Greek Chicken and Barley Salad

WiGal's Note:

Posting for ZWT#6. From CookingLight contributor Suzanne Rumsey of Fort Wayne, Indiana who won $5000 for this recipe! What would YOU do if you won that money? :) A make ahead and time does not include chilling time. It says 8 servings but think they might be pretty small portions.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 55 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

SALAD

• 2 (6 ounce) skinless chicken breasts, boneless
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 4 cups chicken broth, DIVIDED
• 1 cup pearl barley, uncooked
• 2 cups cucumbers, seeded cubed
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup yellow bell pepper, cubed
• 1/3 cup reduced-fat feta cheese
• 1/4 cup kalamata olive, pitted chopped

DRESSING

• 3 tablespoons light extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon rind, grated
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced
• 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 garlic cloves, minced

Directions:

1. To prepare salad, sprinkle chicken with 1/8 teaspoon salt.
2. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add chicken; cook 2 minutes on each side or until browned.
4. Add 1 cup broth; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until done.
5. Cool; shred chicken.
6. Discard broth.
7. Bring 3 cups broth to a boil in a large saucepan; add barley.
8. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 35 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
9. Fluff with a fork.
10. Cool.
11. Combine chicken, barley, cucumber, and next 4 ingredients (through olives) in a large bowl.
12. To prepare dressing, combine 3 tablespoons oil, rind, and remaining ingredients; stir well.
13. Add to barley mixture; toss well.
14. Cover and chill.

Reviews

[Deantini]

This salad was just wonderful and filling (if you eat a bit more than the 'serving size'. I also added red onions and omitted olives (dont like them), increased the feta a bit. The flavours all come together well for a filling and healthy meal!

[Scoutie]

I can see why this won a prize, it's delish! I love the citrus in the dressing, in fact, I doubled the dressing. I also added some finely chopped red onion and used red and yellow peppers as that is what I had in the garden that I needed to use up. Oh, also used regular fat feta, cuz that is what we like. : ) I could see making this with tuna instead of the chicken as well. A great summer dish, thanks for posting, WiGal.

[evelyn/athens]

Lovely and fresh and good for you! I had cooked the barley the night before and bought a rotisserie chicken, so this recipe literally came together in minutes. Everything was so good - filled you up without stuffing you up. Thanks for a great recipe.