Cobb Salad

Instructions

1. 1

   Cook the Protein and Eggs (Approx. 20 minutes)

   • For the eggs: Place 4 eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water by 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil, then immediately cover the pan, remove from heat, and let stand for 10-12 minutes. Transfer eggs to an ice bath for 5 minutes to stop the cooking process, then peel and chop.
   • For the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F or 74°C). Let rest for 10 minutes before dicing.
   • For the bacon: While the chicken cooks, place bacon slices in a separate cold skillet. Cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, then crumble or chop.
2. 2

   Prepare the Vinaigrette (Approx. 3 minutes)

   • In a small bowl or a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the remaining 8 tbsp olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper.
   • Whisk or shake vigorously until the dressing is well-combined and emulsified. Set aside.
3. 3

   Prepare Fresh Ingredients (Approx. 7 minutes)

   • Wash and thoroughly dry the romaine lettuce, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
   • Dice the Roma tomatoes.
   • Just before assembling, peel, pit, and dice the avocados to prevent them from browning.
4. 4

   Assemble the Salad (Approx. 5 minutes)

   • On a large platter or in four individual bowls, create an even bed of the chopped romaine lettuce.
   • Arrange the diced chicken, crumbled bacon, chopped eggs, diced tomatoes, and diced avocado in distinct, parallel rows over the lettuce.
   • Sprinkle the crumbled blue cheese and freshly chopped chives evenly over the top of the salad.
5. 5

   Serve Immediately

   • Serve the salad immediately with the prepared red wine vinaigrette on the side, allowing each person to dress their own portion to their liking.