Chicken Cobb Salad

Ingredients

• 2 large boneless chicken breasts
• 3 garlic cloves, smashed with the flat side of a knife
• 1 shallot, peeled and quartered
• 1 bay leaf
• 2-3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• water, or use chicken or vegetable stock or broth
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise, best quality
• 2 cloves, minced
• 3 finely sliced green onions
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh dill
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives
• 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 head romaine lettuce, coarsely chopped
• 4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and halved or quartered
• 2 poached chicken breasts, cooled and sliced
• 1 cup smoked ham, diced
• 1 cup heirloom cherry tomato
• 1/2 cup shaved sharp cheddar
• 1 ripe avocado, quartered and slice
• 2 tbsp finely chopped chives
• buttermilk ranch dressing