Pan-seared chicken tenderloins and perfectly cooked farro form the basis of this healthy, one-bowl dinner topped with sautéed grape tomatoes, chunks of fresh mozzarella and fragrant basil.
Caprese Chicken Farro Bowl
This recipe combines chicken tenders, traditional Caprese Salad ingredients, and farro to make a healthy, one-dish dinner that's flavorful and easy to make.
Ingredients
- 12 chicken tenderloins, 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 lbs
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 tablespoons chiffonade of fresh basil
- 1/2 cup fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
- 1-1/2 tablespoons pine nuts, lightly toasted (optional)
For the Farro:
- 1-1/2 cups farro, semi-pearled or pearled
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- Water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the farro. Place the farro and chicken broth in a medium saucepan and add enough water to cover the farro by approximately 1-1/2 inches. Bring the mixture to a boil for 1 minute, stir, then reduce the heat to a moderate simmer.
- Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Test for doneness and season to taste, then continue cooking until the farro is cooked to your liking, 5 to 15 minutes longer. Drain any liquid that hasn’t been absorbed.
- Whisk the olive oil together with the balsamic vinegar and Dijon-style mustard. Drizzle over the cooked farro, combine well and set aside.
- While the farro cooks, trim any white tendons from the chicken tenderloins, season on both sides with salt and pepper and set aside.
- Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a large frying pan and heat over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook until the tenderloins are barely golden and cooked through, 1-1/2 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Add a bit more olive oil to the pan and reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion and sauté until soft and translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and continue cooking until fragrant, 1 to 1-1/2 minutes longer.
- Add the cherry tomatoes and combine well. Continue cooking, stirring often, until the cherry tomatoes are softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed and remove from the heat.
- To assemble the bowls, divide the farro between 4 serving bowls, add 3 chicken tenderloins to each along with a portion of the tomato-onion mixture. Top each bowl with basil, fresh mozzarella and toasted pine nuts. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Caprese Chicken Farro Bowl
Amount per Serving
Calories
605
% Daily Value*
Fat
23
g
35
%
Saturated Fat
5
g
31
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
16
g
Cholesterol
126
mg
42
%
Sodium
339
mg
15
%
Carbohydrates
45
g
15
%
Fiber
7
g
29
%
Sugar
8
g
9
%
Protein
57
g
114
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Have you tried this recipe?Did you add your own special touch? We’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment and a rating to share your thoughts with others.
Katie Turner says
This is absolutely delicious. Very fresh tasting and easy to make. The only thing we did differently than the recipe was that we didn’t cook the tomatoes, because we prefer them fresh. We just removed the onions and garlic from the pan after cooking, and stirred them together with the halved tomatoes.
Lynne Webb says
Hi Katie,
Glad to hear you liked the farro recipe. Leaving the tomatoes uncooked and simply tossing them with the sautéed garlic and onions is a great idea. Thanks for sharing with us!