Next Post
Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
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.
Grilled Balsamic Chicken Cobb Salad
Servings: 4 servings
Calories Per Serving: 965 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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
- 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.
Oops forgot to give this a rating in my last comment….5 stars of course!
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!
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! 🙂
It was really like a salad that was sangant delicious and I can try
Tahnk you!
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!
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! 🙂
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!
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!
So excited about all those fresh herbs! Can’t wait to try the homemade balsamic vinaigrette too!!
Thank you Brittany!
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! 🙂
Book signing AND making cocktails sounds so fun. Any plans for one in Denver? The salad looks amazing!
Thank you Amanda!
Glad you’re enjoying LA! This salad looks absolutely delicious.
Thank you Natasha!
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!
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! 🙂
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!