15-MINUTE CHICKEN, RICE AND GRAPE SALAD

15-Minute Chicken, Rice and Grape Salad image

Brown rice makes a nutty, chewy base for this salad and is a nice foil for sweet grapes and fresh greens. Using frozen precooked rice makes the whole dish doable in 15 minutes. The creamy dressing comes together quickly in the blender.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 15m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

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Ingredients

3 cups store-bought frozen precooked or leftover brown rice
1/2 cup 2 percent Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon zest, plus 2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 small shallot, roughly chopped
1 small clove garlic, roughly chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup walnut pieces
1/2 rotisserie chicken, skin removed and meat shredded (about 3 cups)
2 cups small seedless red grapes
1/2 cup loosely packed flat-leaf parsley leaves
4 cups loosely packed baby spinach

Steps:

Put the frozen rice in a medium glass mixing bowl, and break it up using a fork. Drape a damp paper towel directly over the rice, and microwave until the rice is warmed through and softened, 2 to 3 minutes.
Meanwhile, puree the yogurt, oil, lemon zest and juice, mayonnaise, shallots, garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small food processor or a blender until smooth. Toast the walnuts in a small skillet over medium heat until fragrant and just starting to brown, about 2 minutes.
Combine the chicken, grapes, parsley and spinach in a large bowl, and toss with half the dressing. Add the warmed rice and toasted walnuts, toss again and serve with the remaining dressing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 580 calorie, Fat 32 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Cholesterol 55 milligrams, Sodium 850 milligrams, Carbohydrate 54 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 23 grams, Sugar 14 grams