuce on a large platter. Top with the chicken, tomatoes, avocados, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, and blue cheese arranged in rows. Serve immediately, with the vinaigrette passed on the side.

    10 min

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