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Farro, Grilled Chicken & Pistachios

Published: January 18, 2016 By Urban Foodie Kitchen Last Updated: January 24, 2021 14 Comments

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This farro salad with grilled chicken, pistachios and pomegranate has a great nutty flavor and makes a great healthy lunch or dinner. 

Farro, chicken + pistachios

Product samples were provided by Wonderful Pistachios, thoughts and opinions are my own.

At the beginning of the year, I know a lot of people, myself included, are trying to focus on healthier eating after all the holiday treats and indulgenes. But healthy isn’t fun if it doesn’t taste good!

Several years ago I was at a local restaurant in Chicago called Siena Tavern and we decided to try the Farro Seafood Salad. This was really my first introduction to farro and all I can say is YUM!

Farro + chicken + pistachos + pomegranate

How to make farro salad

This dish comes together quite quickly as it only has a few steps, making it an easy weeknight meal.

Cook the farro: Cooking farro is similar to cooking other grains. You should rinse the farro first, then combine it with the water and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. Let it come to a boil, then cover and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the water has been absorbed. Remove it from the heat and fluff with a fork.

farro salad

Grill the chicken: While the farro is cooking you grill the chicken, either indoors or out, or you can use any type of cooked chicken.

Make the vinaigrette: After the chicken and farro are cooked you can quickly whip up the vinaigrette. I generally use a mason jar for making dressings as you can easily shake everything up with the lid on. It also works well for storing any leftovers.

Assemble the salad: Once everything is ready, add the chicken, pistachios and pomegranate to the saucepan with the farro. Then drizzle the dressing over everything and toss to coat. Using the farro pan for mixing the salad means less cleanup. You can serve immediately or refrigerate and let the flavors meld for a bit.  It’s fantastic either way!.

farro + pomegranate in a glass bowl

Recipe ingredients

  • Farro: Farro has a nice nutty, earthy taste that makes it a great base for dishes on its own, as well as an add-in for a traditional lettuce-based salad or soups. You can find it in most large grocery stores, unusually in the same aisle as the pasta and the rice. Be sure to get the unpearled version.
  • Chicken breast: If you are going to grill your own check, use boneless, skinless chicken breast. You can use the breast from a rotisserie chicken or if your local market sells it, use pre-cooked, pre-shredded chicken breast.
  • Pistachios: When I’m cooking with pistachios I typically purchase the pre-shelled version so I don’t have to spend the time to take them out of the shell.
  • Pomegranate seeds: You can either purchase a whole pomegranate and take the seeds or perils out or you can buy the seeds on their own. Both Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods sell them. You’ll find them in the produce section.
  • Thyme: For this recipe, you’ll want to use fresh thyme.
  • Sherry vinegar: This might be a pantry staple for some but if not it’s worth the splurge to buy it for this recipe. Stored in a cool, dark place it will keep for a very long time.
  • Pantry staples: salt, ground pepper, dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, shallot (fresh or freeze-dried)

More Weeknight Recipes

If you are looking for other ideas for weeknight meals, check out these recipes:

  • Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl
  • Pork Tacos with Avocado Corn Salsa
  • Skillet Lemon Chicken
  • Garlic Ginger Cashew Chicken

tools you may want for this recipe

Grill pan – If you live in a place that has colder winters, a grill pan can be a very useful kitchen tool.

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Two bowls of farro topped with chicken, pistachios and pomegranate

Farro, Grilled Chicken & Pistachio Salad

★★★★★ 4.8 from 5 reviews
  • Author: Kathryn | Urban Foodie Kitchen
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Grill + stovetop
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Description

This farro salad with grilled chicken, pistachios and pomegranate has a great nutty flavor and makes a great healthy lunch or dinner.


Scale

Ingredients

For the salad:

  • ½ cup pearled farro
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 1 4 oz boneless (skinless chicken breast)
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • ½ cup Wonderful shelled pistachios
  • ⅓ cup pomegranate seeds
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon coarse ground pepper

For the vinaigrette:

  • 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon minced shallot
  • pinch of ground pepper
  • pinch of sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon honey
  • 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

  1. Cook the farro. Rinse the farro using a fine mesh strainer. Add the farro and water to a medium saucepan; bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for an additional 10-12 minutes until the water has evaporated.
  2. Cook the chicken. While the farro is cooking, brush the chicken with oil and grill over medium-high, either in a grill pan or on an outdoor grill; cooking 6 minutes per side. Chop into bite-sized pieces when done cooking.
  3. Chop the pistachios. Roughly chop the pistachios with a sharp knife and set them aside.
  4. Make the vinaigrette. Add vinegar through honey to a small bowl and whisk together. Slowly add olive oil whisking to combine. Add to farro mixture as desired.
  5. Assemble the salad. When the farro is done cooking add the chopped pistachios, thyme, pomegranate seeds, chicken, salt and pepper. Mix well.

Notes

The dressing makes more than you will likely use with the farro; store any leftover dressing in a small jar or other airtight container. Dressing will keep in the refrigerator for several weeks.

Keywords: Grain-based salad

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Previous Post: « Monthly Musings – January 2016
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says

    January 22, 2016 at 7:26 am

    I LOVE these flavors all together!! This would be so filling and flavorful. I can’t wait to try it. Pinned.

    Reply
  2. Jamie | The Kitchenarium says

    January 22, 2016 at 11:11 am

    I have added the ingredients to my shopping list! I love pistachios and what a great way to use another (less common) grain.

    Reply
  3. Ali @ Home & Plate says

    January 22, 2016 at 11:12 am

    I love trying new healthy dishes especially whole grain recipes that add a little protein and flavor. It’s the perfect one dish meal. This farro frilled chicken with pistachios looks delish.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  4. Dorota says

    January 22, 2016 at 11:19 am

    looks healthy and delicious, saving it for later!

    Reply
  5. Kathi @ laughingspatula says

    January 22, 2016 at 11:27 am

    Farro is the new Quinoa! Need to try this – I think its going to be a very popular grain this year! Looks yummy!

    Reply
  6. Debi at Life Currents says

    January 22, 2016 at 11:44 am

    I love farro, and this is a great way to eat it! Thanks for this wonderfully colorful and healthy dish!

    Reply
  7. Marsha @ Marsha's Baking Addiction says

    January 23, 2016 at 9:35 am

    This dish looks absolutely delicious! Love all the flavours!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  8. heather @french press says

    February 03, 2016 at 9:15 am

    I just had a farro salad the other night, and I loved it so much I bought farro for home the next day. this sounds like a great recipe to start experimenting with

    Reply
  9. Jill Silverman Hough says

    February 03, 2016 at 10:30 am

    I’m a farro fan, too–I love not only its nutty flavor, but that the nice, big grains cook up a little chewy. So much more interesting than rice or quinoa to me. I bet this would be good with other herbs as well–rosemary or marjoram, for example.

    Reply
  10. Chrisy @ Homemade Hooplah says

    February 03, 2016 at 3:20 pm

    Somehow I’ve never had a chicken and pistachio combo before, but it sounds amazing! I’d totally make this for a protein-packed lunch 😀

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  11. Elena says

    February 03, 2016 at 9:16 pm

    I love a farro salad, especially with pomegranate seeds. This is beautiful!

    Reply
  12. John@berlyskitchen.com says

    December 05, 2016 at 6:02 pm

    This looks good! I have never tried farro salad before, I might make this recipe to try this weekend,

    ★★★★

    Reply
  13. Katrin says

    December 06, 2016 at 12:50 pm

    This looks so delicious! I wish I could have a portion right now

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  14. carissa says

    December 12, 2016 at 8:52 am

    This looks great! I haven’t tried anything like this, looks very flavorful 🙂

    Reply

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