Warm Spring Farro Chicken Salad (Printable version)

Tender farro, juicy chicken, and crisp spring vegetables tossed in a 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, 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:

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.
06 - Divide among serving plates. Sprinkle with feta cheese and fresh herbs if using. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of warm farro and crisp vegetables creates this perfect texture contrast that keeps every bite interesting
  • It meal preps beautifully and actually tastes better the next day when flavors have had time to mingle
  • You get that complete meal feeling without any heaviness that leaves you needing a nap afterward
02 -
  • Overcooking the vegetables is the easiest way to ruin this salad so watch that 2 minute timer like a hawk and immediately shock them in cold water
  • Letting the farro cool slightly before assembling prevents the greens from wilting and keeps the salad vibrant
  • The vinaigrette tastes best made at room temperature so take it out of the fridge 10 minutes before whisking
03 -
  • Buy farro labeled semi pearled for faster cooking times without sacrificing texture
  • Massaging the arugula with a little vinaigrette before tossing the whole salad makes it less bitter and more tender
  • If making ahead, keep vinaigrette separate and dress just before serving to maintain the best texture
Return