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Mediterranean Chicken Farro Bowl

A hearty bowl of nutty farro, lemon-garlic pan-seared chicken and bright Mediterranean veggies, finished with feta and a tangy herb dressing—comforting, fresh, and easy to make any night of the week.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

Grain & Chicken

  • 1 cup pearled farro (dry)
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 medium)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking chicken)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Salad & Toppings

  • 1 English cucumber, diced
  • 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced (about 1/3 cup)
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 4 oz crumbled feta cheese
  • 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Dressing & Seasoning

  • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1 1/2 lemons)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp sumac adds bright, lemony tang
  • 3/4 tsp kosher salt, divided
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, divided

Instructions

Preparation Steps

  • Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil and add the farro. Simmer until tender but still chewy, about 20–25 minutes for pearled farro. Drain and return to the pot off the heat.
  • While the farro cooks, combine 1 tablespoon olive oil, minced garlic, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and the dried oregano in a shallow dish. Add chicken breasts and turn to coat; let sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and sear the chicken 5–7 minutes per side until golden and an instant-read thermometer reads 160°F. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 8 minutes (carryover will bring it to ~165°F).
  • While the chicken rests, toast the pine nuts in a small dry skillet over medium, stirring, until fragrant and lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Set aside.
  • Whisk together the remaining olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, the sumac, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to make the dressing.
  • Toss the hot drained farro with half the dressing so the grain absorbs flavor and cools slightly. Fold in chopped parsley to distribute freshness through the grain.
  • Cut rested chicken into slices. In a large bowl, combine the dressed farro, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and olives. Add the chicken slices on top and drizzle remaining dressing over the assembled bowl.
  • Scatter crumbled feta and toasted pine nuts over each serving. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra lemon juice, salt, or pepper if needed, then serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Tip: Make the farro and dressing ahead and refrigerate; rewarm farro gently and toss with fresh parsley before assembling for a quick weeknight bowl. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for 3 days—store dressing separately if you prefer a firmer texture.
This recipe is an original creation inspired by classic Mediterranean Chicken Farro Bowl flavors. All ingredient ratios and instructions are independently developed.