Description
Chicken kofta comes together as a delightful Middle Eastern treat that makes your dinner table sing with flavor. Grilled spiced chicken meatballs paired with cool garlic yogurt sauce deliver a simple yet satisfying meal your family will devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Protein:
- 1 lb ground chicken
Herbs and Spices:
- ¼ cup fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 small onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- ½ tablespoons olive oil
Garlic Yogurt Sauce:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
Serving Components:
- Pita bread or flatbread
- Sliced cucumbers
- Sliced tomatoes
- Sliced red onion
- Fresh parsley or mint
- Optional: crumbled feta
- Optional: pickled onions
Instructions
- Blend ground chicken with finely grated onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, cinnamon, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper in a mixing bowl. Mix gently to keep the meat tender.
- Divide the chicken mixture into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion between your palms to create uniform oblong shapes about 3 inches long.
- Preheat a skillet or grill pan to medium-high heat at 400°F. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to the pan’s surface.
- Carefully place the kofta logs into the hot pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, rotating to ensure even browning and reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
- While koftas cook, whisk 1 cup Greek yogurt with 1 finely grated garlic clove, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
- Transfer cooked koftas to a plate. Warm pita bread in the same pan for 30 seconds per side.
- Spread yogurt sauce generously on warm pita. Arrange koftas on top, then garnish with sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and fresh parsley.
- Drizzle additional yogurt sauce over the koftas. Serve immediately while everything is warm and fresh.
Notes
- Always mix the kofta ingredients gently to keep the meat tender and prevent a tough texture.
- Pat the ground chicken mixture dry before shaping to help the koftas brown nicely and hold their shape.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F for safe eating without overcooking.
- The garlic yogurt sauce can be prepared ahead and refrigerated for up to two days, allowing the flavors to blend and intensify.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 332 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg