Cilantro Chicken Timbale with Cottage Cream and Cumin Red Lentils

Name: Cilantro Chicken Timbale with Cottage Cream and Cumin Red Lentils
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Fusión mediterránea
Ingredients: 17.6 oz chicken breast; 3/4 cup dry red lentils; 1 cup cottage cheese; 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt; 3.5 oz onion; 2 cloves garlic; 2 cups chicken broth or water; 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tsp lemon zest; 1/2 cup fresh cilantro; 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp sweet paprika; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 4.2 oz cucumber; 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds

An original high-protein recipe featuring layers of juicy cilantro-lime chicken, a smooth cottage cheese cream, and a warm base of cumin-spiced red lentils. It is comforting, light, and elegant enough for lunch or dinner.

20 minPrep

30 minCook

50 minTotal

4Servings

High ProteinGluten-FreeDiabetic-Friendly

Important notice: This recipe is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional.

Ingredients

Adjust servings

500 g chicken breast (cut diced small)
160 g dry red lentils (enjuagadas)
220 g cottage cheese (preferiblemente low en grasa)
120 g plain Greek yogurt (without sugar)
100 g onion (chopped fina)
10 g garlic (chopped)
480 ml chicken broth or water (for cocer the lentejas)
22 ml olive oil (divided)
30 ml lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
2 g lemon zest (solo the parte amarilla)
20 g fresh cilantro (chopped, more extra for decorar)
4 g ground cumin
2 g sweet paprika
6 g salt (or to taste)
2 g black pepper (freshly ground)
120 g cucumber (en cubitos small for servir)
20 g pumpkin seeds (tostadas)

Nutrition facts

per serving

372 kcal

Calories

41 g

Protein

19 g

Carbs

14 g

Fat

5 g

Fiber

14 g

Net carbs

Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Allergens

Dairy

Instructions

1
Preheat the oven to 200 °C / 400 °F. Have 4 lightly greased oven-safe plating rings or ramekins ready, using a little of the olive oil.
2
Heat a medium saucepan with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in half of the chopped garlic, 1 teaspoon of the cumin, and the sweet paprika, and cook for 30 seconds.
3
Add the red lentils and the chicken broth or water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender and creamy. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a pinch of black pepper.
4
While the lentils cook, combine the cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, lemon zest, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro in a bowl. Blend with an immersion blender or mash very well until thick and smooth. Set aside.
5
Heat a large skillet with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, the rest of the garlic, the rest of the cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the remaining black pepper. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until the chicken is golden and almost fully cooked.
6
Remove the skillet from the heat and add the remaining lemon juice along with the rest of the fresh cilantro. Mix well so the chicken becomes fragrant and juicy.
7
Assemble the timbales by placing a layer of red lentils in the bottom of each mold, then a layer of chicken, and finishing with a layer of cottage cream. Divide everything evenly among the 4 portions.
8
Bake the timbales for 8 to 10 minutes at 200 °C / 400 °F, just until heated through and the top looks lightly set.
9
Meanwhile, toss the diced cucumber with a small pinch of salt. Lightly toast the pumpkin seeds in a dry skillet for 1 to 2 minutes if they are not already toasted.
10
Carefully unmold each timbale, finish with the cucumber, pumpkin seeds, and a little more fresh cilantro on top, and serve hot.

Chef tips

For a firmer texture, let the timbales rest for 3 minutes before unmolding. If you want a more golden finish, broil for 1 to 2 minutes while watching closely.

Substitutions

You can replace the chicken with turkey in the same amount. Cottage cheese can be swapped for thick whipped fresh cheese, and pumpkin seeds can be replaced with sunflower seeds if preferred.

What I used to make it

Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.

Illustrative image
Ninja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
View on Amazon
Illustrative image
Cosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
View on Amazon
Illustrative image
TempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
View on Amazon