Earl's Cobb Salad from Earl of Sandwich features fresh mixed greens topped with grilled chicken, crispy bacon, ripe avocado, hard-boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes, and crumbled blue cheese, all tossed in a zesty vinaigrette, offering a colorful and flavorful combination of textures and tastes.
Equipments
- Chef's knife
- Cutting board
- Salad spinner (or colander)
- Mixing bowls
- Tongs
- Frying pan (for bacon)
- Saucepan (for boiling eggs)
- Grill pan or grill (for chicken)
- Whisk (for vinaigrette)
- Serving platter or salad bowls
Ingredients
- Fresh mixed greens
- Grilled chicken breast
- Crispy bacon
- Ripe avocado
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Cherry tomatoes
- Crumbled blue cheese
- Olive oil
- Red wine vinegar
- Dijon mustard
- Honey
- Salt
- Black pepper
Fresh mixed greens should be properly rinsed and spun dry to prevent a soggy salad base. Grilled chicken breast requires careful seasoning and cooking to maintain tenderness and enhance flavor. Use ripe avocado for creamy texture, but add it just before serving to avoid browning. Hard-boiled eggs need to be peeled and sliced evenly for consistent presentation. You can replicate the distinctive taste and vibrant look of Earl's Cobb Salad from Earl of Sandwich with these key ingredient tips and simple preparation steps.
Instructions
- Wash and dry the mixed greens using a salad spinner or colander.
- Grill the chicken breast until fully cooked, then slice.
- Cook the bacon in a frying pan until crispy, then chop.
- Boil the eggs in a saucepan, cool, peel, and quarter.
- Halve or quarter the cherry tomatoes.
- Slice the ripe avocado.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper to make the vinaigrette.
- Arrange mixed greens on a serving platter or in salad bowls.
- Neatly top with sliced grilled chicken, crispy bacon, hard-boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes, avocado slices, and crumbled blue cheese.
- Drizzle with vinaigrette.
- Toss gently with tongs before serving, if desired.
Substitution
Earl's Cobb Salad from Earl of Sandwich copycat menu showcases a vibrant mix of fresh greens, grilled chicken, crispy bacon, ripe avocado, hard-boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes, and crumbled blue cheese drizzled with a zesty vinaigrette. If blue cheese isn't available, you can substitute with feta or goat cheese for a similarly tangy flavor. When grilling chicken, using a grill pan indoors is a great alternative if an outdoor grill is not accessible. If you prefer, turkey bacon can replace traditional bacon to reduce fat content without losing the smoky crunch. Your vinaigrette can be customized by adjusting honey or vinegar quantities to suit your taste preferences.
Tips
Make sure your mixed greens are thoroughly dried after washing, as excess water can dilute the vinaigrette and affect the salad's texture. Grill the chicken breast until the internal temperature reaches 165degF (74degC) to ensure it is fully cooked and safe to eat. When boiling eggs, start with cold water and time them for 9-12 minutes for a perfect hard-boiled consistency, then cool them immediately in ice water to make peeling easier. Your ripe avocado should be sliced just before assembling to prevent browning and maintain that fresh, creamy texture.
Nutritions
Earl's Cobb Salad from Earl of Sandwich provides a balanced mix of macronutrients with lean protein from grilled chicken and hard-boiled eggs, healthy fats from ripe avocado and olive oil, and essential vitamins and antioxidants from fresh mixed greens and cherry tomatoes. The combination of crispy bacon and crumbled blue cheese adds flavorful saturated fats and calcium. Your intake also benefits from dietary fiber, potassium, and folate present in the vegetables, supporting heart health and digestion. This nutrient-dense salad offers a satisfying, energy-boosting meal option loaded with a variety of essential nutrients.
Storage
To keep Earl's Cobb Salad fresh, store the mixed greens in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb moisture and extend crispness. Keep the grilled chicken, bacon, and hard-boiled eggs in separate sealed containers in the refrigerator to maintain their flavors and textures. To prevent your avocado slices from browning, lightly brush them with lemon juice and store them in an airtight container before assembling the salad.
Variation or Alternatives
You can substitute grilled chicken with smoked turkey breast for a slightly different flavor profile while maintaining protein content. Instead of blue cheese, try feta or goat cheese to add a tangy or creamy texture. For a healthier vinaigrette option, use lemon juice instead of red wine vinegar, and consider adding freshly chopped herbs like basil or parsley for extra aroma. Swap crispy bacon with vegetarian bacon or toasted nuts such as walnuts to keep the crunch without meat.
Allergies
Earl's Cobb Salad from Earl of Sandwich contains common allergens such as eggs, dairy (blue cheese), and mustard, which may cause reactions in sensitive individuals. The presence of bacon and chicken also requires caution for those with meat allergies or dietary restrictions. You should consult the ingredient list carefully if you have known allergies or sensitivities to these components.
Why this recipe?
The Earl's Cobb Salad from Earl of Sandwich restaurant is favored for its fresh, high-quality ingredients including crisp greens, ripe avocado, juicy tomatoes, and tender grilled chicken, combined with a perfectly balanced dressing that enhances every bite. Its well-rounded nutritional profile offers a satisfying and healthy meal option that caters to diverse dietary preferences. You will appreciate the harmony of flavors and textures that make this salad a standout choice, inspiring many to recreate the recipe at home for a convenient and delicious dining experience. Attempting the copycat version allows you to customize the ingredients to your taste while enjoying the restaurant's signature quality.