Fun, handheld, and made for building, these Taco Chicken Meatball Walking Tacos bring a playful, food-truck favorite straight to the cafeteria line. Featuring NEW Zee Kitchen Taco Chicken Meatballs, crisp romaine, juicy diced tomatoes, black beans, shredded cheddar, and flavored tortilla chips served right in the bag, this recipe is built to serve 100 students with ease while delivering the hands-on, craveable experience they will not stop talking about.
Created by our chef–dietitian team and scaled specifically for school kitchens, this walking taco marks the debut of Zee Kitchen, our new sister brand to Zee Zees, built to bring creativity and fun to the center of the tray. It layers whole grain chips, protein-packed meatballs, and colorful vegetables into one interactive, grab-and-go meal, striking the perfect balance between familiar and exciting.
Each walking taco provides 2 M/MA, 1½ Grains, and ¾ cup Vegetables (¼ cup Dark Green, ¼ cup Red/Orange, and ¼ cup Legume), for a complete lunch students can hold in one hand.
MVP Ingredient Spotlight
The standout star of this craveable entrée is the NEW Zee Kitchen Taco Chicken Meatballs (#626250).
Part of Zee Kitchen’s Meatball for All line, available in Original, Taco, and Buffalo, these halal-friendly chicken meatballs are seasoned with the warm taco flavor kids recognize and credit as a full 2 M/MA per serving. Baked until hot and juicy, then dropped right on top at service, they turn a simple bag of chips into a center-of-the-tray moment worth lining up for.
As the hero of the Zee Kitchen launch, the Meatball for All line is built to anchor the meal with inclusive, kid-first thinking, making it easy to serve one consistent protein that works for more students. Beyond walking tacos, these meatballs are ready for subs, bowls, pasta, and more, bringing versatility to your menu all year long.
Why We Love It (And You Will Too)
It’s the kind of hands-on, build-it-yourself meal students will be raving about long after lunch, racing to the line every time it makes a return to the menu.
Here is why it works so well:
A fresh take on the center of the tray
As the debut recipe from Zee Kitchen, this walking taco reimagines a food-truck favorite for the cafeteria, bringing color, creativity, and fun to a meal kids already love.
Built for school kitchens
Scaled for 100 servings with simple assembly and no plates required, this recipe serves right from the bag for fast, low-mess service that keeps the line moving.
Inclusive by design
Made with halal-friendly Zee Kitchen Taco Chicken Meatballs, this recipe lets you serve one consistent protein for everyone, so more students feel the meal was made for them.
Customizable to your operation
Interactive and kid-approved
Serving the meal in the bag turns lunch into a hands-on experience, giving students a fun, personalized meal that helps drive participation.
Visual appeal at service
Bright romaine, red tomatoes, and melty cheddar layered under two hot meatballs make credited components easy to see and hard to resist on the line.
This craveable, center-of-the-tray favorite comes together with trusted, cafeteria-ready ingredients designed for scale and simplicity.
Here is what you will need for 100 servings:
Bring fun, flavor, and center-of-the-tray creativity to your lunch line with Taco Chicken Meatball Walking Tacos. Bake the Zee Kitchen Taco Chicken Meatballs at 350°F for about 20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F for at least 15 seconds, then hold hot for service. Pre-assemble each bag with ½ cup romaine, ¼ cup diced tomatoes, ¼ cup black beans, and ¾ oz shredded cheddar, then top with two hot meatballs just before serving.
The full Cafeteria Case Recipe card, complete with step-by-step instructions and serving guidance, is ready for you to download and put into action. From its warm taco-seasoned meatballs to its build-your-own, grab-and-go format, this entrée delivers the craveable fun students love with the operational ease you need.