A classic cobb salad recipe for the perfect flavor-packed lunch. This homemade cobb salad is packed with protein from the crispy chicken to the hard-boiled eggs, accompanied by a variety of veggies and, of course, lots of cheese! All of these flavors come together with a drizzle of homemade ranch dressing, making this cobb salad the best salad from scratch. 

A large salad bowl with the cobb salad arranged in it.

What Makes a Classic Cobb Salad?

A classic Cobb salad recipe is known for its rows of fresh toppings layered over crisp romaine lettuce. This salad is traditionally made with chicken, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, avocado, blue cheese, and dressing. This hearty American salad is both filling and packed with flavor, making for a stunning dish. 

Why You Should Make this Cobb Salad

Here’s why this recipe will become your new favorite salad: 

  • Customizable. When making a Cobb salad at home, the ingredients are customizable! Whether you don’t love something on your salad or want to use up veggies in your fridge, the toppings in this salad are up to you!
  • Impressive salad. When hosting, a simple salad doesn’t always cut it! This Cobb salad is great for presentation and always a crowd-pleaser. 
  • Perfect for meal prep. This easy cobb salad recipe is great for meal prep, with the dressing on the side. 
  • Healthier option. A homemade Cobb salad tastes fresher and more flavorful than any prepackaged salad.
A salad bowl with the classic cobb salad drizzled with ranch dressing.

Ingredients for Cobb Salad Recipe

Make a classic American salad with a variety of fresh ingredients: 

  • Chicken – crispy chicken tenders add crunch and make this chicken cobb salad extra hearty. It doesn’t get better than our homemade buttermilk chicken tenders. 
  • Lettuce – fresh romaine lettuce is the classic base for the original Cobb salad, though mixed greens also work well.
  • Bacon – crispy bacon bits add the perfect crunch and extra protein. 
  • Eggs – Hard-boiled eggs are a must-have in a cobb salad. 
  • Vegetables – garnish the salad with avocado, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, and sliced red onion for a variety of textures and flavors. 
  • Cheeses – we love the mix of shredded cheddar cheese and blue cheese crumble.
  • Croutons – add the perfect crunch and are a must for a hearty Cobb salad. 
  • Classic dressing – drizzle with your favorite dressing; we use ranch dressing. 

See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and quantities.

Chicken Cobb Salad Variations 

Play around with the toppings and dressing to make this salad your own! Here are some great swaps to make: 

  • Protein: Our cobb salad features crispy chicken and bacon, but you can also use sliced deli meat like ham or turkey, or use steak and even shrimp!
  • Vegetarian cobb salad: Skip the meat altogether and make a classic vegetarian cobb salad. 
  • Dressing: Though ranch dressing is a classic, you don’t have to stop there! Our creamy avocado ranch dressing is a twist on the classic. 
A chicken cobb salad drizzled with homemade ranch dressing.

Valentina’s Tips for the Perfect Cobb Salad 

  • Presentation is key. A cobb salad is well known for its unique presentation of all fo the ingredients separately. Arranging the toppings separately gives the salad its signature look and beautifully showcases every ingredient.
  • Don’t skip the homemade dressing. Of course, store-bought is easier, but the homemade ranch dressing truly takes this salad to the next level. Plus, making ranch from scratch is much easier than you would think. 

How to Make Cobb Salad from Scratch 

  1. Make chicken tenders. Our easy step-by-step chicken tender recipe makes the perfect protein for this salad. 
  2. Assemble salad. To a salad bowl, add romaine lettuce leaves. Top with remaining salad ingredients, arranging as you like. 
  3. Dressing. Drizzle the salad with ranch dressing, serve, and enjoy! 
A salad bowl packed with cobb salad toppings.

Serving Suggestions

Storing Cobb Salad (Make-Ahead Tips)

  • Storage. Keep leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. 
  • Make-ahead. If making this salad for meal prep, store the salad undressed. This way, it will stay fresh for up to 2 days. 
A loaded cobb salad with homemade chicken tenders and a variety of toppings.

More Salad Recipes

If you enjoyed this cobb recipe, be sure to try our other easy salad recipes; here are some of our favorites:

If you tried this easy cobb salad recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below – we appreciate it!

Classic Cobb Salad Recipe (With Homemade Dressing)

Author: Valentina Ablaev
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5 from 4 votes
A classic cobb salad recipe is packed with flavor and comes together with little effort. This fresh salad is loaded with crispy chicken, crispy bacon, and crisp vegetables for the perfect balance of texture and flavor. Finished with a homemade ranch dressing, this salad is proof that homemade really is best.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Prepare your homemade chicken tenders and set aside to cool. You don’t want your tenders piping hot, as that will make the salad soggy.
  • To a large platter, add romaine lettuce and top with the remaining salad ingredients. (The presentation is up to you, but I think it looks best when the toppings are all arranged separately and tossed right before serving.)
  • Drizzle the salad with homemade ranch dressing and serve.

Notes

  • Presentation matters. A classic Cobb salad is known for its beautiful presentation, with all of the ingredients arranged separately to showcase every delicious topping.
  • Don’t skip the homemade dressing. While store-bought ranch is convenient, homemade buttermilk ranch adds a lot of fresh flavor and really takes this salad to the next level. Plus, it’s easier to make than you might think!
  • Storage. Store leftover dressed salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
  • Make ahead. If preparing the salad for meal prep, keep the dressing separate until ready to serve. This helps the salad stay fresh for up to 2 days.

Nutrition

928kcal Calories16g Carbs81g Protein58g Fat19g Saturated Fat381mg Cholesterol900mg Sodium1318mg Potassium5g Fiber5g Sugar1515IU Vitamin A20mg Vitamin C250mg Calcium5mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Classic Cobb Salad Recipe (With Homemade Dressing)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 928 Calories from Fat 522
% Daily Value*
Fat 58g89%
Saturated Fat 19g119%
Cholesterol 381mg127%
Sodium 900mg39%
Potassium 1318mg38%
Carbohydrates 16g5%
Fiber 5g21%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 81g162%
Vitamin A 1515IU30%
Vitamin C 20mg24%
Calcium 250mg25%
Iron 5mg28%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American