Cobb Salad with Ranch Dressing
Why this recipe works
- Balanced texture: Crisp romaine and bacon contrast with tender chicken, creamy avocado and firm hard-boiled eggs.
- Fresh, creamy dressing: Greek yoghurt, lemon and herbs lighten the mayonnaise base and balance the richer toppings.
- Easy to prepare ahead: The chicken, eggs, bacon and dressing can be prepared separately, then assembled just before serving.
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Authenticity notes
- Composed presentation: Cobb salad is typically arranged in neat rows rather than tossed straight away, making each topping visible before serving.
- Ranch-style dressing: Creamy herb dressings are a natural fit for Cobb salad, complementing the bacon, chicken and egg without overwhelming the vegetables.
Make-ahead tips
- Keep components separate: Store the lettuce, cooked toppings and dressing separately so the romaine stays crisp.
- Prepare the cooked elements early: The eggs, chicken and bacon can be cooked ahead and chilled, ready to slice and assemble.
- Dress at the last moment: Add the ranch dressing just before eating to avoid softening the lettuce and avocado.
Texture tips
- Protect the crunch: Use well-drained lettuce and add the dressing only when ready to serve.
- Rest the chicken: Letting the chicken rest before slicing helps the juices settle, giving a cleaner cut and more tender texture.
- Choose firm ripe produce: Tomatoes and avocado should be ripe but not overly soft, so they hold their shape in the salad.
Ingredient notes
- Use fresh herbs where possible: Fresh chives and dill give the ranch dressing a brighter flavour than dried herbs.
- Adjust the lemon to taste: Add lemon gradually if you prefer a softer dressing, tasting before serving.
- Egg safety: For pregnant people, young children, older adults or anyone immunocompromised, use British Lion eggs and cook until fully set.
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Ingredients
Instructions
- Put the eggs in a saucepan, cover with cold water and bring to the boil. Reduce to a gentle simmer for 10 minutes, then drain and cool under cold running water until completely cool. Peel and set aside.
- Season the chicken with half the fine sea salt and a pinch of the black pepper. Cook in a frying pan over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
- In the same pan, cook the bacon over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes, turning, until crisp. Transfer to a board and break into bite-sized pieces.
- Make the ranch dressing: whisk the greek yogurt and mayonnaise in a bowl. Finely grate in the garlic, add the juice of the lemon, then stir in the chives and dill. Season with the remaining fine sea salt and black pepper to taste.
- Roughly chop the romaine lettuce and arrange on a platter or two plates. Slice the tomatoes, dice the avocado, and quarter the eggs. Arrange the chicken, bacon, eggs, avocado and tomato over the lettuce.
- Drizzle over the ranch dressing. Toss just before eating so the lettuce stays crisp.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For the neatest Cobb-style look, keep each topping in its own row and only toss at the table.
- If serving to pregnant people, young children, older adults, or anyone immunocompromised, use eggs stamped with the British Lion mark and cook until the yolks are fully set.
Substitutions
- Replace fresh dill with extra fresh chives for a milder, more oniony ranch dressing.
- Replace lemon with a smaller amount of lemon juice for a slightly softer acidity.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Store the salad components and dressing separately in airtight containers. Keep the avocado uncut until serving if possible; if already cut, press it against the surface of the dressing to limit browning. Reassemble and dress just before eating.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 2 servings
- Total time: 35min (30min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: American
-
Allergens:
Eggs Milk
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