Warm Spring Farro Chicken Salad (Printer Friendly)

Tender farro, grilled chicken, and crisp vegetables tossed in zesty lemon vinaigrette

# What You Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup farro, rinsed
02 - 3 cups water
03 - ½ teaspoon salt

→ Protein

04 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 10 oz total)
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - ½ teaspoon salt
07 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Vegetables

08 - 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
09 - 1 bunch (about 8 oz) asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
10 - 2 cups baby arugula or spinach

→ Lemon Vinaigrette

11 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
12 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
13 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
14 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
15 - ½ teaspoon salt
16 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
17 - 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

→ Garnish

18 - ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
19 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (parsley, mint, or chives)

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring water and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add farro, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
02 - Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill or pan-sear over medium heat for 6–7 minutes per side, until cooked through. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
03 - Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add asparagus and peas; cook for 2 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
04 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and lemon zest in a small bowl until emulsified.
05 - Combine cooked farro, chicken slices, blanched asparagus, peas, and arugula or spinach in a large bowl. Drizzle with vinaigrette and toss gently to coat evenly.
06 - Divide among plates. Sprinkle with feta cheese and fresh herbs, if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The nutty farro soaks up all that bright lemon vinaigrette making each bite more delicious than the last
  • It hits that perfect sweet spot where it feels substantial enough for dinner but still light enough for lunch the next day
02 -
  • Farro can vary wildly in cooking times depending on whether it is pearled semi pearled or whole so taste it early and often
  • The vinaigrette might seem too tangy on its own but once it coats the grains and chicken it balances out perfectly
03 -
  • Slice your chicken against the grain for the most tender texture in every bite
  • Reserve a handful of fresh herbs to scatter on top right before serving for maximum visual impact
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