Barley Salad with Chicken and Giardiniera - Lidia

Ingredients

• 1 cup pearl barley
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 8 ounces each)
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed and peeled
• 1 lemon, zest removed in strips with a vegetable peeler and juiced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup coarsely chopped drained prepared giardiniera
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 cups loosely packed baby spinach
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves