Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken Avocado Orzo Salad with Honey Mustard Bacon Dressing.

Author: Tieghan Gerard

 

Yields1 Serving
DRESSING
  cup extra virgin olive oil
 3 tbsp honey
 3 tbsp grainy dijon mustard
 juice of 1 lemon
 2 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
 ½ cup mixed herbs, chopped (rosemary, oregano, basil)
 1 small shallot, grated
 2 cloves garlic grated
 kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes
SALAD
 ¾ lb boneless skinless chicken tenders
 1 bell pepper, quartered
 1 lb dry orzo pasta
 1 cup cubed cheddar cheese
 ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)
 shredded red leaf lettuce
 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
 6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
 1 avocado, sliced
1

To make the dressing. Combine all ingredients in a glass jar and whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper.

2

In a large bowl, toss the chicken with 1/3 of the dressing. Let sit 10 minutes. Set your grill, grill pan, or skillet to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken until lightly charred and cooked through, turning halfway through cooking, about 10 to 12 minutes. During the same time, grill the bell pepper, until lightly charred, then chop.

3

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the orzo to al dente, according to package directions. Drain. Add the hot orzo, cheddar cheese, blue cheese, and 1/3 of the dressing, toss to combine. Add the chicken, grilled peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, and bacon, tossing to combine.

4

Top the pasta with avocado. Season with freshly cracked pepper and salt. Serve warm or cold.

Ingredients

DRESSING
  cup extra virgin olive oil
 3 tbsp honey
 3 tbsp grainy dijon mustard
 juice of 1 lemon
 2 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
 ½ cup mixed herbs, chopped (rosemary, oregano, basil)
 1 small shallot, grated
 2 cloves garlic grated
 kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes
SALAD
 ¾ lb boneless skinless chicken tenders
 1 bell pepper, quartered
 1 lb dry orzo pasta
 1 cup cubed cheddar cheese
 ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)
 shredded red leaf lettuce
 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
 6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
 1 avocado, sliced

Directions

1

To make the dressing. Combine all ingredients in a glass jar and whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper.

2

In a large bowl, toss the chicken with 1/3 of the dressing. Let sit 10 minutes. Set your grill, grill pan, or skillet to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken until lightly charred and cooked through, turning halfway through cooking, about 10 to 12 minutes. During the same time, grill the bell pepper, until lightly charred, then chop.

3

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the orzo to al dente, according to package directions. Drain. Add the hot orzo, cheddar cheese, blue cheese, and 1/3 of the dressing, toss to combine. Add the chicken, grilled peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, and bacon, tossing to combine.

4

Top the pasta with avocado. Season with freshly cracked pepper and salt. Serve warm or cold.

Notes

Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken Avocado Orzo Salad with Honey Mustard Bacon Dressing.