Grilled Balsamic Chicken Cobb Salad.
Loaded with herbed grilled chicken, sweet balsamic vinaigrette, lots of fresh greens, tomatoes, bacon, hard boiled eggs, avocado and a little cheese, this balsamic grilled chicken cobb salad is nothing short of awesome. Perfect for summer lunches, dinners or packed up and taken on the go.
It has taken me all week to realize this, but I’ve unintentionally shared a lot of salad recipes. First up was this potato salad, then this spicy corn salad, and now today’s fancy balsamic chicken cobb salad. Granted, these salads are all very, very different, but three salads in one week is a lot for me.
Maybe it has something to do with this LA vibe I’m currently soaking in right now? After all, LA is the land of all things salad and green juice. Oddly though, I’ve been eating a lot of pizza and tacos and have had zero salads. Unless you count the chopped salad from Monday night that included three different kinds of Italian meats and two pizzas…
It’s safe to say that once I return home very early tomorrow morning, I will be eating all things green, bright, and colorful. But first, I have one very full day left in LA. My first stop is to the set of Hallmark Home and Family to make these yummy strawberry shortcakes. Then straight from there I’ll be heading over to my book signing at Amber Interiors, where I’ll be making cocktails and signing away (hopefully…please come!). Then from there I’m off to the airport to catch the red-eye home. It’s going to be a very long day, but I am so excited for all that will be happening.
Well, I am not excited about the very late flight out, or the long drive home afterwards, but you got to do what you got to do, you know?
Anyway, moving right along here…
This salad!
It’s definitely going to be my first homemade recipe of the day tomorrow, and I’m already looking forward to it. Whenever I’m away, I always look so forward to coming home and getting back into the kitchen. As much as I love traveling and eating at new restaurants, there’s really nothing I love more than cooking myself up a dish full of all of my favorites.
It’s the homebody in me really shining through.
I actually made this salad a few weeks back, but have been waiting to share it until the weather had really decided to warm up for most of us. Because this is what I call the perfect, hearty summer salad.
You guys know me, if I’m doing a salad, I am making it big, bright, beautiful, and everything but boring. In fact, my goal is for you guys to never have to make another boring desk salad, because let’s be honest, eating a salad like that really is work.
Enter in this fun and delicious Cobb salad. It’s traditional, but with a good twist, and I kind of love every last detail about it.
The base of the salad is your traditional cobb salad, lots of greens (you can use your favorite!), fresh cherry tomatoes, crispy bacon, hard boiled eggs, and crumbled blue cheese.
It’s the balsamic grilled chicken that really makes this salad shine. Tossed with good amount of balsamic vinegar, a mix of Italian herbs, and fresh lemon, it’s the perfect herby chicken with a hint of sweet bitterness from the balsamic. It takes the average cobb salad up a notch.
I also threw in some avocado, because apparently I can’t make a salad without including avocado. I’d say sorry, but really I’m not. I love me some avocado…
Finished the salad off with a simple balsamic vinaigrette and done.
If you’re looking to save time on prep during the week, you can toss the chicken with the marinade and let it sit in the fridge for a of couple days. OR just grill the chicken on Sunday and refrigerate. Then you’ll have it on hand to throw the salad together in just a matter of minutes.
Also, if you wanted to add some form of carb to this meal (which you know I do), a sprinkling of quinoa, or torn up toasted bread, would both be extra delicious atop this salad. In fact, I’m really not sure why I didn’t do that…
You surely should.
If you make this balsamic grilled chicken cobb salad and love it, please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love hearing from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every one of you. Oh, and of course, if you do make this salad, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram so I can see! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Watch the How To Video:
Grilled Balsamic Chicken Cobb Salad from Half Baked Harvest on Vimeo.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Grilled Balsamic Chicken Cobb Salad
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken salad, easy recipe, meal prep
Loaded with marinated grilled chicken, sweet balsamic vinaigrette, lots of fresh greens, tomatoes, bacon, hard boiled eggs, avocado and a little cheese, this balsamic grilled chicken cobb salad is nothing short of awesome. Perfect for summer lunches, dinners or packed up and taken on the go.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped thyme
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped oregano
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest and juice
- Kosher salt and pepper
- 6 cups fresh greens, such as romaine
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved if large
- 4 ounces gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 6 strips crispy bacon, crumbled
- 4 hard boiled eggs, sliced
Balsamic Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- Kosher salt and pepper
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
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1. Add the chicken to a bowl and toss with the olive oil, thyme, oregano, dill, paprika, lemon zest and juice, and a pinch each of salt and pepper.
2. Preheat your grill, grill pan or cast iron skillet to medium high and brush the grates with oil.
3. Grill the chicken for 5-8 minutes per side or until the chicken is cooked through. Remove from the grill and let rest 5-10 minutes. Thinly slice the chicken.
4. In a large salad bowl, combine the greens, tomatoes, and gorgonzola. Top the salad with avocado, chicken, bacon, and eggs. Serve the salad alongside the balsamic vinaigrette (below).
BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE
-
1. In a glass jar, combine all ingredients and whisk or shake until combined. Taste, and adjust seasonings to your liking. Serve alongside the salad.
Never another boring salad. Never.
That really looks like my kind of salad! Abundant and delicious, thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much Maëva! I am so glad you like this!
This salad looks so delicious! I have a question on the recipe … in your intro you mention marinating the chicken in balsamic and the herbs, but the recipe doesn’t make any mention of balsamic except in the dressing. Additionally, I can’t see where you used the lemon that is listed in the ingredients. Help!
HI! So sorry for the confusion, the lemon is used on the chicken and the balsamic is just in the dressing. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
Mmmmmm! I love balsamic anything! That’s why this salad looks fantastic. Just in time for the warm weather. Can’t wait to try it.
Thank you Kristy!
Glad you’re enjoying LA! This salad looks absolutely delicious.
Thank you Natasha!
Book signing AND making cocktails sounds so fun. Any plans for one in Denver? The salad looks amazing!
Thank you Amanda!
What do you do with the lemon zest and juice?Also do you marinate the chicken for a length of time? Making it tonight! Thanks
HI! The lemon goes with the chicken. So sorry for the confusion. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
Hi Deb! The lemon zest and juice get added to the chicken. Recipe is all fixed, so sorry for the confusion. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
So excited about all those fresh herbs! Can’t wait to try the homemade balsamic vinaigrette too!!
Thank you Brittany!
Thanks for your article! I have read through some similar topics! However, your post has given me a very special impression, unlike other posts. I hope you continue to have valuable articles like this or more to share with everyone!
Thank you!
It was so nice to meet you at Amber Interiors this afternoon! What a great treat! I hope you enjoyed your LA trip and safe travels back home.
It was so fun meeting all of you as well! Thank you!
This looks great, does the lemon juice and zest go in the marinade? I am assuming so because most marinades will have some kind of acid.
HI! The lemon goes on the chicken. recipe is all fixed, sorry for the confusion. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
I made this for my husband tonight and it was the best salad we’ve ever eaten… no exaggeration! Thank you for another great recipe!
Thank you Jess!! So glad you loved this!
It was really like a salad that was sangant delicious and I can try
Tahnk you!
Help, Marinade for the chicken. We need to know how much balsamic and how long to marinate it. Love this salad…want to make it soon,
Hi! The balsamic is on only in the vinaigrette and there is no need to marinate the chicken. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
Delicious as usual! Made this tonight for Memorial Day and have lots left for the next couple days. Nice light salad for these warmer days.
Thank you Lynn! I am so glad you like this!
Oops forgot to give this a rating in my last comment….5 stars of course!
wow, this dish looks delicious, i will try it for my family to eat, thank you for sharing the way.
Thank you! I hope you love this!
wow, this dish looks delicious, i will try it for my family to eat, thank you for sharing the way.
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Thank you! I am happy you like this!
Hi. Looks great (like all your recipes), and we will be having this salad soon! Does using the lemon juice in the marinade make the chicken more tender? When marinading chicken i’ve Noticed it’s not as tender and juicy as in the restaurants.
Thanks!
HI! the lemon adds a nice citrus flavor and does also help to create a tender chicken! Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
I made a similar Cobb salad, but used grilled garlic shrimp instead, and I added some grilled red sweet peppers. And love the avacado, can’t omit that, but my dressing of choice this time was Red wine vinegar and EVOO, some Dijon and a hint of good quality honey, and I did in fact add some grilled bread, cubed, was outstanding, my wife loved it, Devoured every morsel
That sounds delicious! Thanks Joe!
this looks and sounds amazing. would you clarify the lemon zest and juice.
Is it 1 tbsp of zest and 1 tbsp of lemon juice?
thanks so much.
HI! Yes, it’s 1 tablespoon zest and juice. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
Recipe looks great and I’m trying it tonight, but I’m unsure about portions; does this amount serve two or four?
this will serve 4. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
I made this tonight for dinner with some friends. It was outstanding!! Thank you Tieghan!
I am so glad you and your guests enjoyed this Kathy! Thank you!
Had this for dinner earlier this week – this is definitely a keeper! The balsamic vinaigrette was delicous. Thank-you so much for the recipe.
Thank you Nancy!
Love salads, It’s taste good.
Thank you!
This perfect, keep sharing another recipes. Thanks
Thank you!
I made this today for a group lunch & it was a tremendous hit! I marinaded the chicken last evening & the flavors were so bright & refreshing. I will definitely make this again & again. I thought the photos were just lovely too. Thank you for posting this!
Thank you so much Amy! Also so glad you and your guests loved this!
This was delicious!!
I’ve made this 5 times already!
I am so glad you love it! Thank you Jakki!
This is my absolute favorite salad recipe and I’ve made it a few times since finding it on Pinterest. It’s flavorful, satiating, and surprisingly healthy. I plugged it in to My Fitness Pal and each serving only comes to 580 calories, and given the cheese, avocado, egg, and bacon it tastes way more indulgent. This is my go-to when converting friends who think a salad is a few leaves of iceberg lettuce and ranch dressing.
I am so glad you loved this salad Emily! Thank you so much!
A good Chicken dish should be juicy and full of aroma
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Thanks! xTieghan
I’ve made several of your recipes. all of them have been great. this one mixed the mark on the dressing… too much oil.
the ratio is off with the balsamic, definitely need more balsamic to the olive oil. i kept adding until it tasted right. I didnt measure but it seemed like a considerable amount.
I am sorry to hear that, Tiffany! Is there anything I can help with? xTieghan
Another great HBH salad! I didn’t have the fresh herbs for the chicken, but dried ones worked perfectly. The dressing was delicious, I will absolutely make it again and use it on salads regularly.
I am so glad this turned out so well for you, Blayre! Thank you for trying it! xTieghan
Delicious, thank you! One question – for the nutritional information, is the 589 kcal per serving? Thanks!
Hey Mona,
Yes that is correct. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan