Powerhouse Cobb: Triple-Protein Builder's Salad
High-protein Cobb salad with 42g protein per serving. Grilled chicken, eggs, bacon, Greek yogurt dressing. Perfect muscle-building lunch.
Ingredients
- 6 cups mixed salad greens (romaine, spinach, arugula)
- 12 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 4 large eggs
- 6 slices bacon
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp paprika
Instructions
- 1
Pat the chicken breast dry with paper towels and season generously with salt, pepper, and paprika on both sides.
- 2
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
- 3
Place the seasoned chicken breast in the hot skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes until the bottom develops a golden crust.
- 4
Flip the chicken and continue cooking for another 6-7 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F when measured with a meat thermometer.
- 5
Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes, then slice it into bite-sized pieces or strips.
- 6
While the chicken cooks, place eggs in a small pot and cover with cold water by 1 inch.
- 7
Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat, then remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 10 minutes for hard-boiled eggs.
- 8
Transfer the eggs to an ice bath for 2 minutes to stop the cooking process, then peel and chop them into quarters.
- 9
Cook the bacon strips in a separate skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 8-10 minutes, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and crumble once cooled.
- 10
Whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and garlic powder in a small bowl until smooth and creamy, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
- 11
Arrange the mixed greens evenly across a large serving platter or divide among 4 individual plates.
- 12
Arrange the chicken pieces, hard-boiled eggs, bacon crumbles, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and blue cheese in neat rows on top of the greens.
- 13
Drizzle the Greek yogurt dressing over the salad or serve it on the side for dipping.
- 14
Garnish with fresh green onions and a pinch of black pepper, then serve immediately.
Variations & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional creamy blue cheese dressing (mayo + buttermilk base) | Greek yogurt-based dressing with blue cheese crumbles mixed in | Greek yogurt adds 15-20g additional protein per serving while reducing overall calories and saturated fat, creating a creamier texture without heavy mayo. |
| Regular bacon | Turkey bacon or tempeh bacon | Turkey bacon provides similar smoky, salty flavor with 2-3g protein per slice versus 1g in regular bacon, while reducing saturated fat by 40%. |
| Blue cheese crumbles | Crumbled feta cheese or cottage cheese mixed with blue cheese powder | Feta or cottage cheese provides similar tangy flavor with additional protein (especially cottage cheese at 14g per 1/2 cup) while reducing saturated fat. |
| Chicken breast only | Mix of grilled chicken breast + grilled shrimp or white fish | Adding shrimp or white fish (like halibut) introduces complete amino acid profiles and omega-3 fatty acids while maintaining protein density without excess calories. |
| Mayonnaise in dressing | Avocado oil mayo or omit entirely for extra-light version | Avocado oil mayo provides monounsaturated fats that support heart health and reduce inflammation, or removing it drops 100 calories per serving while maintaining creaminess from yogurt. |
Recommended Equipment
Tools that make this recipe easier
Nutrition Information
Per serving (serves 4)
| Calories | 485 |
| Total Fat | 28g |
| Saturated Fat | 9g |
| Cholesterol | 195mg |
| Sodium | 815mg |
| Carbohydrates | 16g |
| Fiber | 4g |
| Sugar | 4g |
| Protein | 42g |
This recipe was extracted from the original video source using AI. Nutritional information is estimated and may vary. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice. As an Amazon Associate, AlmostChefs earns from qualifying purchases. Product links are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra but help support the site. Read full disclaimer
