Chicken and lentil meatball tacos recipe

Name: Chicken and lentil meatball tacos
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients: 390g tin green lentils in water, drained; 500g pack chicken mince; 15g taco seasoning (from a 30g sachet); 3 tbsp dried white breadcrumbs; 2 tbsp rapeseed oil; 1 large, ripe avocado; ½ lime, juiced; 8 crunchy taco shells; 150g chargrilled peppers (from a 285g jar), cut into strips; 200g pot fresh salsa; soured cream, to serve (optional)

This tasty Mexican-inspired tacos recipe is made with chicken mince and nutritious green lentils. Ready in just over half an hour and freezable, it would make a lovely lunch or speedy dinner and everyone will love loading their taco shells with all the trimmings!

See method

Serves 4
15 mins to prepare and 20 mins to cook
581 calories / serving

Freezable

Shop your ingredients

Tesco Green Lentils In Water 390G
390g tin green lentils in water, drained
£0.45
£1.15/kg DR.WT
Tesco Chicken Mince 5% Fat 500G
Aldi Price Match
500g pack chicken mince
£2.49
£4.98/kg
Tesco Taco Seasoning 30G
15g taco seasoning (from a 30g sachet)
£0.85
£28.33/kg
Tesco White Breadcrumbs 175G
3 tbsp dried white breadcrumbs
£1.25
£7.14/kg
Crisp 'N Dry 100% Rapeseed Oil 1L
2 tbsp rapeseed oil
£3.00
£3.00/litre
Tesco Ready To Eat Large Avocados Each
1 large, ripe avocado
£0.95
£0.95/each
Tesco Limes Each
Aldi Price Match
½ lime, juiced
£0.23
£0.23/each
Tesco Crunchy Taco Shells 12 Pack 150g
8 crunchy taco shells
£2.00
£13.33/kg
Aleyna Roasted Red Peppers 480G
Everyday Low Price
150g chargrilled peppers (from a 285g jar), cut into strips
£2.15
£6.72/kg DR.WT
Tesco Mild Salsa Dip 300G
Aldi Price Match
200g pot fresh salsa
£0.95
£3.17/kg
Tesco Soured Cream 300Ml
Aldi Price Match
soured cream, to serve (optional)
£0.85
£2.83/litre

Method

Pat dry the lentils with kitchen paper, then add to a large bowl with the mince, taco seasoning and breadcrumbs; mix well to combine. Use slightly wet hands to shape into 16 golf ball-sized meatballs.
Preheat the oven to gas 6, 200°C, fan 180°C. Heat 1 tbsp oil in large nonstick frying pan over a medium heat. Cook half the meatballs for 6-8 mins, turning frequently, until browned all over (see Cook's tip). Transfer to a lined baking tray, then repeat with the remaining oil and meatballs. Bake for 10-12 mins until cooked through.
Meanwhile, mash the avocado with the lime juice and a little black pepper. Serve the meatballs in the taco shells with the roasted peppers, avocado, a spoonful of salsa and a dollop of soured cream, if you like.

Tip: To avoid frying, preheat the oven to gas 6, 200°C, fan 180°C. Put the meatballs on a lined baking tray and bake for 18-20 mins.

See more Mexican recipes

Freezing and defrosting guidelines
Freeze meatballs only. In order to enjoy optimum flavour and quality, frozen items are best used within 3 months of their freezing date. For more tips on freezing and defrosting food, read our article Love Your Freezer.