This Cobb Pasta Salad is a colorful and satisfying dish that brings together the best of both worlds – the heartiness of pasta and the refreshing goodness of a salad. It features hearty pasta, grilled chicken breast, creamy avocado, juicy cherry tomatoes, and tangy feta cheese and is the perfect summer twist on the classic Cobb salad.
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Updated June 2023
Chicken Cobb Pasta Salad Recipe
Elevate your salad game with this flavorful twist on the classic Cobb salad with this Cobb Pasta Salad. Packed with vibrant colors, fresh ingredients, and a delightful combination of flavors, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re looking for a nutritious lunch or a tasty side dish, this Chicken Cobb Pasta Salad is a must-try for summer entertaining.
What is a Cobb Salad?
A Cobb Salad is a popular American dish that originated in the 1930s. It typically consists of chopped lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, avocado, chicken, and blue cheese, all arranged in rows on a plate. Our version of the Cobb Salad incorporates some variations and modern additions to elevate the flavors.
What You’ll Need
The ingredients listed below come together to form pure Cobb salad perfection. Scroll down to the recipe card for the exact amounts associated with each item.
For the Cobb Salad
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Use a mallet to pound down any breasts or specific areas that are noticeably thicker than others.
- Dried pasta: Any gluten-free or grain free pasta brand you like, but if you are paleo these from Jovial, or Almond Love for Keto. If you are looking for a chickpea or lentil based pasta, you can use Banza pasta shells that are made with chickpeas.
- Salt & Pepper: Added to taste.
- Garlic Powder
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed.
- Olive Oil
- Avocados: Peeled, pitted and cut into slices or chopped.
- Mixed Green Lettuce: Chopped.
- Hard-Boiled Eggs: Peeled and sliced. I recommend making either Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs or Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs. You’ll never boil eggs over the stove again!
- Bacon: Cooked and chopped.
- Grape Tomatoes: Or cherry tomatoes, cut in half.
- Cucumber: Sliced into rounds or chopped.
- Crumbled Dairy-Free Feta Cheese: We like this particular brand but you can leave off the cheese altogether if you’re paleo or Whole30.
For the Ranch Dressing
- Mayonnaise: You can use avocado oil mayo or vegan mayo. Dairy-free or regular plain Greek-style yogurt will work too.
- Dairy-free or regular Sour cream: We like the one from this brand which is completely vegan, paleo, keto-friendly and Whole30.
- Fresh lemon juice
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dried parsley
- Dried chives
- Himalayan salt and black pepper: To taste.
- Buttermilk or almond milk
How to make Chicken Cobb Pasta Salad
- Marinate Chicken: Start off by seasoning the chicken with salt, pepper and drizzle with olive oil and lemon.
- Cook the Pasta: Prepare the pasta according to package directions. Drain, rinse under cool water, and set aside in a large bowl.
- Prepare the Eggs: For the hard boiled eggs, we usually like to make a large batch using this method to keep on hand during the week for breakfast or to add to my salads.
- Cook the protein: Cook and crumble the bacon then grill the chicken.
- Assemble the salad: Prepare and assemble the remaining salad ingredients starting with the lettuce plus any other greens you like. Add cooked and drained pasta, hard boiled eggs, grape tomatoes, cucumber, crumbled bacon and feta.
- Top with dressing: Add any other toppings you like then drizzle with some creamy ranch dressing right before serving.
Tips for Success
To ensure your Cobb Pasta Salad turns out perfectly, keep these tips in mind:
- Cook the pasta al dente: Overcooking the pasta can result in a mushy salad. Cook it just until it’s tender but still firm to the bite.
- Use ripe avocados: For optimal creaminess and flavor, choose avocados that are ripe but not overly mushy. They should yield slightly when gently squeezed.
- Toss ingredients just before serving: To keep the salad fresh and prevent sogginess, combine the ingredients shortly before serving. This way, each bite will be crisp and delightful.
Storage and Freezer Instructions
If you find yourself with leftovers, here’s how to store and freeze your Cobb Pasta Salad:
- Storage: Place the salad in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. However, keep in mind that the texture of avocados may change slightly after refrigeration. Store the dressing separate and add it just before serving to maintain the salad’s freshness.
- Freezing: We recommend freezing individual portions without the dressing. Omit the avocado, tomatoes, and dressing, as these ingredients do not freeze well. Freeze the remaining components in separate containers and assemble the salad after thawing. Place the salad in freezer-safe containers or bags, removing as much air as possible. It can be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and add dressing before serving.
Serving Suggestions:
This Cobb Pasta Salad shines as a main dish or a delightful side. Here are some serving suggestions:
- Main Course: Enjoy a generous portion of this salad as a light and satisfying meal on its own. Pair it with some crusty bread or a refreshing glass of iced tea.
- Pack it in a portable container for a picnic or enjoy it at work
- Side Dish: Serve smaller portions alongside grilled chicken, steak, or seafood for a well-balanced and flavorful plate.
- This salad also makes a fantastic side dish for grilled meats or seafood. Pair it with your favorite protein for a complete and balanced meal.
- Consider serving the Cobb Pasta Salad at barbecues, potlucks, or family gatherings. Its vibrant colors and enticing flavors will be a hit with guests.
- For an elegant twist, present the salad in individual mason jars or on a platter, allowing guests to create their own customized servings.
- To enhance the presentation, garnish the salad with a sprinkle of fresh herbs, such as chopped parsley or basil, right before serving.
- Pair the salad with a refreshing beverage like iced tea, lemonade, or a crisp white wine to complement its flavors.
Variations:
Feel free to customize this recipe to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs. Here are a few variations to consider:
- Vegetarian Option: Skip the chicken and bacon, and add grilled tofu or chickpeas for a plant-based protein alternative.
- Dressing Variations: Swap out the ranch dressing for a tangy vinaigrette, a creamy Caesar dressing, or a zesty lemon herb dressing.
Additional Helpful Information:
- Make-Ahead: Prep the ingredients in advance and assemble the salad just before serving to save time.
- Serving Size: This recipe serves approximately 4 to 6 people, but you can easily double the quantities for a larger gathering.
- Customize Ingredients: You can swap in additional ingredients like corn, cucumbers, or olives to suit your taste preferences.
- Cool Down Pasta: Remember to let the cooked pasta cool down before adding the other ingredients to prevent wilting and maintain the salad’s freshness.
More delicious pasta salad recipes you will love:
This Cobb Pasta Salad is a colorful and satisfying dish that brings together the best of both worlds – the heartiness of pasta and the refreshing goodness of a salad. It features hearty pasta, grilled chicken breast, creamy avocado, juicy cherry tomatoes, and tangy feta cheese and is the perfect summer twist on the classic Cobb salad.
- 1 ½ cups dry rotini pasta leave out for a grain free version or you can also use penne or farfalle)
- 1-2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness (can also use rotisserie chicken)
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cups chopped mixed green lettuce
- 3 hard boiled eggs peeled and sliced
- 6 slices bacon cooked and chopped
- 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cucumber sliced in rounds or chopped
- ½ cup crumbled feta or blue cheese
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon dried chives
- Himalayan salt and black pepper to taste (about 1/8 teaspoon each)
- 1/4 - 1/3 buttermilk or almond milk plus more as needed to thin out sauce to desired consistency
- In a resealable zip-top bag, add chicken, salt, pepper and garlic and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the pasta according to package directions. Drain, rinse under cool water, and set aside in a large bowl.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature reaches 165 F. Remove the chicken from the grill and tent with foil. Let it rest and cool a bit for about 10 minutes and then slice or chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Whisk together all the ingredients for the dressing (add liquid as needed to thin out sauce to desired consistency). Drizzle 2 tablespoons over the cooked pasta.
- In a large bowl, add the lettuce, then top with cooked pasta, eggs, avocado, bacon, tomatoes, cucumber and cheese. Drizzle with dressing right before serving.
Disclaimer: This updated post was generated on June 7, 2023 by ChatGPT, an AI language model, and all info should be reviewed and validated by a human for accuracy and relevancy before implementation.
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