Imagine a salad so incredibly delicious that it shatters every boring salad stereotype you've ever known. The Blackened Chicken Cobb Salad isn't just a meal—it's a culinary adventure that combines smoky, spicy chicken with crisp greens, creamy avocado, and tangy blue cheese. Perfect for those who crave bold flavors and a restaurant-quality dish right in their own kitchen, this recipe promises to elevate your lunch from mundane to magnificent in just 35 minutes!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1 avocado, diced
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by patting the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Evenly coat both sides of the chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, ensuring complete coverage.
- Heat a cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of olive oil to the pan.
- Place the seasoned chicken breasts into the hot skillet. Cook for approximately 6-7 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the exterior is deeply browned and slightly charred.
- While the chicken is cooking, prepare the bacon by cooking in a separate skillet until crisp. Drain on paper towels and crumble once cooled.
- Remove the chicken from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes. Then slice the chicken into thin strips.
- In a large salad bowl, spread the mixed greens as the base of the salad.
- Arrange the sliced blackened chicken, crumbled bacon, diced avocado, diced tomatoes, and crumbled blue cheese on top of the greens in distinct sections.
- Drizzle ranch dressing over the salad just before serving.
- Serve immediately while the chicken is still warm and enjoy your Blackened Chicken Cobb Salad.
Tips
- Pat the chicken breasts completely dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect, crispy blackened exterior.
- Use a cast-iron skillet for the most authentic blackening technique and maximum flavor development.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking to retain its juiciness and prevent dry meat.
- For extra crispiness, cook bacon in the oven on a wire rack for more even rendering.
- Choose fresh, high-quality mixed greens for the best salad base.
- If you prefer less heat, adjust the Cajun seasoning amount to suit your taste.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast between warm chicken and cool, crisp salad ingredients.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 450kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 38g
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 120mg
