Lean chicken breasts and chewy farro give this spinach salad a major boost of protein to give you long lasting energy.
My Spinach Power Salad with Chicken and Farro is my husband’s favorite make-ahead brown bag lunch. In fact, once I made it for him the first time he started requesting it on a weekly basis. As a healthy food blogger with a picky husband, I can’t tell you how much joy this brings me.
Creating his lunches for the week has actually become a bit of a Sunday afternoon ritual for the two of us. We love being in the kitchen together and I love seeing him take charge with these salads. He always picks out his favorite veggies and asks for different grains each week. On this particular day we used farro but wheat berries and spelt also do a great job of maintaining their chewy, nutty texture throughout the week.
If you’ve never tried farro, I encourage you to give it a try. Packed with protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals, this ancient grain is an affordable and versatile source of energy. We love it with stir fry instead of brown rice or as a quick side dish in my Greek Style Farro Salad.
We almost always have leftover cooked chicken breasts on hand (we even used leftover tandoori chicken once!) but any lean protein works including pork tenderloin, tuna, flank steak, you name it. The salad is hearty enough to dress ahead of time but I always recommend waiting until you’re ready to serve.
What is your favorite make-ahead lunch idea? I would love to hear from you.
Your fork is waiting.
Spinach Power Salad with Chicken and Farro
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked Bob's Red Mill farro
- 10 cups baby spinach or any baby greens
- 10 ounces thinly sliced leftover chicken breasts
- 2 cups shredded carrots
- 2 cups mushroom slices
- 2 cups red pepper slices
Balsamic Vinaigrette
- 6 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Prepare farro according to package instructions and set aside to cool.
- Place spinach in a large bowl or 5 individual travel containers. Top with chicken slices, carrots, mushrooms, red pepper slices and cooled farro.
- In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinaigrette. Drizzle over salad bowl if you plan to serve immediately. Otherwise, place in a travel container and dress individual salads as needed throughout the week.
Notes
Feel free to mix and match toppings with whatever veggies or leftover meat you have on hand.
Nutrition Information:
Disclaimer: I am honored to be a paid Bob’s Red Mill Ambassador. Thank you for supporting the brands that make The Lemon Bowl possible. As always, all thoughts are 100% my own.
Micheke & Fredie
March 22, 2014 at 3:21 pmBoth of us started eating clean. Going to try this salad, hoping the hype is as good as everyone here is making it to be. Thank you
Liz DellaCroce
March 23, 2014 at 4:32 pmI hope you like it!! :)
Aggie
March 20, 2014 at 6:51 amI was inspired by you when you originally posted pics on Instagram and have been making Larry a version of this salad for lunch last couple weeks! No farro, but I do love farro! I could eat this for lunch every day, especially if it was ready to go!
Liz DellaCroce
March 20, 2014 at 12:16 pmOh I love that!! Rich is still taking these to work every week!! Makes me so happy. :)
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking
March 19, 2014 at 4:17 pmThese salads look so colorful, healthy and delicious, Liz! I love that you and hubby have a Sunday ritual of preparing them for the week, too!
Liz DellaCroce
March 19, 2014 at 4:31 pmAww thank you so much Georgia! Hope you’re feeling good!
Laurie {Simply Scratch}
March 19, 2014 at 2:01 pmI love making salads in advanced. It saves me from making a less healthier lunch of cheese and crackers! This looks so good Liz and I love farro!
Liz DellaCroce
March 19, 2014 at 4:31 pmOmg I love cheese and crackers – hahah!! Totally agree though. :)
Amy | Club Narwhal
March 19, 2014 at 12:29 pmLiz, this looks phenomenal! I’ve only had farro in things like soup but I love the idea of using in salad to bulk things up and make it more filling.
Liz DellaCroce
March 19, 2014 at 4:31 pmI need to add it to soup more often!!
Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg
March 19, 2014 at 8:04 amI’ve been meaning to try farro. Now I think I will ’cause this salad looks so healthy and delicious.
I haven’t tried freekeh yet either. Have you?
Liz DellaCroce
March 19, 2014 at 4:32 pmNo but I want to!!
Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps
March 18, 2014 at 11:21 pmI’m so into faro right now, it’s officially replaced quinoa in my book, but I’ve never thought to use it in a salad. I like!
Liz DellaCroce
March 19, 2014 at 4:32 pmYou and me both Nicole!
Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog
March 18, 2014 at 3:37 pmWow-this looks fantastic! My mom (who is an amazing cook) used to make farro for us all the time, and I haven’t had it since I was a kid, so I’m definitely going to have to try it in the super yummy looking protein salad!
Liz DellaCroce
March 18, 2014 at 8:22 pmShe did?? That’s so cool!! Your mom rocks!
Kathy at kissing the frog
March 18, 2014 at 3:00 pmLooks yummy – is farro gluten free?
Liz DellaCroce
March 18, 2014 at 8:23 pmI’m afraid it’s not Kathy – it is a type of wheat. You could use quinoa instead. :)
Kathy at kissing the frog
March 20, 2014 at 10:42 amGreat idea, Liz – thanks!
julia
March 18, 2014 at 1:12 pmI love a good healthy salad!! This looks wonderful. I have been trying to eat salads a lot more to help loose the baby weight and this would mix things up.
Liz DellaCroce
March 18, 2014 at 1:25 pmLet me know what you think!! I have another yummy Lebanese salad coming up soon. :)
Ali | Gimme Some Oven
March 18, 2014 at 12:16 pmMmmm, I’m obsessed with farro lately. This salad sounds yummy!
Liz DellaCroce
March 18, 2014 at 1:25 pmI am too! Why is it so dang good?!
Courtney @ Neighborfood
March 17, 2014 at 10:43 pmI love having grains in a salad. Definitely ups the hearty factor. I’m loving this particular combo. Can’t wait to try it!
Liz DellaCroce
March 18, 2014 at 1:25 pmExactly!! Makes it more satisfying. :)
Gaby
March 17, 2014 at 5:23 pmI would love this fabulous salad for lunch!
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite
March 17, 2014 at 12:24 pmI need to start using farro more often. Love this salad.
Liz DellaCroce
March 17, 2014 at 9:07 pmI like to make a big batch every Sunday and use it throughout the week in various places. So good!
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living
March 17, 2014 at 11:56 amLoving this bowl of all good stuff Liz!
Liz DellaCroce
March 17, 2014 at 12:06 pmI knew you’d approve!!
Cookin Canuck
March 17, 2014 at 8:36 amFarro is one of our favorite grains, and we love making salads like this, too…with lots of “goodies” in them, as we say. This combination is one to try!
Liz DellaCroce
March 17, 2014 at 12:06 pmI am all about the goodies in a salad!! Life is too short for boring salads. :)
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
March 17, 2014 at 7:35 amI just tried farro the other day and it is delish! It was at a restaurant though, and I have never made it at home so i will have to try this. Love this simple and healthy salad Liz! Pinned
Liz DellaCroce
March 17, 2014 at 12:06 pmLet me know what you think!