Ultimate Summer Chicken Cobb Salad with Fresh Peaches, Grilled Corn & Zesty Herb Vinaigrette

Prepare to elevate your summer dining experience with this sensational Chicken Cobb Salad. Featuring a vibrant medley of fresh peaches, perfectly grilled corn, sweet blueberries, creamy avocados, and succulent chicken breast marinated in smoky chipotle chili, all tied together with the most exquisite homemade herb vinaigrette. This recipe isn’t just a salad; it’s a celebration of seasonal flavors, meticulously crafted to become your go-to summer staple. From backyard BBQs to refreshing weeknight meals, this Cobb salad promises a burst of fresh taste in every single bite.

There’s nothing quite like serving up the essence of summer in a bowl, and this recipe does exactly that. Forget everything you thought you knew about Cobb salads; this version takes a delightful detour from the traditional, embracing the sweet and savory notes of summer’s finest produce. Imagine forkfuls brimming with juicy, tender chicken, crisp mixed greens, velvety avocado, the unexpected sweetness of ripe peaches, and a pop of tangy blueberries. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that truly captivates the palate.

Every ingredient plays a vital role in crafting this masterpiece. We start with lean chicken breast, infused with a smoky chipotle chili marinade that adds a depth of flavor far beyond your average grilled chicken. This protein-packed base is then surrounded by the season’s best: plump, sweet blueberries, peaches bursting with natural sugars, and corn kissed by an open flame, lending a delightful char. The rich, creamy avocado balances these vibrant notes, while a generous drizzle of our homemade fresh herb vinaigrette brings everything to life, making each bite an unforgettable experience. If you have a garden overflowing with basil, parsley, or cilantro, this dressing is your new best friend.

Key Ingredients for Your Perfect Summer Cobb Salad:

Crafting this incredible salad starts with selecting the freshest, highest-quality ingredients. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and some tips for making the best choices:

• Chicken: For this summer Cobb salad, boneless, skinless chicken breasts are an excellent choice due to their lean profile and ability to soak up the marinade. However, feel free to substitute with chicken tenders for quicker cooking or even boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a richer flavor and juicier texture. Regardless of the cut, ensure the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). A meat thermometer is an invaluable tool for perfectly cooked chicken every time.
• Seasonings: The marinade for our chicken is simple yet incredibly flavorful. It relies on everyday pantry staples like fragrant garlic powder, essential kosher salt, and earthy ground cumin. The star, however, is the chipotle chili powder, which imparts a smoky, slightly spicy kick. If chipotle chili powder isn’t readily available in your local grocery store, you can achieve a similar profile by combining ¾ teaspoon of smoked paprika with ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper for that desired warmth and smokiness.
• Oil: To bind the marinade and assist in cooking, avocado oil is a great choice due to its high smoke point and neutral flavor. However, you can confidently use any cooking oil you typically have on hand, such as olive oil or grapeseed oil.
• Mixed Greens: The foundation of any good salad is its greens. A generous box of mixed greens offers a wonderful variety of textures and subtle bitterness that complements the other ingredients beautifully. Consider options like spring mix, baby spinach, or a combination. If you prefer a crunchier base, romaine lettuce or even iceberg lettuce can be excellent alternatives.
• Corn: Fresh corn on the cobb is non-negotiable for this recipe as it delivers an unbeatable sweetness and crisp texture. Grilling the corn over an open flame on your stove or on an outdoor grill adds a delightful charred flavor that enhances the entire salad. If grilling isn’t an option, you can roast it in the oven or even use high-quality frozen charred corn (thawed) or drained canned corn in a pinch, though fresh is highly recommended.
• Avocados: A perfectly ripe, creamy jumbo Hass avocado is key to adding richness and healthy fats to the salad. One large avocado, diced, provides a generous portion for four servings. Feel free to adjust the quantity to your liking; you can never have too much avocado in a Cobb salad!
• Peaches: The inclusion of fresh peaches is what truly sets this summer Cobb salad apart. When peaches are in season, their sweet, juicy flesh adds an unparalleled burst of flavor. Select ripe but firm peaches, then slice and dice them to roughly the same size as your other salad components for balanced bites. We guarantee you’ll find yourself adding peaches to salads more often after trying this!
• Blueberries: These little gems not only contribute a delightful sweetness and a touch of tartness but also add a stunning pop of color. After a thorough wash, they’re ready to be tossed into the mix. If blueberries aren’t your favorite, feel free to experiment with other berries like raspberries or blackberries, though the peach and blueberry combination is truly special.
• A Batch of Fresh Herb Vinaigrette: This homemade dressing is the secret weapon of this salad. Made with an aromatic blend of fresh basil, parsley, and cilantro, along with dried tarragon, garlic, a touch of honey, apple cider vinegar, and high-quality olive oil, it ties all the flavors together with a bright, herbaceous finish. You can find the full, detailed recipe for this irresistible vinaigrette here.

Making the Perfect Summer Chicken Cobb Salad: Step-by-Step

Bringing this incredible salad to your table is simpler than you might think. Follow these steps for a flawless execution:

1. Marinate and Grill the Chicken: The secret to truly flavorful chicken lies in the marinade. In a bowl, combine your chosen seasonings (chipotle chili powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, ground cumin) with avocado oil to create a wet rub. Generously coat your chicken breasts with this mixture. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 20 minutes to an hour (or even longer in the refrigerator for deeper flavor). Once marinated, preheat your indoor grill pan or outdoor grill to a medium-high heat (around 425°F or 220°C). Grill the chicken for about 5-6 minutes per side, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove from heat and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing against the grain into bite-sized pieces. This resting period ensures the chicken remains juicy.
2. Grill that Corn to Perfection: While your chicken is resting, it’s the perfect time to char your corn. If you’re using an outdoor grill, you can place the corn directly on the grates, turning every few minutes until lightly charred on all sides. For an indoor method, carefully roast the corn directly over an open flame on your gas stove, using tongs to rotate it, until it develops beautiful charred spots. This adds a fantastic smoky sweetness. Alternatively, a grill pan works wonders too. Once cooled slightly, stand the cobb upright on a cutting board (place a damp paper towel underneath the board for stability) and carefully slice the kernels off.
3. Assemble and Serve Your Vibrant Salad: Now comes the fun part – putting it all together! In a large salad bowl, spread out your mixed greens as the base. Artfully arrange the remaining ingredients over the greens: the shaved grilled corn, diced avocado, plump blueberries, sweet peach slices, and your perfectly grilled and sliced chicken. Finally, generously drizzle a few tablespoons of your freshly prepared herb vinaigrette over the top. Gently toss the salad to combine all the flavors and textures. Taste and adjust the dressing as needed, adding more if you desire. Serve immediately and savor the taste of summer in every delightful bite!

If you enjoy this salad, you might also like these refreshing recipes:

• Grilled Zucchini Salad with Corn and Sweet Peppers
• Pickled Beet Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
• Charred Corn Avocado Salad with Pickled Onions
• Crunchy Strawberry Salad with Fried Goat Cheese
• Chicken BBQ Ranch Salad