Warm Spring Farro Chicken Salad (Print Version)

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

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup farro, rinsed
02 - 3 cups water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Protein

04 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 10 oz total)
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 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 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
16 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
17 - 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

→ Garnish

18 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
19 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (parsley, mint, or chives)

# Directions:

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 Suggestions:

01 -
  • The farro gives it this nutty chewy backbone that makes regular grain salads feel like they are missing something important
  • You can prep everything ahead and it actually tastes better after the flavors hang out together for a while
  • The vinaigrette hits that perfect sweet-tangy place that makes you want to eat the entire bowl standing up
02 -
  • Do not skip the lemon zest because that is where all the bright aromatic flavor lives
  • The farro absorbs dressing as it sits so you might want to save a little vinaigrette for leftovers
  • Slicing the chicken while it is still warm helps it absorb more flavor from the dressing
03 -
  • Pound your chicken breasts to even thickness so they cook evenly and stay juicy
  • Undercook the asparagus slightly because it will continue cooking from residual heat
  • Let the vinaigrette sit for 10 minutes before using to let the flavors meld together
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