Crispy Chicken Cobb Jar Salad (Print View)

Vibrant layered salad with crispy chicken, hard-boiled egg, bacon, and blue cheese in convenient mason jars.

# Components:

→ Crispy Chicken

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1 cup buttermilk
03 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
04 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
09 - Olive oil spray

→ Salad Components

10 - 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
11 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
12 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
13 - 2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and quartered
14 - 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
15 - 1 avocado, diced
16 - 1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled
17 - 1/2 small red onion, finely sliced

→ Dressing

18 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
19 - 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
20 - 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
21 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
22 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
23 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
24 - Salt and pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Submerge chicken pieces in buttermilk and allow to rest for minimum 15 minutes at room temperature.
02 - Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
03 - Combine panko, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a shallow bowl.
04 - Remove chicken from buttermilk, dredge thoroughly in breadcrumb mixture, arrange on prepared baking sheet, and apply even coating of olive oil spray.
05 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until exterior achieves golden color and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Allow brief cooling period.
06 - Whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, white wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, fresh chives, salt, and pepper until emulsified and smooth.
07 - In each of four 16-ounce mason jars, distribute in sequential order: 2 tablespoons dressing as base layer, followed by cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, crumbled bacon, blue cheese, hard-boiled egg quarters, crispy chicken bites, and romaine lettuce on top. Reserve avocado for final addition immediately before consumption.
08 - Secure jar lids and refrigerate until service time. Shake vigorously or transfer to serving bowl to distribute dressing evenly before eating.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything stays crisp and fresh because the dressing sits at the bottom until you're ready to eat.
  • You can grab it straight from the fridge on a busy morning and have a restaurant quality lunch without any effort.
  • The crispy baked chicken gives you all the crunch of fried without the mess or guilt.
  • It looks impressive when you set it on your desk, like you have your life together even when you don't.
02 -
  • If you add the avocado too early, it will turn brown and slimy by day two, just dice it fresh each morning or skip it entirely.
  • Don't skip misting the chicken with oil before baking, without it the coating stays pale and never gets that crispy golden finish.
  • Layer the ingredients in the order given or the lettuce will wilt and the chicken will get soggy, the dressing at the bottom is the key to keeping everything fresh.
03 -
  • Use wide mouth mason jars so it's easier to layer and eat without making a mess.
  • Let the chicken cool completely before adding it to the jar or the steam will wilt the lettuce and ruin everything.
  • If you're not a fan of raw red onion, soak the slices in ice water for 10 minutes to take the edge off.
  • Invest in a set of reusable jar lids with good seals, they make a huge difference in keeping everything fresh.
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