Green Goddess Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad
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This lightened-up copycat Panera Green Goddess Chicken Cobb salad recipe is loaded with juicy grilled chicken, creamy avocado, crispy bacon, and tangy pickled red onions, all drizzled with a homemade light green goddess dressing. It’s fresh and filling, packed with protein, and the best part is that you can prep almost everything ahead so dinner comes together in minutes.
Why we love this salad
- Dressing included, it packs 41 grams of protein to keep you full and satisfied.
- Everything can be prepped in advance, which makes it perfect for meal prep or busy weeknights.
- The light green goddess dressing makes it taste indulgent without being heavy.
- It’s a restaurant-style salad you can make at home.
Ingredients you’ll need
- Grilled chicken breasts (see the marinade & cooking tips below)
- Green leaf lettuce and romaine, mixed
- Hard-boiled eggs- don’t miss my tips for making perfect hard-boiled eggs
- Cherry tomatoes
- Avocado- make sure to grab a ripe one
- Pickled red onions (I use the Trader Joe’s jarred ones for convenience)
- Center-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled (see meal prep tips)
- Light Green Goddess Dressing– don’t skip this; it’s amazing!
How to assemble the salad
- In a large salad bowl, add the greens, sliced egg, sliced tomatoes, sliced avocado, and pickled red onions.
- Top with the sliced grilled chicken and the crumbled bacon.
- Drizzle with the light green goddess dressing and enjoy!
Meal prep tips
I like to prep the components ahead of time so assembling is quick. Grill the chicken, bake the bacon, and boil the eggs earlier in the week. Wash and chop the greens and tomatoes, and slice the avocado right before serving so it stays fresh.
How to make the grilled chicken
I like to make this in advance for meal prep. I use one packet of Good Seasons Italian dressing, prepared as directed on the packet, to marinate 24 oz of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Feel free to use your favorite chicken marinade here.
- Marinate the chicken in the prepared Italian dressing ( I marinate for at least 8 hours, usually overnight)
- Set your grill to medium to medium-high heat (around 400°F).
- Grill the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, until it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F on a meat thermometer.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Cool and store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
How to make the bacon
Baking bacon in the oven is the easiest way to get it evenly crispy with less mess; it’s my go-to method.
- Line a baking sheet with foil and spray it lightly with cooking spray.
- Lay the bacon on the sheet and bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, until it’s as crispy as you like. Don’t forget to save the bacon drippings to make the best caramelized Brussels sprouts with bacon fat!
- Let it cool, then crumble.
Oven times and temps can vary with slice thickness, so check the directions on your bacon packaging. I like center cut because it’s leaner but still packs a ton of flavor.
More easy protein-packed salad recipes
- BLT Chicken Salad with Creamy Mayo Vinaigrette
- Grilled Mexican Shrimp Salad with Corn and Avocado
- Loaded Mexican Chicken Salad with Queso Fresco
- Chopped Summer Salad with Chicken and Blueberries
- Greek Cabbage Salad with Grilled Chicken (aka Lahanosalata)
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Green Goddess Chicken Cobb Salad
Ingredients
- 4 oz grilled boneless skinless chicken breast sliced *see recipe tips for marinade & grilling suggestions
- 1 cup green leaf lettuce chopped
- 1 cup Romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 large hardboiled egg sliced *see tips for prep
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes sliced in half lengthwise
- ¼ cup pickled red onions *I use Trader Joe's brand
- ¼ avocado sliced
- 2 slices center-cut bacon cooked until crispy & chopped
- light Green Goddess dressing *calories in notes
Instructions
- In a large salad bowl, add greens, sliced egg, sliced tomatoes, sliced avocado, and pickled red onions.
- Top with sliced grilled chicken.
- Drizzle the light green goddess dressing on top and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
- Green Goddess Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad - October 24, 2026
- Light Green Goddess Dressing (Panera Copycat) - October 21, 2026
- Easy Spinach Feta Egg White Wraps (Trader Joe’s Version) - September 14, 2026
