This Chicken Cobb Christmas Tree Salad combines all the classic flavors of a Cobb salad with a festive twist, creating a holiday showstopper that’s as fun to make as it is delicious to eat. With crisp romaine lettuce forming the base of the tree, topped with diced chicken, turkey bacon, avocado, and cherry tomatoes for ornaments, it’s an edible masterpiece sure to impress your guests. The best part? You can make most of it ahead of time, perfect for easing holiday stress. Just wait to add the avocado until right before serving to keep it fresh. Whether as a festive centerpiece or a colorful addition to your holiday buffet, this salad brings a delightful mix of flavor, creativity, and holiday cheer to your table.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 3 heads romaine lettuce
- 1 1/2 cups diced chicken (rotisserie recommended)
- 1 avocado
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, diced
- 4 slices turkey bacon, crumbled
- 3 tablespoons red onion, chopped
- 20 cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/3 cup blue cheese crumbles (optional)
- 1 yellow bell pepper (for the star)
- 2 red bell peppers (for presents)
- 1 slice American cheese (for ribbon)
- Red Wine Vinaigrette Dressing (optional):
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 5 teaspoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Directions:
- Arrange romaine lettuce leaves on a large platter in a tree shape, with larger leaves at the base and smaller ones at the top.
- Layer the diced chicken, hard-boiled eggs, turkey bacon, and red onion in between the leaves.
- Position cherry tomatoes as ornaments on top of the lettuce, and sprinkle with blue cheese if desired.
- Cut a yellow bell pepper into a star shape using a star-shaped cutter and place it on top of the “tree.”
- Cut squares and rectangles from the red bell peppers for presents, and create ribbon using thin strips of American cheese.
- Serve with red wine vinaigrette or dressing of choice.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 161 kcal | Servings: 14 servings
A Festive Twist on a Classic
The Chicken Cobb Christmas Tree Holiday Salad is not just about flavor; it’s also about creativity and holiday spirit. The lettuce leaves are carefully arranged to form the “branches” of the tree, and cherry tomatoes are placed as bright, festive ornaments. A star-shaped yellow bell pepper sits atop the salad, completing the tree motif, while “presents” made from red bell pepper squares with cheese ribbons decorate the base of the tree. These small details turn a simple Cobb salad into a beautiful centerpiece for your holiday table.
One of the great aspects of this recipe is how easy it is to customize. For example, while the original recipe uses turkey bacon and diced chicken, you can easily swap these for other proteins like grilled shrimp, smoked salmon, or even a plant-based meat alternative for a vegetarian version. The blue cheese can be replaced with feta or left out entirely for those who prefer a milder flavor. The salad’s adaptability allows you to cater to a variety of dietary preferences and tastes, making it a versatile dish for any crowd.
Healthier Options for a Guilt-Free Holiday Dish
During the holiday season, indulgence often leads to heavy meals, rich desserts, and an abundance of treats. This Chicken Cobb Christmas Tree Salad provides a refreshing contrast to the usual holiday fare by offering a lighter, healthier option that doesn’t compromise on flavor. The use of lean proteins like chicken and turkey bacon, combined with healthy fats from avocado and nutrient-rich vegetables like romaine lettuce, makes this salad a wholesome choice. Additionally, the dressing options are flexible—you can use a homemade vinaigrette with red wine vinegar and olive oil, or opt for a store-bought, low-fat, or Greek yogurt-based dressing to cut down on calories while still delivering great taste.
For those keeping an eye on gluten intake, this recipe is naturally gluten-free, as long as the ingredients you use, such as bacon and mustard, are free of gluten-containing additives. It’s also easy to make dairy-free by omitting the cheese or using a dairy-free alternative. These simple modifications allow the Chicken Cobb Christmas Tree Salad to fit a range of dietary needs without losing its festive charm or delicious taste.
Make-Ahead Tips for Stress-Free Hosting
One of the best features of this holiday salad is that much of the preparation can be done ahead of time, making it a stress-free option for holiday hosts. During the busy holiday season, time-saving recipes are essential, and this one delivers by allowing you to prep many of the ingredients in advance. The chicken, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, and chopped vegetables can be prepared a day or two ahead and stored in airtight containers in the fridge.
The salad itself can be assembled several hours before your event, with the exception of the avocado, which should be added just before serving to prevent it from browning. The dressing can also be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge, ready to be whisked again just before serving. By doing the prep work in advance, you can focus on enjoying time with your guests rather than stressing over last-minute kitchen tasks.
Visual Appeal and Presentation
What sets this salad apart from a standard Cobb salad is its whimsical, holiday-themed presentation. When plated, it instantly brings a festive mood to the table, acting as both a delicious dish and a beautiful decoration. The Christmas tree shape, adorned with colorful “ornaments” and a bright yellow pepper star, is visually stunning. This salad is a conversation starter, guaranteed to wow your guests and leave them asking for the recipe.
To take the presentation up a notch, consider serving the salad on a large, festive platter that highlights its shape. You can also add small touches, like using different colored peppers for more vibrant “gifts” or sprinkling pomegranate seeds around the tree for an extra pop of color and flavor. These small adjustments can enhance the festive feel and elevate the salad to the level of a true holiday showstopper.
Customizing for Different Occasions
Although this salad is designed for the holiday season, it can easily be adapted for other celebrations throughout the year. For example, the Christmas tree shape can be swapped for a wreath arrangement for a New Year’s party or reshaped into a fun 4th of July display by using red, white, and blue ingredients. The flexibility of the salad’s design allows it to be a go-to recipe for any occasion where you want to combine great flavor with eye-catching presentation.
Conclusion:
The Chicken Cobb “Christmas Tree” Holiday Salad is a delightful way to bring festive flair to your holiday gatherings while serving a healthy and satisfying dish. Its beautiful presentation, combined with the classic flavors of a Cobb salad, makes it a standout recipe that is sure to impress your guests. Whether you’re hosting a large holiday party or a cozy family dinner, this salad offers the perfect blend of flavor, creativity, and nutrition, ensuring that it will be a hit at your table.
With its easy-to-follow recipe, customizable ingredients, and make-ahead convenience, this festive salad is a versatile addition to any holiday menu. Not only does it deliver in terms of taste, but it also doubles as a stunning centerpiece that will make your holiday spread unforgettable. By offering a healthier alternative to traditional holiday fare, the Chicken Cobb Christmas Tree Holiday Salad lets you indulge in the festive spirit without the guilt, all while showcasing your culinary creativity and holiday cheer.
