Pin It Skip the uninspired office lunches and dive into this vibrant Crispy Chicken Cobb Jar Salad. This recipe takes the classic flavors of a smoky, tangy Cobb salad and packs them into a convenient mason jar, making it the ultimate meal-prep solution for busy weekdays. With every layer carefully thought out, you get a restaurant-quality meal that stays fresh and crunchy until the moment you're ready to eat.
Pin It The brilliance of the jar salad lies in its vertical architecture. By layering the dressing at the very bottom and the delicate lettuce at the top, you create a barrier of hearty vegetables that prevents your greens from wilting. When it's time to eat, a quick shake or pouring it into a bowl transforms it into a perfectly tossed salad.
Ingredients
- For the Crispy Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Olive oil spray
- For the Salad:
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and quartered
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 avocado, diced (add just before serving)
- 1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 small red onion, finely sliced
- For the Dressing:
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- 1. Prepare the chicken
- Marinate the chicken pieces in buttermilk for at least 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 2. Coat and bread
- In a bowl, mix panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Remove chicken from buttermilk, coat in the breadcrumb mixture, and place on the baking sheet. Mist with olive oil spray.
- 3. Bake and cool
- Bake for 18–20 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Let cool slightly.
- 4. Mix the dressing
- Whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon, chives, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- 5. Layer the jars
- In four large mason jars, layer ingredients in this order: 2 tbsp dressing, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, bacon, blue cheese, hard-boiled egg, crispy chicken bites, romaine lettuce, and finally the avocado.
- 6. Seal and serve
- Seal jars and refrigerate. When serving, shake the jar or pour into a bowl to combine.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
To ensure your chicken stays crispy even after refrigeration, allow the bites to cool completely to room temperature before adding them to the jars. This prevents condensation from forming, which could soften the breading. Additionally, using a wider-mouth mason jar makes it much easier to both layer the ingredients and pour them out into a bowl for serving.
Varianten und Anpassungen
This recipe is highly adaptable to dietary needs. For a gluten-free version, simply swap the standard panko for gluten-free panko breadcrumbs. If blue cheese is too pungent for your taste, it can be easily substituted with crumbled feta cheese or even sharp cheddar cubes for a different flavor profile.
Serviervorschläge
For the best results, add your diced avocado just before sealing the jar to minimize air exposure, or pack it separately and add it right before eating to prevent browning. To elevate your lunch experience, pair this hearty American salad with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a refreshing sparkling water with a twist of lemon.
Pin It Whether you're prepping for a busy work week or planning a picnic, the Crispy Chicken Cobb Jar Salad is a delicious, colorful, and satisfying way to eat well on the move. Enjoy the classic Cobb experience with the convenience of modern meal prepping.
Recipe FAQs
- → How long can I store these jars?
Sealed mason jars keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. The dressing on the bottom protects the vegetables from wilting. Add avocado just before eating to prevent browning.
- → Can I prepare the chicken ahead?
Yes, bake the chicken up to 2 days before and refrigerate. You can also coat it and freeze uncooked for up to 1 month, then bake when ready.
- → What's the best layering order?
Layer from bottom to top: dressing, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, bacon, cheese, eggs, chicken, then lettuce. This keeps greens crisp and allows flavors to meld together.
- → Can I substitute the blue cheese?
Absolutely. Feta, goat cheese, or even sharp cheddar work well. Choose a bold cheese that complements the crispy chicken and smoky bacon.
- → Is this actually gluten-free?
Yes, when using gluten-free panko breadcrumbs. Always check your Dijon mustard and other ingredients for hidden gluten, and verify bacon doesn't contain additives.
- → How do I serve these jars?
Shake the sealed jar vigorously to combine all layers, or pour contents into a bowl and toss. Either method distributes the dressing evenly throughout.