Warm Spring Farro Chicken Salad (Printable)

Tender farro, grilled chicken, spring vegetables, and zesty lemon vinaigrette come together in this vibrant bowl ready in 45 minutes.

# What You 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)

# How To Make:

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 -
  • You get that perfect balance of tender chicken, nutty farro, and snap fresh vegetables in every single bite
  • The lemon vinaigrette brings everything together with just the right amount of brightness
  • It actually tastes better after sitting for a bit, making it ideal for meal prep or picnics
02 -
  • Let the farro cool slightly before assembling or the arugula will wilt too much. Spreading it on a baking sheet speeds this up significantly.
  • Do not overcook the asparagus and peas. Two minutes is plenty. They should still have a snap to them.
  • The vinaigrette can be made ahead and stored at room temperature. Just give it a good whisk before using.
03 -
  • Always taste your dressing before adding it to the salad. It should taste slightly more intense than perfect since it will be distributed among all the ingredients.
  • Slice the chicken against the grain into thin pieces. This makes every bite tender and ensures the chicken distributes evenly throughout the salad.
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