Spiced Chicken Kofta Recipe With Creamy Garlic Yogurt Sauce

Succulent chicken kofta promises a delightful journey through Middle Eastern flavors that dance on your palate.

Spices and herbs weave magic into every tender morsel, creating an experience far beyond ordinary meal preparations.

Comfort meets sophistication in this classic dish that easily transitions from weeknight dinners to special gatherings.

Perfectly seasoned and juicy, these koftas offer a delectable balance of texture and robust flavor profiles.

Mediterranean-inspired cooking feels effortless with this straightforward recipe that welcomes home cooks of all skill levels.

Creamy garlic yogurt sauce provides a cool counterpoint to the warmly spiced meat, ensuring each bite sparkles with complexity.

Your dining table will buzz with excitement as friends and family savor every delicious moment of this memorable meal.

What Makes Chicken Kofta With Garlic Yogurt Sauce A Favorite

• Easy Prep: Mixing and shaping these kofta takes just minutes, making dinner a breeze when your schedule feels packed.
• Flavor Adventure: The blend of spices like cumin and coriander transforms simple ground chicken into a seriously tasty meal that’ll surprise your taste buds.
• Versatile Dish: Serve these kofta with rice, pita, or salad – perfect for mixing up your weeknight dinner routine and keeping meals interesting.
• Crowd-Pleaser: The garlic yogurt sauce adds a creamy, tangy kick that makes this recipe a winner for family dinners or casual gatherings with friends.

Ingredient List For Chicken Kofta With Garlic Yogurt

• Ground Chicken (1 lb): Fresh and lean protein that forms the base of these delicious kofta.

• Onion (1 medium): Finely chopped to add sweetness and depth to the chicken mixture.
• Garlic Cloves (3): Minced to provide a robust, fragrant flavor throughout the kofta.
• Fresh Parsley (1/4 cup): Chopped to bring a bright, fresh note to the meat.

• Ground Cumin (1 tsp): Adds warm, earthy undertones to the chicken mixture.
• Ground Coriander (1 tsp): Provides a subtle, citrusy flavor profile.
• Salt (1 tsp): Enhances the overall taste of the kofta.
• Black Pepper (1/2 tsp): Gives a gentle heat and complexity to the meat.

• Plain Yogurt (1 cup): Creates a creamy, tangy base for the garlic sauce.
• Lemon Juice (2 tbsp): Adds a bright, zesty kick to the yogurt sauce.

• Olive Oil (2 tbsp): Used for grilling to prevent sticking and add a hint of flavor.

Required Kitchen Tools for Chicken Kofta With Garlic Yogurt Sauce

• Large Mixing Bowl: A spacious 4-5 quart bowl perfect for combining chicken and spices with plenty of room to mix thoroughly.
• Grill Pan or Outdoor Grill: A 12-inch cast-iron grill pan or standard outdoor grill for achieving those beautiful golden-brown marks on your kofta.
• Skewers (Optional): Flat metal or wooden skewers that help shape and support your kofta during grilling.
• Small Mixing Bowl: A 2-3 cup bowl for preparing your creamy garlic yogurt sauce with ease.
• Measuring Spoons: Standard measuring spoon set to ensure precise amounts of spices like cumin and salt.
• Sharp Knife: A chef’s knife for finely chopping fresh parsley and garlic.
• Cutting Board: A sturdy wooden or plastic board for safe and clean ingredient preparation.
• Tongs: Long-handled grilling tongs to safely flip and transfer kofta during cooking.
• Pastry Brush: A silicone brush to evenly oil your grill or grill pan before cooking.

How to Make Chicken Kofta With Garlic Yogurt Sauce

Little Things That Help With Chicken Kofta And Garlic Yogurt Sauce

• Get hands messy when blending chicken with spices, squeezing ingredients together ensures every bite has deep, balanced flavor.
• Dampening palms before shaping prevents chicken mixture from sticking and helps create smooth, uniform kofta shapes.
• Watch grill temperature closely – medium-high keeps kofta juicy while developing beautiful golden-brown exterior without burning.
• Taste garlic yogurt sauce before drizzling, adjusting lemon and salt to complement your kofta’s spice profile perfectly.
• Let kofta rest briefly after grilling so juices redistribute, creating more tender and succulent meat for your plate.

What Fresh Takes Enhance Chicken Kofta With Garlic Yogurt

• Vegetarian Kofta: Swap ground chicken for crumbled firm tofu or mashed chickpeas, keeping the same spice mix and forming into patties that grill perfectly crisp.
• Lamb Variation: Replace chicken with ground lamb for a richer, more intense flavor profile that still follows the original seasoning technique.
• Gluten-Free Option: Ensure all spices are certified gluten-free and serve the kofta over cauliflower rice or a fresh green salad instead of traditional grains.
• Spicy Mediterranean Kick: Add red pepper flakes or finely chopped jalapeños into the meat mixture for a fiery version that brings extra warmth to the classic recipe.

Serving Styles For Chicken Kofta With Yogurt Sauce

• Serve with Fresh Sides: Spread warm pita bread or fluffy rice alongside your kofta to soak up the tangy garlic yogurt sauce and complete your meal.
• Perfect Pairing Plate: Create a colorful Mediterranean platter with sliced cucumber, tomato, and red onion salad that adds fresh crunch next to your seasoned chicken.
• Sauce Drizzling Technique: Pour the creamy garlic yogurt sauce generously over the kofta, letting it cascade down the edges for maximum flavor in each bite.
• Wine and Dine Choice: Select a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Greek retsina to complement the herb-packed chicken and zesty sauce.

How To Store Chicken Kofta With Garlic Yogurt Sauce

• Refrigerate leftover kofta in an airtight container for up to 3 days, sealing in the flavor and keeping the meat tender and juicy.
• Freeze uncooked kofta mixture wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for about a month, perfect for quick meal prep when time gets short.
• Store the garlic yogurt sauce separately in a sealed container in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh for 2-3 days without losing its creamy texture.
• Cool cooked kofta completely before storing to prevent condensation and maintain that delicious crisp exterior you worked hard to achieve.

Chicken Kofta With Garlic Yogurt Sauce Q&A

Middle Eastern Chicken Kofta Yogurt Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 22-24 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savoring chicken kofta with friends brings pure joy right to your dinner table. Tangy garlic yogurt sauce creates the perfect companion for these tender, spiced meat morsels that dance with Middle Eastern flavor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 lb ground chicken

Aromatics and Herbs:

• 1 medium onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• ¼ cup fresh parsley

Seasonings and Sauce:

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

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Instructions

1. Gather ingredients and mix 1 lb ground chicken with finely chopped onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, ¼ cup chopped parsley, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp pepper in a large bowl. Blend thoroughly with your hands until everything is evenly distributed.
2. Dampen your hands with water to prevent sticking. Form the chicken mixture into 10-12 elongated oval shapes, ensuring each kofta is compact and uniform.
3. Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill to medium-high temperature, around 425°F. Brush the surface with 2 tbsp olive oil to prevent sticking and add flavor.
4. Place kofta on the heated grill, cooking for 5-6 minutes on the first side. Rotate carefully to create nice grill marks and ensure even cooking.
5. Flip kofta and cook an additional 5-6 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Check doneness by using a meat thermometer in the thickest part.
6. While kofta grills, whisk 1 cup plain yogurt with 2 tbsp lemon juice and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Add minced garlic for extra zesty flavor if desired.
7. Transfer grilled kofta to a serving platter. Drizzle generously with prepared yogurt sauce and sprinkle with additional fresh parsley for brightness.

Notes

• Keep hands slightly damp when shaping kofta to prevent the mixture from sticking and help create smooth, uniform shapes.
• Use ground chicken with a bit of fat (around 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio) for juicier, more flavorful kofta that won’t dry out during grilling.
• Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F, which guarantees safe and perfectly cooked kofta.
• For gluten-free version, serve with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of traditional grains and confirm all spices are certified gluten-free.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
• Category: Chicken
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 256 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 645 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 7 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg