Lentils with Chicken
A healthy, filling, incredibly tasty dish - everyone will love it! Lentils with chicken are both delicious and nutritious because they contain lots of protein. They’re quick and easy to cook. Slightly sweet with a light nutty aroma, lentils pair perfectly with vegetables and tender fillet. You can also add bell pepper or paprika.
Updated : 23 January, 2026
Easy
About 20 min.
Ingredients
200 grams
Lentils
400 milliliters
Water
200 grams
Chicken fillet
1
Carrot
1
Onions
3 tablespoon
Vegetable oil
1
Garlic
to taste
Salt
1
Laurel leaf
to taste
Herb mix
0.5 teaspoon
Basil
Table
Table of volume measurements:
- teaspoon - 5 ml
- dessert spoon - 10 ml
- tablespoon - 20 ml
- glass - 200 ml
Preparation
Step 1
How to make lentils with chicken? Prepare the ingredients. Any lentils will work: red, green, or yellow.
Step 2
Peel the onion, rinse it, and dice into small cubes.
Step 3
Peel the carrot, rinse it, and dice into small cubes.
Step 4
Rinse the chicken fillet and pat dry. Cut into small pieces.
Step 5
Peel the garlic and chop finely. Choose the size as you like: mince it, press it, or slice it. Lightly heat vegetable oil in a skillet. Add the garlic and gently sauté it in the oil for about 1 minute until fragrant. I removed the garlic from the skillet. If you want to keep it, add it together with the vegetables in step 8.
Step 6
Increase the heat. Add the chicken pieces to the skillet. Sear the fillet over medium-high heat until golden.
Step 7
Turn the pieces occasionally so they brown evenly on all sides. Lightly salt the chicken.
Step 8
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the prepared onion and carrot to the meat and stir. Sauté the vegetables with the meat, stirring occasionally, until half-cooked. Add aromatic herbs. Any spices you like will work well with lentils.
Step 9
Cover the skillet with a lid and cook the vegetables until soft.
Step 10
Meanwhile, cook the lentils. They don’t need soaking. Rinse the lentils well. In a suitable pot, add cold water in a 1:2 ratio. For example, for 1 cup lentils use 2 cups water. Bring to a boil. Skim off any foam that forms.
Step 11
Add a clean bay leaf to the pot. Simmer gently until all the water is absorbed. Stir occasionally so the lentils don’t stick to the bottom. If the water has absorbed but the lentils are still firm, add a little more hot water. The lentils will become soft and tender and take on a golden color.
Step 12
Near the end of cooking, salt the lentils. Cooking time depends on your stove and the type of lentils. Red lentils usually need about 15 minutes. You can leave some lentils partially broken down, as I did, or cook a bit longer until thicker, almost purée-like.
Step 13
Add the lentils to the skillet with the meat and vegetables, stir, and warm over low heat for about 5 minutes. Cover and let the dish stand for another 5-10 minutes so the lentils absorb the aroma and flavor of the seasonings and vegetables.
Step 14
Portion the lentils with chicken onto plates and serve. Enjoy!
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