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Rice Salad with Chicken and Asparagus
© Melanie Acevedo

Rice Salad with Chicken and Asparagus

Contributed by Quick From Scratch Italian
  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME:
  • SERVINGS: 4
  • FAST
  • MAKE-AHEAD

The rice soaks up the dressing as the salad sits, so if you make it more than half an hour ahead, it may dry out. In that case, just add some extra oil and lemon juice.

  1. 1/3 cup pine nuts
  2. 5 tablespoons wine vinegar
  3. 1 clove garlic, minced
  4. 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  5. 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  6. 2 teaspoons salt
  7. 3/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
  8. 9 tablespoons olive oil
  9. 2 cups rice, preferably arborio
  10. 1 pound asparagus, tough ends snapped off and discarded, stems cut into 1/4-inch pieces, tips left whole
  11. 1 1/3 pounds boneless chicken thighs (about 6)
  12. 1 large tomato, cut into 1/2-inch dice
  13. 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  1. In a small frying pan, toast the pine nuts over moderately low heat, stirring frequently, until they are golden brown, about 5 minutes. Or toast in a 350° oven for 5 to 10 minutes.
  2. In a small glass or stainless-steel bowl, using a fork, stir together the vinegar, garlic, lemon juice, mustard, 1 1/4 teaspoons of the salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper. Stir in the oil.
  3. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the rice until almost tender, about 10 minutes. Add the asparagus and cook until it and the rice are both done, about 5 minutes longer. Drain, rinse with cold water, and drain again. Transfer to a large glass or stainless-steel bowl.
  4. Meanwhile, in a large frying pan, bring 1/4 inch of water to a simmer over moderately high heat. Sprinkle the chicken with the remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and add to the pan. Cover, reduce the heat, and simmer, turning once, until cooked through, about 8 minutes. Remove the chicken, let cool slightly, and then cut into 1/2-inch chunks. Add to the rice and asparagus.
  5. Add the tomato and red onion to the rice and then toss the salad with the dressing. Stir in the pine nuts just before serving.

Suggested Pairing

Vinegar and asparagus are hard to match with wine, but Sauvignon Blanc can handle both. Look for one from Friuli, Alto Adige, or Collio.