Italian Chicken, Farro and Vegetable Skillet

Name: Italian Chicken, Farro and Vegetable Skillet
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 cups zucchini (chopped, about 2 small zucchini or 1 large); 1.5 cups red bell pepper (chopped, about 1 pepper); 1.5 cups shallots (sliced, about 3 large shallots); olive oil spray; 1 lb fat free ground chicken breast; 1 cup farro (dry, uncooked); 2 cups chicken broth; 14.5 oz diced tomatoes (canned); 1/4 cup basil (fresh); 1/4 cup parsley (fresh); 3 oz light mozzarella; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp paprika; 1/2 tsp onion powder; 1/2 tsp oregano

November 13, 2021 By Steph 90 Comments

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Italian Chicken, Farro and Vegetable Skillet is a perfectly well-rounded meal: this dish is packed with protein from ground chicken breast, hearty and satisfying vegetables, and whole grains from farro. It’s even topped with delicious, melty cheese. I mean, there’s really not much to dislike here, and this dish couldn’t be easier to make. Packed with flavor and nutrients, this dish makes eating healthy also delicious.

All about this Italian skillet; ideal for meal prep

This Italian Chicken, Farro and Vegetable Skillet is ideal for meal prep because it is easy to prepare, and reheats really well. It is packed with protein and nutrients, from the lean ground chicken breast, to the cups and cups of filling veggies, to the nutrient-dense farro. Each layer of this dish is seasoned and packed with flavor. Topped with melted mozzarella cheese and fresh herbs, this dish is simple but with elevated flavors.

What is farro?

Farro is more than just a grain. It is high-fiber, high-protein, and whole grain. Farro is similar to barley, so if you can’t find farro in your store, barley is a great substitute. It is naturally nutrient-rich, low in fat, and low in cholesterol. Based on all of these factors, farro is really a great base for a delicious grain bowl or grain-based salad. Because of the properties of farro, this farro salad is not filled with empty calories, and will not leave you feeling hungry. You see, eating protein and fiber-rich foods is a great way to stay fuller longer and really fuel your body. This is a meal you can feel really good about eating. The ingredients are clean, nutritious, and most of all, delicious.

What other ingredients will I need for this recipe?

zucchini
red bell pepper
shallots
ground chicken breast
uncooked farro
chicken broth
kosher salt
garlic powder
paprika
Italian seasoning
onion powder
oregano
canned diced tomatoes
fresh basil
fresh parsley
reduced fat mozzarella

How to make Italian Chicken, Farro and Vegetable Skillet

Cooking the farro

This part takes the longest for this recipe, so let’s talk about that first. Cooking farro is so easy, you can leave it alone to do it’s thing. First, rinse the farro under cold water in a strainer. Then, add it to a small saucepan with the chicken broth (the ratio of farro to liquid is 1:2). Bring the pot to a boil, and then reduce to simmer, and cover with the lid. Cook the farro for 20-25 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed, and the farro is tender.

Cooking the vegetables and chicken

To cook the vegetables and chicken, start out by chopping and slicing the vegetables. Prepare the spice mixture, which will be used for both the vegetables and chicken. Add the chopped vegetables to a large frying pan sprayed with olive oil. Add 2 teaspoons of the spice blend, and cook the vegetables for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove the vegetables from the pan and add them to a bowl. Next, add the chicken to the same pan with more olive oil spray. Break the chicken up with a wooden spoon, and add 3 teaspoons of the spice mixture. Cook the chicken until it is no longer pink. Then, add the diced tomatoes and bring the mixture to a simmer; cook for about 5 minutes.

Stir in the cooked farro and vegetables, followed by the herbs. Next, top with the mozzarella cheese and cover the pan for the cheese to melt.