Colorful Family-Style Pesto Chicken Cobb Salad – Perfect for Potlucks!

Hello, my friends! Today, we’re going to whip up a deliciously fresh and flavorful Family-Style Pesto Chicken Cobb Salad. This hearty salad is perfect for a family gathering or a potluck party, as it’s sure to satisfy everyone’s cravings for a healthy yet indulgent meal. With its vibrant colors, textures, and irresistible homemade pesto dressing, this salad is a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds!

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup pine nuts (or walnuts)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 avocado, diced
• 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Grill, bake, or pan-fry the chicken until fully cooked through. Let it cool slightly, then slice or dice into bite-sized pieces.
2. Make the pesto: In a food processor or blender, combine the basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts (or walnuts), garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice. Pulse until a smooth and creamy pesto forms. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
3. Assemble the salad: In a large serving bowl or platter, arrange the chopped romaine lettuce. Top with the diced chicken, cherry tomatoes, avocado, crumbled bacon, sliced hard-boiled eggs, and crumbled feta cheese.
4. Dress the salad: Drizzle the homemade pesto generously over the salad, or serve it on the side for people to add as desired.
5. Toss and serve: If serving family-style, gently toss the salad to distribute the pesto dressing evenly. If serving individually, allow guests to dress their own portions as desired.

Additional Tips

• For an extra punch of flavor, you can add a dash of balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar to the pesto dressing.
• If you prefer a vegetarian version, simply omit the chicken and bacon, and add more veggies like roasted bell peppers or grilled zucchini.
• To keep the avocado from browning, toss it in a little lemon or lime juice before adding it to the salad.

Nutritional Value

This Family-Style Pesto Chicken Cobb Salad is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with lean protein from the chicken and eggs, healthy fats from the avocado and olive oil, and an abundance of vitamins and minerals from the fresh veggies and herbs. The pesto dressing adds a burst of flavor while providing beneficial nutrients from the basil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese.