Hearty Chicken and Avocado Cobb Salad with Homemade Vinaigrette

1. Prep Ingredients

Start by prepping all your ingredients except for the chives and avocados. This step ensures everything is ready for smooth assembly later. Have everything organized and ready on the counter, including halved grape tomatoes, peeled and cubed hard-cooked eggs, and crumbled blue cheese.

2. Hard-cook Eggs

Hard-cook the eggs by placing them in a pot with water and bringing it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes. After that, transfer the eggs to an ice bath to cool before peeling and cutting them into cubes. Perfectly cooked eggs add a delightful texture to the salad.

3. Fry Bacon

Fry the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain it on paper towels and cut it into ¼-inch pieces. The crispiness of the bacon will add a wonderful crunch to your salad.

4. Cook Chicken

Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, and broil them until they are cooked through, turning once. This usually takes about 6-8 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the chicken. Make sure the chicken is white all the way through and the juices run clear. Juicy, flavorful chicken is essential for this hearty salad.

5. Prepare Vinaigrette

While the chicken is cooking, whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients in a bowl: olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, sugar, and pepper. Whisk until the dressing is emulsified and smooth, ensuring a perfect balance of flavors.

6. Arrange Greens

Arrange the romaine lettuce and watercress on a large platter. These greens will form the base of your salad, providing a fresh and crisp backdrop for the other ingredients.

7. Rest and Cut Chicken

Once the chicken is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before cutting it into bite-sized pieces. This helps the chicken retain its juices, making it more tender and flavorful.

8. Assemble Salad

Add the grape tomatoes, hard-cooked eggs, avocados, bacon, and blue cheese in neat rows on top of the greens. This classic Cobb salad presentation makes it visually appealing and ensures each bite is a perfect mix of ingredients.

9. Drizzle Vinaigrette

Drizzle the vinaigrette evenly over the salad, making sure each ingredient glistens lightly. This will ensure even flavor distribution, enhancing the taste of every bite.

10. Garnish and Serve

Finally, garnish the salad with minced fresh chives. The bright green specks add a fresh, aromatic finish to the dish.