Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad with Honey Dijon (Paleo, Whole30 Option)
This Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad is a hearty, satisfying, and totally crave-worthy meal packed with protein and fresh ingredients. With perfectly seasoned grilled chicken, crispy bacon, creamy avocado, and a quick honey dijon dressing, this paleo and Whole30-friendly salad is perfect for lunch or dinner any day of the week.
Why You’ll Love This Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad
- Clean ingredients: Paleo, Whole30 option, gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free.
- Balanced and filling: Packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber to keep you full longer.
- Quick & easy: 25 minutes from start to finish, including homemade dressing.
- Meal-prep friendly: Great for prepping in advance and enjoying all week long.
Ingredients
Honey Dijon Dressing
- 3 Tbsp raw honey (melted if solid)
- 1/4 cup dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice or white vinegar
- 1/4 cup avocado oil
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Grilled Chicken
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 lbs)
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 Tbsp avocado oil (for grilling or cooking)
Salad Base
- 8 cups chopped romaine, kale, or greens mix
- 3/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 medium cucumber, peeled and sliced
- 1 large avocado, thinly sliced
- 8 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
- 6 hard boiled eggs, sliced
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together honey, dijon mustard, lemon juice or vinegar, avocado oil, and sea salt until well combined. Set aside.
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with sea salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Grill or cook the chicken: Heat 1 Tbsp avocado oil on a grill pan or outdoor grill over medium-high heat. Grill chicken for 4–5 minutes per side, or until cooked through (internal temp of 165°F). Remove from heat, let rest, then slice thinly.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl or on a platter, layer chopped greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, avocado slices, crumbled bacon, and sliced hard-boiled eggs.
- Add the chicken: Top salad with sliced grilled chicken.
- Drizzle & serve: Drizzle with honey dijon dressing just before serving, or serve dressing on the side. Enjoy immediately!
Whole30 Modification
To make this salad Whole30-compliant:
- Omit the honey from the dressing (or use a Whole30-approved sweetener, if desired).
- Ensure bacon is sugar-free and Whole30-approved.
- Double-check mustard ingredients for Whole30 compliance.
Serving Tips
- Serve it chilled: Perfect for summer lunches or make-ahead weekday dinners.
- Make it a bowl: Portion into meal-prep containers with dressing on the side.
- Add variety: Swap grilled chicken for grilled shrimp, turkey, or steak.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 363 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 182 mg
- Sodium: 702 mg
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 9 g
More Healthy Salad Recipes
Final Thoughts
This Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad with Honey Dijon is a protein-packed powerhouse of flavor and freshness. Whether you’re eating clean, following a paleo or Whole30 plan, or just looking for a wholesome and satisfying meal, this salad fits the bill. It’s easy to prep, big on flavor, and guaranteed to become a regular in your healthy meal rotation.