Warm Spring Farro Chicken Salad (Printable)

Vibrant salad with tender farro, juicy chicken, crisp spring vegetables, and zesty lemon vinaigrette.

# Ingredient list:

→ Grains

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

→ Protein

04 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, approximately 10 ounces 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 asparagus, approximately 8 ounces, 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 such as parsley, mint, or chives

# How to Make It:

01 - In a medium saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil. Add farro, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
02 - While the farro cooks, rub chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill or pan-sear over medium heat for 6 to 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 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and lemon zest until well combined.
05 - In a large bowl, combine cooked farro, chicken slices, blanched asparagus, peas, and arugula or spinach. Drizzle with vinaigrette and toss gently to coat evenly.
06 - Divide salad among plates. Sprinkle with feta cheese and fresh herbs if using.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The farro gives you that satisfying chewy comfort while all those fresh vegetables make you feel like youre eating something light and virtuous
  • Everything can be prepped ahead so you can assemble it in five minutes when youre ready to eat
02 -
  • Do not skip the step of spreading the cooked farro on a baking sheet to cool it prevents the grains from clumping together
  • The vinaigrette tastes best if you let it sit for 10 minutes to let the flavors meld before tossing with the salad
03 -
  • If your farro still feels crunchy after 25 minutes add another ¼ cup of water and cook for 5 more minutes
  • The chicken can be poached instead of pan-seared if you want an even more tender texture
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