Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This salad combines the comfort of crispy fried or baked chicken with the freshness of a well-balanced Cobb. It’s filling, customizable, and full of textures—from crunchy lettuce to creamy avocado Whether you’re looking for a protein-rich salad or a new way to enjoy chicken tenders, this dish delivers big on flavor and satisfaction.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
crispy chicken tenders (homemade, baked, or store-bought)
romaine lettuce or mixed greens
hard-boiled eggs, halved or chopped
cherry tomatoes, halved
avocado, sliced or diced
blue cheese crumbles (optional)
red onion, thinly sliced
ranch, blue cheese, or honey mustard dressing
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
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Prepare the crispy chicken tenders according to your preference—bake, fry, or use pre-cooked. Let them cool slightly, then slice.
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In a large salad bowl or on a platter, arrange a bed of romaine lettuce or mixed greens.
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Neatly arrange sliced chicken, hard-boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes, avocado, blue cheese, and red onion over the greens.
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Season lightly with salt and pepper.
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Drizzle with your dressing of choice just before serving or serve it on the side.
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Toss if desired or serve composed for visual appeal.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 4 people.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 15–20 minutes (if making chicken tenders from scratch)
Total time: 35–40 minutes
Variations
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Grilled Chicken: Substitute crispy chicken with grilled for a lighter version.
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Spicy Kick: Use spicy chicken tenders or add jalapeños for heat.
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Southwest Style: Add black beans, corn, and swap blue cheese for shredded cheddar.
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Low-Carb: Skip the croutons or breaded chicken and increase the eggs and avocado.
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Vegetarian: Use crispy tofu or chickpeas in place of chicken .
Storage/Reheating
Store all components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat the chicken tenders in the oven or air fryer to restore crispiness.
Assemble just before serving to keep greens and toppings fresh and crisp.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought chicken tenders?
Yes, pre-cooked frozen or deli-style chicken tenders work great and save time.
What type of lettuce is best?
Romaine is ideal for crunch, but you can also use mixed greens, butter lettuce, or iceberg.
How do I keep the avocado from browning?
Slice the avocado just before serving, or brush with lemon juice to prevent browning.
Can I prepare this salad in advance?
Yes, prep all components ahead, but store separately and assemble when ready to eat.
What dressing works best?
Ranch, blue cheese, and honey mustard are all excellent options, depending on your preference.
Is this salad gluten-free?
It can be—just ensure your chicken tenders and dressing are gluten-free.
Can I use rotisserie chicken instead?
Yes, though it won’t be crispy, it still tastes great and adds convenience.
What cheese can I use besides blue cheese?
Feta, goat cheese, or shredded cheddar are great alternatives.
Are the eggs necessary?
They’re classic in Cobb salad, but you can omit them if preferred or replace with another protein like chickpeas.
Conclusion
Crispy chicken Cobb salad is the perfect balance of indulgent and fresh, with crunchy chicken, crisp veggies, creamy toppings, . It’s a crowd-pleasing salad that feels like a full meal and is endlessly customizable to suit your tastes. Whether you’re meal prepping or feeding the family, this salad brings bold flavor and satisfying crunch to your table.

Crispy Chicken Cobb Salad
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad, Main Course
- Method: No-Cook (or Baking/Frying for chicken)
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Crispy chicken Cobb salad is a hearty and flavorful spin on the classic Cobb, featuring crunchy chicken tenders, crisp greens, creamy avocado, and a variety of fresh toppings. Perfect as a filling lunch or dinner, it’s satisfying, customizable, and meal-prep friendly.
Ingredients
- 4 crispy chicken tenders (homemade, baked, or store-bought)
- 6 cups romaine lettuce or mixed greens
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, halved or chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 avocado, sliced or diced
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles (optional)
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup ranch, blue cheese, or honey mustard dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare crispy chicken tenders according to preference—bake, fry, or use store-bought. Let cool slightly, then slice into strips.
- On a large platter or in a salad bowl, layer the romaine lettuce or mixed greens.
- Neatly arrange sliced chicken, hard-boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes, avocado, blue cheese (if using), and red onion over the greens.
- Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Drizzle with dressing of choice just before serving or serve it on the side.
- Serve as a composed salad or toss gently before serving, if preferred.
Notes
Use spicy chicken tenders or add jalapeños for a kick.For a lighter version, substitute grilled chicken for crispy tenders.Replace blue cheese with feta, goat cheese, or cheddar if desired.Keep components stored separately and assemble when ready to eat.Brush avocado with lemon juice to prevent browning if prepping ahead.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 195mg