Description

A high-protein, satisfying lunch salad featuring grilled chicken, hard-boiled eggs, crispy bacon, avocado, and cheddar cheese on a bed of romaine lettuce with a tangy vinaigrette.

Ingredients

Scale

2 large heads romaine lettuce, chopped
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
4 large eggs
8 slices thick-cut bacon
2 ripe avocados
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and black pepper to taste
Garlic powder for seasoning chicken
Lemon juice (optional, for avocado)

Instructions

Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Heat a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat and cook chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 10 minutes. Transfer to an ice bath, peel, and slice into quarters.
In a small bowl, whisk together red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, and minced garlic. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking constantly to emulsify. Season with salt and pepper.
Wash and dry romaine lettuce, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Halve cherry tomatoes and crumble cooked bacon.
Slice avocados just before serving to prevent browning.
Arrange lettuce, sliced chicken, egg quarters, bacon, avocado, tomatoes, and cheese in rows on a platter or toss in a large bowl.
Drizzle dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently or serve on the side.

Notes

Ensure lettuce is thoroughly dried to prevent soggy salad. Rest chicken after cooking to retain juices. Keep ingredients separate until serving if meal prepping to maintain texture. Use sharp cheddar for better flavor balance.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 450
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 650
Fat: 28
Saturated Fat: 7
Carbohydrates: 12
Fiber: 6
Protein: 35

Keywords: Cobb Salad, High Protein Lunch, Healthy Lunch, Meal Prep, Grilled Chicken Salad, Avocado Salad, Bacon Salad