Description
Chicken kofta brings Middle Eastern comfort right to your dinner table, turning simple ingredients into a flavor-packed meal that feels like a warm culinary hug. Tender spiced meat patties nestled in a silky garlic yogurt sauce make this dish a perfect weeknight dinner that connects you to traditional flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (for kofta)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (for sauce)
Herbs and Spices:
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Fresh dill or mint for garnish
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 small onion, finely grated
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Gather 1 lb. ground chicken, 1 small grated onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, and chopped herbs. Combine all ingredients thoroughly in a large mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of spices.
- Moisten your hands with cold water before forming 2-3 inch oval patties. Compact the mixture gently to help koftas hold their shape during cooking.
- Preheat a grill pan to 375°F with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Arrange koftas carefully, maintaining space between each piece for even cooking.
- Grill koftas for 5-7 minutes on the first side until golden edges appear. Flip and cook an additional 5-7 minutes, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- While koftas cook, whisk 1 cup Greek yogurt with 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and pinches of salt and pepper in a separate bowl.
- Transfer cooked koftas to a serving plate. Drizzle generously with creamy garlic yogurt sauce, allowing sauce to cascade over warm meat.
- Optional: Scatter fresh dill or mint leaves across the top for a bright, herbal finish that complements the rich flavors.
Notes
- Using wet hands prevents the chicken mixture from sticking and helps create smooth, uniform kofta shapes.
- Ground chicken can dry out quickly, so avoid overcooking and aim for a golden-brown exterior with a juicy interior.
- Experiment with spice levels by adjusting cayenne pepper – start with less and add more for heat lovers in your family.
- For a gluten-free version, serve the kofta over a bed of cauliflower rice or mixed greens instead of traditional accompaniments.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 252 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 302 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 88 mg