RICE AND CHICKEN SALAD the quick, fresh summer recipe ready in no time!
Summer is the perfect season to rediscover the beauty of fresh, light dishes that can be prepared in a flash, leaving us more time to enjoy the sun and company.
But if time is tight and hunger strikes, how can we create something truly satisfying and complete? Today I have the answer for you: my Rice Salad with Chicken and Fresh Mozzarella!
Sometimes having “dinner-saving” ingredients ready, like a tasty chicken breast, can make the difference: it might be leftover from the night before or those already prepared found in the supermarket fridge.
This recipe was born to maximize practicality and flavor: we will use a base of rice and enrich it with the delicacy and proteins of chicken, the freshness and softness of mozzarella, the sweetness of tomatoes, and the savory, lively touch of olives and capers.
This salad is prepared in a few minutes, is nourishing without being heavy, and can be taken anywhere, from a picnic in the countryside to a lunch break at the office.
Its strength lies in its balance: a balanced mix of complex carbohydrates, proteins, and fibers, which will give you the right boost to face the rest of the day.
With this recipe, we will demonstrate once again that you can eat well, with taste, without stress and without spending hours at the stove.
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Affordable
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Cuisine: Italian
- Energy 330.79 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 18.75 (g) of which sugars 3.98 (g)
- Proteins 18.74 (g)
- Fat 20.96 (g) of which saturated 4.69 (g)of which unsaturated 3.51 (g)
- Fibers 1.30 (g)
- Sodium 442.17 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 6 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients CHICKEN AND RICE SALAD
- 2 cups Basmati rice, cooked
- 7 oz whole chicken, with skin, roasted (leftovers weight already cleaned)
- 4.5 oz mozzarella (fiordilatte drained weight)
- 7 oz cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes)
- 2.5 oz green olives (pitted)
- 1 tbsp pickled capers
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- to taste salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
- A few leaves basil (for garnish)
Tools
- Kitchen Scale
- Pot
- Small Bowl
- Bowl
Steps for RICE AND CHICKEN SALAD
If you do not have the rice already boiled and cold, cook it in plenty of salted water following the instructions on the package. Once cooked, drain very well and immediately pass it under cold running water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. This step is crucial to keeping the grains separate and having a fresh base for your salad. Let the rice drain in a strainer for a few minutes, ensuring it is well dry.
While the rice cools, focus on the other ingredients. Take the pre-prepared chicken breast and cut it into cubes of about 1-2 cm. Wash the cherry tomatoes thoroughly and cut them in half or quarters. Drain the mozzarella from its liquid and cut it into cubes. Rinse the capers under salt to remove excess salt and chop them slightly if they are very large. Cut the green pitted olives into rings or halves.
In a large bowl, combine the cold and well-drained rice with the chicken cubes, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, olives, and capers.
Now it’s time to bring your salad to life! Generously dress with extra virgin olive oil, adjust the salt, and grind plenty of fresh black pepper. If you like, add a teaspoon of dried oregano for an even more Mediterranean touch. Gently mix all the ingredients with a spoon or spatula, ensuring the dressing is evenly distributed.
Before serving, mix one last time and, if desired, garnish with a few fresh basil leaves. Your Chicken and Mozzarella Rice Salad is ready to be enjoyed!
INGREDIENT NOTES AND SUBSTITUTIONS
RICE: You can use any type of rice you love for cold salads: basmati, brown, parboiled, or even a specific salad rice. The important thing is that it is well-cooked al dente and then cooled.
PREPARED CHICKEN BREAST: Maximum practicality. You can use boiled or grilled chicken breast, which you will then mince or cut into cubes. Even leftover roast chicken would be fine.
TOMATOES: Cherry or grape tomatoes are perfect for their sweetness and size. Alternatively, you can use a salad tomato cut into cubes.
MOZZARELLA: Fiordilatte or bocconcini are ideal. If you don’t have it, you can omit it or substitute it with some cubes of fresh spun paste cheese.
GREEN OLIVES and CAPERS: They are essential for a Mediterranean flavor. Make sure to rinse the capers well under salt to not make the salad too salty.
STORAGE
This rice salad is fantastic to prepare in advance! It keeps perfectly in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 2-3 days. Indeed, the next day it is often even better because the flavors have had time to blend. If you add fresh basil, add it only when serving to keep it bright.
Recipe Alternatives and Variations
This Chicken and Mozzarella Rice Salad is already delicious as it is, but you can customize it with whatever you have or like most:
With Crunchy Vegetables: If available, I would add 50g of canned corn (drained and rinsed) for an extra sweet and crunchy note.
Extra Legumes: For an even more filling dish, you can add 80g of canned peas (well-drained) or 80g of canned chickpeas (drained and rinsed) to the ingredients.
Extra Aromatic Touch: You can include thinly sliced Tropea red onion (50g) or a teaspoon of fresh mint for a more lively scent.
Subtle Spiciness: A pinch of fresh or powdered chili pepper in the dressing will give it a lively touch.
Usage and Pairings
The Chicken and Mozzarella Rice Salad is a true summer joker:
Main Course: It is a complete and balanced meal, ideal for a light but nutritious lunch or a quick dinner.
Perfect for Lunch Box: Easy to transport and perfect for enjoying at the office, the beach, or a picnic.
Versatile Side Dish: It pairs well with simpler main courses or a dish of grilled vegetables.
Base for Buffet: It’s a great addition to a summer buffet or a robust aperitif.
Origins and History of the “Rice Salad” Recipe
The rice salad is a timeless classic of Italian cuisine, especially during the summer months. Its popularity is due to its practicality, versatility, and ability to be a fresh and nutritious one-dish meal.
Its origins are linked to the peasant tradition of using leftovers and combining cereals with fresh vegetables and legumes to create substantial and easy-to-carry meals for work in the fields. The version with chicken and mozzarella I propose today is a tribute to the typical flavors of our territory, revisited for maximum practicality and freshness. It’s a dish that celebrates the simplicity and richness of our diet, showing how humble ingredients can turn into an explosion of taste and freshness.
My Secret for an Unforgettable Rice Salad!
Do you want to know my trick to make this Chicken and Mozzarella Rice Salad even more special? It’s in the final dressing! Don’t be afraid to be generous with quality extra virgin olive oil: it’s what binds all the ingredients together and enhances the flavor. And a small touch of dried oregano (or fresh basil if you have it) added at the last minute makes the Mediterranean aromas explode. Try it and let me know in the comments what your secret ingredient is for a perfect rice salad! I’m curious!
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
1. Can I use brown rice for this recipe?
Yes, absolutely! Brown rice is a great alternative, richer in fiber and with a lower glycemic index. Just remember it has longer cooking times than white rice and a firmer texture, but the result will still be delicious and healthy.
2. What can I use if I don’t have pre-prepared chicken breast?
You can use boiled or grilled chicken breast, which you will then mince or cut into cubes. Even leftover roast chicken would be great; the important thing is that it is already cooked and cold.
3. Is this salad suitable for children?
Yes, it’s a great solution for kids too! It is colorful and rich in ingredients that children often like (such as chicken, mozzarella, and cherry tomatoes). If your children do not like capers or olives, you can omit them or add them only to the adults’ plate.
