Simple & Delicious Chicken Farro Recipe
Written By Santa Prisca & Co Staff Last updated on
Finding meals that are both exciting and easy to incorporate into a busy week can sometimes feel like a quest. Allow me to introduce a dish that has become a cherished favorite in my own kitchen: this vibrant chicken farro recipe. It’s a beautiful harmony of textures and flavors – the satisfying chew of farro, the tenderness of well-cooked chicken, and the potential for so many fresh, seasonal additions. This isn't just about getting dinner on the table; it's about creating moments of culinary joy and nourishing yourself with food that feels both thoughtfully prepared and effortlessly delicious, a true testament to intentional cooking.
Key Takeaways
- Welcome Farro to Your Pantry: Add this ancient grain to your meals for its wonderful chewiness, subtle nutty notes, and its contribution of fiber and protein, making wholesome eating easy and enjoyable.
- Mastering Your Farro: Prepare perfectly textured farro by rinsing the grains, simmering with the correct liquid balance (about 1 part farro to 2.5-3 parts liquid), seasoning your cooking water, and allowing a short rest after cooking for fluffy results.
- Personalize Your Chicken Farro: Use our recipe as a delicious starting point, then tailor it to your taste by marinating the chicken, incorporating seasonal vegetables, or finishing with fresh herbs and citrus for a truly satisfying meal.
Meet Farro: An Ancient Grain for Your Table
Have you ever paused to consider the foods that nourished people centuries, even millennia, ago? Farro is one such remarkable grain, a true ancient treasure that has graced tables for thousands of years. It’s a variety of wheat, yet wonderfully distinct from its modern counterparts, offering a delightfully chewy texture and a subtle, nutty character. Imagine it as a beautiful culinary thread, weaving together the wisdom of ancient food traditions with the vibrant, health-aware kitchens we cultivate today. It’s more than just an ingredient; it’s a connection to a rich agricultural past.
What I find so captivating about farro is its incredible versatility and the way it makes meals feel both comforting and complete. Whether you’re stirring it into a hearty, warming soup on a cool evening, tossing it with fresh vegetables for a vibrant salad, or serving it as a wholesome foundation alongside your favorite protein, farro brings a satisfying depth. Its gentle, slightly earthy flavor is a perfect companion to a wide array of other ingredients, yet it’s also distinct enough to be enjoyed simply on its own, perhaps with a drizzle of good olive oil and a sprinkle of our Colima Sea Salt. As many of us seek out foods that are not only delicious but also contribute to our overall well-being, it’s truly wonderful to see farro making its way back into our pantries. It’s a simple, beautiful way to incorporate the enduring appeal of ancient grains into your everyday cooking, adding a touch of history and a lot of nourishment to your table.
Farro's Goodness: A Nutritional Gem for Your Pantry
Beyond its appealing texture and flavor, farro is a true nutritional powerhouse, a little gem for your pantry. It’s thoughtfully packed with dietary fiber, which is so important for digestive wellness, along with plant-based protein, energizing complex carbohydrates, and beneficial B vitamins. This combination makes it a wonderfully balanced and sustaining addition to any meal.
What’s particularly lovely is that farro is relatively modest in calories, yet its high fiber content helps you feel pleasantly full and satisfied for longer. This can be a gentle, natural support for mindful eating and maintaining a sense of balance. While farro is a type of wheat and does contain gluten, some people find it a bit easier to digest compared to more processed modern wheat products. For those looking to embrace its full nutritional spectrum, hulled farro is often considered the most nutrient-rich choice, as it retains more of its inherent goodness. Welcoming farro into your kitchen means you’ll always have a wholesome, flavorful, and versatile ingredient ready to inspire your next meal.
Cooking Farro Well: Your Path to Perfect Texture
There's something deeply satisfying about cooking ancient grains, and farro, with its hearty chew and nutty whisper, is a true favorite in my kitchen. If you've ever found yourself with a pot of farro that was a bit too gummy or, on the other end, a little too tough, please know you're not alone! It’s a common kitchen moment. But I promise you, achieving that perfect, toothsome texture—where each grain is distinct yet tender—is simpler than you might think. It’s all about a few mindful steps that transform these humble grains into something truly special.
Imagine each spoonful: a delightful pop, a satisfying chewiness, a wholesome base that beautifully carries other flavors. When cooked with care, farro offers this wonderful experience. It’s this texture that makes a farro dish feel both rustic and refined, comforting and nourishing. This isn't just about avoiding a sticky mess; it's about allowing the grain to truly shine, to offer its full character. Taking the time to cook with intention, perhaps starting with foundational elements like a pure, unrefined sea salt, not only brings out its best qualities but also deepens our connection to the food we prepare and enjoy. It becomes more than just a meal; it’s a small act of creating something good, a moment of quiet kitchen craft. So, let’s explore how to coax your farro to its most delicious state, ensuring every bite is a pleasure.
From Grain to Perfection: Soaking, Simmering, and Savoring Farro
Ready to achieve that ideal farro texture? It truly begins with a little thoughtful preparation. First, give your farro a good rinse under cool water. This simple step helps wash away excess starch, which many cooks find key for achieving fluffy results and preventing stickiness.
Next, consider your cooking liquid. While water works beautifully, a flavorful broth can add a lovely layer of depth. The crucial part is the farro-to-water ratio; aim for about 1 part farro to 2.5 or 3 parts liquid. For an even richer taste and wonderfully tender grain, try simmering your farro in chicken or vegetable stock, a method that shines in dishes like one-pan lemon chicken and farro. Once tender, drain any remaining liquid. Then, the secret touch: let it rest, covered, for about five minutes before fluffing gently with a fork. This pause allows the grains to firm up perfectly.
Let's Make Chicken Farro: A Simple, Heartwarming Recipe
There's something truly special about a meal that nourishes both body and soul, don't you think? This Chicken Farro recipe is exactly that—a straightforward dish brimming with wholesome ingredients and comforting flavors. It’s the kind of meal that invites you to slow down, savor each bite, and appreciate the simple goodness of well-prepared food. Let's walk through how to bring this beautiful dish to your table.
Prepare Your Chicken with Care
The secret to truly flavorful chicken often lies in the moments before it even meets the heat. Taking a little time to marinate your chicken can transform it from simple protein to the star of your dish. Even a brief 15-minute soak in a good marinade helps to infuse it with flavor, but if your day allows, letting it rest overnight in the refrigerator deepens those notes beautifully.
Consider a simple blend of good olive oil, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, a clove of minced garlic, and a generous pinch of our Colima Sea Salt. This isn't just about seasoning; it's about tenderizing the chicken and allowing those pure, mineral-rich salt crystals to work their magic, drawing out the chicken's inherent deliciousness. This small act of preparation is a quiet nod to cooking with intention and care.
Simmer the Farro to Tenderness
Farro, with its delightful chew and nutty undertones, is a wonderfully satisfying grain that I find myself turning to again and again. Cooking it well is all about achieving that perfect texture. The key is to use the right water to grain ratio; a common guideline is one part farro to about two and a half parts water or your favorite broth. This ensures each grain plumps up perfectly without becoming mushy.
Bring your liquid to a gentle boil, add the farro, then reduce the heat so it’s just simmering. Cover the pot and let it cook patiently. This slow, steady simmer allows the farro to absorb the liquid gradually, becoming tender while retaining its lovely, characteristic bite. It’s a simple process, but one that rewards a little attention with a truly wholesome foundation for your meal.
Combine Flavors for a Beautiful Dish
Once your chicken is cooked to golden perfection and your farro is tender and waiting, it's time to bring them together. This is where the dish truly comes alive, and you can really start to see the harmony of flavors. Think about how the savory, juicy chicken and the earthy, nutty farro will mingle. You can serve the chicken alongside the farro or slice it and mix it right in for a more integrated bowl.
To elevate the dish further, consider what other elements can complement farro's unique character. Gently sautéed greens like spinach or kale, wilted into the warm farro, add a vibrant touch and a welcome boost of nutrients. Roasted vegetables, perhaps some sweet bell peppers, earthy mushrooms, or even caramelized Brussels sprouts, introduce new layers of flavor and texture, creating a truly complete and satisfying meal. A final, thoughtful sprinkle of Colima Sea Salt can harmonize all these elements beautifully.
Brighten Your Bowl: Flavor Secrets for Chicken Farro
Once your chicken and farro are beautifully cooked, it’s time for the details that transform a simple meal into something truly special. These are the little secrets that layer in brightness, depth, and that "mmm, what is that?" quality. Think of these additions as the final brushstrokes on your culinary canvas, each one adding its own unique charm. And remember, when you start with quality ingredients, like perfectly cooked farro and tender chicken, these flavor enhancers truly sing. A sprinkle of exceptional Colima Sea Salt at the right moment can also make all these fresh flavors pop, drawing out their inherent goodness.
The Magic of Fresh Herbs and Aromatics
There’s something truly transformative about fresh herbs. They’re like little bursts of life in your bowl, bringing not just vibrant green hues but also an incredible aromatic lift. Imagine the sweet perfume of freshly chopped basil, the clean, peppery notes of parsley, or the bright zest of cilantro. These aren't just garnishes; they are integral flavor components. When you incorporate fresh herbs generously, you’re inviting a garden-fresh vitality to your chicken farro. Try stirring them in just before serving to preserve their delicate flavors and bright colors. This simple step connects your meal to the earth and adds a layer of freshness that processed ingredients simply can't replicate, offering a moment to appreciate nature's simple gifts.
A Touch of Sun: Citrus and Dried Tomatoes
To really make your chicken farro sing, introduce elements that evoke sunshine and warmth. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a grating of orange zest can awaken all the other flavors in the bowl, adding a delightful tang that cuts through richness and brightens every bite. If you marinated your chicken with citrus, you’ve already laid a beautiful foundation for this vibrant layer. Another wonderful addition is sun-dried tomatoes. Their concentrated, sweet-tart flavor and satisfyingly chewy texture offer a delicious counterpoint to the nutty farro and savory chicken. These sun-kissed ingredients add a layer of complexity and a whisper of Mediterranean sunshine, making your dish feel both comforting and exciting, a true celebration of wholesome flavors.
Graceful Finishes: Cheese and Thoughtful Extras
The final touches can bring a lovely sense of completion to your chicken farro. A crumble of good quality feta cheese adds a salty, briny counterpoint and a creamy texture that melts ever so slightly into the warm grains. Alternatively, a dusting of finely grated Parmesan offers a nutty, umami-rich depth. Beyond cheese, consider a scattering of toasted pine nuts for a delicate crunch or a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil for a fruity, peppery finish. These thoughtful extras are more than just additions; they are an invitation to savor each mouthful. When you choose your finishing touches with intention, you elevate the entire eating experience, turning a simple meal into a moment of quiet indulgence and appreciation for the craft of cooking.
Cooking with Confidence: Avoiding Common Farro Pitfalls
Cooking farro should feel like a warm invitation into a world of wholesome flavors, not a culinary challenge. With a few gentle nudges in the right direction, you’ll find yourself preparing this ancient grain with ease and joy. It’s all about understanding its simple needs, from the initial rinse to the final, patient rest. Let’s explore how to sidestep those little hiccups that can sometimes occur, ensuring your farro dishes are always a delight. Think of these tips as friendly advice from my kitchen to yours, helping you create meals that are not only nourishing but also a true pleasure to prepare and share.
Getting Timing and Seasoning Just Right
One of the first steps to truly wonderful farro is a simple rinse. Before it even meets the heat, wash your farro thoroughly under cool water. This isn't just for cleanliness; it helps remove excess starch from the grains. Why does this matter? Less starch means your farro will cook up fluffier, and the individual grains will remain distinct, rather than becoming overly sticky. It’s a small detail that makes a noticeable difference in the final texture, giving you that lovely chew.
When it comes to the cooking liquid, a common starting point is about one part farro to two and a half parts water or broth. However, remember that farro comes in different forms—pearled, semi-pearled, or whole—and this can influence how much liquid it happily absorbs. Don't be afraid to check it as it simmers; you're looking for that perfect al dente bite. And please, don’t forget to season your cooking water! Just as with pasta, this is your primary chance to infuse flavor deep into every grain. A generous pinch of high-quality sea salt, like our sun-dried Colima Sea Salt, will awaken the farro’s nutty notes beautifully.
The Gentle Art of Resting Your Dish
Once your farro has simmered to tender perfection, resist the urge to serve it immediately. Instead, grant it a little quiet time. Cover the pot, remove it from the heat, and let it rest for about five to ten minutes. This pause is more than just a break; it’s an essential step where the magic continues. During this rest, the grains finish absorbing any remaining steam, becoming even more tender and distinct, each one perfectly plump.
Think of it as the farro settling into its best self. This resting period allows the flavors to meld more deeply, especially if you've cooked it in a savory broth. When you finally fluff the grains with a fork, you’ll be greeted with perfectly cooked farro, ready to become the star of your meal or a beautiful, textured base for other ingredients. It’s a simple act of patience that yields truly rewarding results, ensuring every bite is as flavorful and satisfying as it can be.
Make It Yours: Ideas to Personalize Your Chicken Farro
A cherished recipe often feels like a good friend—reliable and comforting. But the true beauty of cooking lies in making a dish your own. This chicken farro recipe is a wonderful foundation, inviting you to weave in your favorite flavors and seasonal touches. Let’s explore a few simple ways to personalize it.
Embrace the Seasons: Add Fresh Vegetables
Connecting your meals to the rhythm of the seasons is a delightful way to cook. As the year unfolds, let the market’s bounty inspire your chicken farro. In warmer months, enhance your dish with the smoky notes of grilled vegetables; imagine colorful bell peppers, tender zucchini, or sweet corn kernels adding vibrancy. When autumn arrives, consider the caramelized richness of roasted Brussels sprouts or the earthy sweetness of butternut squash.
A handful of bright green asparagus in spring or some deeply flavored sautéed kale in the fall can also bring new life to your bowl. These additions not only introduce fresh tastes and textures but also infuse your meal with the goodness of seasonal produce.
Beyond Chicken: Exploring Other Proteins
While chicken pairs beautifully with farro’s nutty character, this recipe is wonderfully versatile. Perhaps you’re looking for a different protein, or you want to cater to various dietary preferences. For a lean alternative, ground turkey breast works perfectly here, or you could opt for lean ground beef if you prefer a richer flavor.
For those who enjoy plant-based meals, consider adding hearty chickpeas or creamy cannellini beans towards the end of the cooking time. Even a flaky, pan-seared fish fillet or a medley of savory, umami-rich mushrooms can transform the dish. The goal is to choose a protein that complements farro’s wholesome texture and taste.
Dress It Up: Simple Sauces and Drizzles
Often, it’s the subtle finishing touches that bring a dish together. A simple sauce or a thoughtful drizzle can harmonize the flavors in your chicken farro beautifully. If you have a bit of extra time, marinating the chicken for at least 15 minutes before cooking can infuse it with incredible flavor; an overnight marinade makes it even more succulent.
Consider tossing the warm farro with a light vinaigrette—a blend of good olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and a hint of Dijon mustard can brighten everything. A final flourish of freshly chopped herbs like parsley or dill, a drizzle of your favorite finishing oil from our shop, or a sprinkle of toasted nuts for crunch can add that special, personal touch.
Share the Goodness: Plating and Serving Your Creation
Bringing a dish to the table is more than just sustenance; it's an offering, a moment of connection. When you’ve poured care into creating your chicken farro, presenting it thoughtfully honors the ingredients and the effort. It’s about creating an experience that delights the senses, even before the first bite. A sprinkle of fresh herbs, a thoughtfully chosen bowl, or the vibrant colors of accompanying sides can transform a simple meal into a small celebration. This is where we truly share the warmth of our kitchens.
Simple Ways to Present Your Dish Beautifully
You don’t need to be a food stylist to make your chicken farro look inviting. Sometimes, the most beautiful presentation comes from highlighting the natural textures and colors of the food itself. Consider serving your farro in wide, shallow bowls that allow the ingredients to spread out, showcasing the tender chicken and wholesome grains. A final drizzle of good olive oil or a scattering of fresh parsley can add a touch of vibrancy.
Remember, much of the appeal comes from the care taken in preparation. For instance, properly marinating chicken not only deepens its flavor but also contributes to a more succulent and visually appealing result when cooked. When food is prepared with intention, its beauty often shines through effortlessly. A finishing touch of our Colima Sea Salt just before serving can also add a delicate sparkle and a final burst of mineral depth.
Perfect Pairings: Sides and Sips to Complement Your Farro
Choosing the right accompaniments can truly round out your chicken farro meal, adding layers of flavor and texture. Think about balance: the earthy notes of farro and savory chicken pair wonderfully with bright, fresh elements. Grilled vegetables, like bell peppers or zucchini, bring a lovely smokiness and a splash of color. For something with a bit more richness, roasted Brussels sprouts offer a delightful caramelized sweetness.
A crisp, zesty lemon garlic asparagus is another wonderful option, cutting through the richness of the dish with its bright notes. If you're craving something cool and refreshing, a simple Caprese salad with ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil offers a beautiful contrast. And for a truly harmonious pairing, consider a citrusy farro salad on the side; its bright flavors will dance beautifully with your main course. These thoughtful additions not only complete the meal but also make the entire spread more inviting.
Savor It Again: Storing and Reheating Tips
One of the quiet joys of cooking a truly satisfying meal is knowing you have delicious leftovers waiting. This Chicken Farro dish is wonderful for that very reason; it’s easy to make and ideal for meal prepping because it reheats so beautifully. You’re essentially gifting your future self a nourishing, ready-made meal.
Storing Your Chicken Farro
To truly cherish your chicken farro creation for days to come, proper storage is key. Begin by allowing the dish to cool down to room temperature on the counter; this prevents condensation from forming inside your storage container, which can affect the texture. Once cooled, transfer your farro into airtight containers. This step is crucial as it protects the dish from absorbing other odors in the refrigerator and keeps it wonderfully fresh. Your chicken farro will keep beautifully for about 3 to 4 days when stored this way. And since farro itself is such a resilient grain, often cooked in larger batches for weekly meal plans, you can trust its delightful chewiness will hold up.
Reheating with Care
When you're ready to enjoy it again, the goal is to gently warm the dish through, preserving its lovely flavors and textures. The reheating process is quite straightforward. For the stovetop, place the farro in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of water or broth to help create a little steam and prevent it from drying out, stirring occasionally until warmed. If you prefer the microwave, use a microwave-safe dish, cover it loosely to trap moisture, and heat in short intervals, stirring in between.
Remember, this dish is a complete meal with protein, vegetables, and whole grains, so reheating it properly means you’re getting all that goodness again. You can even adapt it slightly by adding a fresh squeeze of lemon or a sprinkle of chopped parsley after reheating to brighten the flavors. A final, thoughtful touch? A tiny sprinkle of our Colima Sea Salt can reawaken the flavors beautifully.
Welcome Chicken Farro to Your Kitchen Repertoire
Opening your kitchen to new ingredients and recipes is like inviting new friends to your table – it brings fresh energy, delightful conversations, and a sense of discovery. Chicken farro is one such dish, ready to become a beloved staple in your home. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a way to embrace wholesome eating without sacrificing flavor or spending hours in the kitchen. Think of it as your go-to for those evenings when you crave something satisfying, comforting, and genuinely good for you.
This beautiful grain, paired with tender chicken, offers a canvas for your culinary creativity. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just beginning to explore more intentional ways of preparing food, chicken farro meets you where you are. It’s a dish that encourages a pause, a moment to appreciate the simple goodness of ingredients working in harmony. As you learn to prepare it, you’ll find it’s not just about following steps, but about connecting with the food you eat and the nourishment it provides. It’s about creating meals that feel both special and effortlessly simple, a true gift to yourself and those you share your table with. And of course, a sprinkle of high-quality Colima Sea Salt can truly awaken the natural flavors, making each bite a quiet celebration of simple, pure ingredients.
Nourishing and Versatile: Why You'll Love It
So, what makes chicken farro so special? First, let's talk about farro itself. This ancient grain boasts a wonderfully chewy texture and a subtle, nutty flavor that’s incredibly satisfying. It’s a fantastic source of fiber and plant-based protein, offering sustained energy and keeping you feeling full and content. Imagine a grain that not only tastes delightful but also supports your well-being with every bite.
Its versatility is another reason to fall in love. Farro graciously steps in for rice or quinoa, adding a new dimension to your favorite bowls, salads, or as a hearty side. It pairs beautifully with chicken, absorbing all the savory notes while contributing its own earthy charm. This adaptability means you can easily weave it into your weekly meal plan, creating dishes that are both nourishing and exciting, without any fuss.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes farro different from other grains I might know? Farro is a truly special ancient grain, a type of wheat that has nourished people for centuries. What I find so lovely about it is its wonderfully chewy texture and a distinct, nutty flavor that’s quite different from, say, rice or quinoa. It brings a satisfying heartiness to meals and connects us to older food traditions, which I think is a beautiful way to cook with more intention.
I sometimes struggle with getting the texture of grains right. Any tips for cooking farro perfectly? Oh, I completely understand – getting that perfect texture can feel like a little kitchen victory! For farro, the key is a good rinse under cool water first, which helps wash away extra starch so the grains stay separate and fluffy. Then, use about two and a half to three parts liquid (water or broth) to one part farro. Simmer it gently until it's tender but still has a pleasant chew, and then—this is important—let it rest off the heat, covered, for about five minutes. This little pause allows the grains to firm up beautifully. And don't forget to season your cooking liquid with a good quality sea salt, like our Colima Sea Salt; it really awakens farro's natural taste.
I love the chicken farro idea, but how can I make it my own or adapt it for different tastes? That’s the wonderful thing about a recipe like this – it’s such a great starting point for your own creativity! You can easily swap in seasonal vegetables; think roasted butternut squash in the fall or crisp asparagus in the spring. If chicken isn't your preference, try it with chickpeas or white beans for a plant-based version, or even some flaky pan-seared fish. The nutty character of farro is quite accommodating, so feel free to experiment with proteins and veggies you truly enjoy.
What are some simple ways to really bring out the best flavors in a chicken farro dish? It’s often the little details that make a dish sing! Fresh herbs, like parsley or basil, stirred in at the end add such a vibrant lift. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a bit of zest can brighten all the other flavors wonderfully. I also adore the concentrated sweetness of sun-dried tomatoes. And, of course, finishing with a thoughtful sprinkle of a pure, mineral-rich salt, like our Colima Sea Salt, can truly make all those individual flavors pop and harmonize.
I'm always looking for wholesome meal ideas. What are the main benefits of adding farro to my diet? Farro is a fantastic choice if you're looking for ingredients that are both delicious and contribute to your well-being. It's a wonderful source of dietary fiber, which is so important for good digestion, and it also offers plant-based protein and energizing complex carbohydrates. This combination helps you feel satisfied and full for longer, which can be a gentle support for mindful eating. It’s a simple, wholesome grain that brings a lot of goodness to your table.
