Hearty Chicken Breast and Barley Salad
Hearty Chicken Breast and Barley Salad
No Salad Greens Needed! A Filling Chicken Breast and Barley Salad for a Complete Meal
Don’t worry if you don’t have salad greens on hand! This recipe uses chewy pearl barley and tender chicken breast to create a satisfying salad that’s perfect as a meal replacement. It’s an excellent choice for lunch or a light dinner! (Provided by Man de Recipe)
Main Ingredients- Pearl barley 1 cup (measured with a paper cup)
- Chicken breast 1 piece
- Red bell pepper 1/4
- Yellow bell pepper 1/4
- Black olives 2 Tbsp
- Cherry tomatoes 10
- Olive oil 4 Tbsp
- Lemon juice 3 Tbsp
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Sugar 1/2 Tbsp
Optional Add-ins- Baby greens, a handful (optional)
- Baby greens, a handful (optional)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, cook the pearl barley until tender, about 20-30 minutes, as you would cook rice. Once cooked, rinse the barley under cold running water and drain thoroughly. The chewy texture and nutty flavor of the pearl barley will enhance the salad’s taste.
Step 2
Remove the seeds from the red and yellow bell peppers and dice them into 1cm pieces. Halve the cherry tomatoes, removing their stems. These colorful vegetables will add freshness and vibrancy to your salad.
Step 3
Cut the chicken breast into 1cm cubes. It’s best to cut them into uniform pieces; if they’re too large, they might not cook evenly. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Step 4
Heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil in a lightly greased pan over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken breast and sauté until it turns golden brown. A tip for delicious chicken is to sear the outside while keeping the inside moist.
Step 5
In a clean bowl, combine the dressing ingredients: 4 Tbsp olive oil, 3 Tbsp refreshing lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and 1/2 Tbsp sugar for a touch of sweetness. Whisk well until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
Step 6
Now it’s time to bring everything together. In a large bowl, add the cooked pearl barley, diced bell peppers, halved cherry tomatoes, golden-brown sautéed chicken breast, and black olives. Pour the prepared dressing evenly over the ingredients.
Step 7
Finally, toss the salad gently to ensure all ingredients are well coated with the dressing. Sprinkle with black pepper for extra flavor. If desired, top with a handful of baby greens for a beautiful presentation. Your hearty chicken breast and barley salad is now complete! Enjoy your delicious and satisfying meal.
