Warm Spring Farro Chicken Salad (Print-Friendly)

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 - 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 - In a medium saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil. Add farro, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 20–25 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 6–7 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.
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.
06 - Divide among plates. Sprinkle with feta cheese and fresh herbs, if using.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its one of those rare meals that tastes better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep without any sacrifice in quality
  • The farro gives you that satisfying carb comfort while still feeling light and fresh enough for warm weather
02 -
  • Do not skip the step of cooling the farro slightly before combining it with the vinaigrette. Hot farro will wilt the arugula and make the dressing separate, becoming oily and unappealing.
  • The salad needs at least 15 minutes for the flavors to meld after tossing with the vinaigrette. If you can, let it sit before serving, the farro will absorb the dressing and become even more flavorful.
03 -
  • If your farro still feels toothsome after the recommended cooking time, add another splash of water and continue cooking. The age of farro affects cooking time dramatically, and older grains take longer to soften.
  • Invest the extra minute to zest your lemon before juicing it. Trying to zest a squeezed lemon is frustrating and ineffective.
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