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Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce

Savory Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce You'll Love

This Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce is an irresistible weeknight dinner that elevates your culinary experience.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 4 pieces
Course: Dinner Ideas
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Kofta Ingredients
  • 1 pound Ground chicken use dark meat or a mix of breast and thigh for added juiciness
  • 1 medium Onion finely grated or minced, squeeze out excess moisture
  • 2 cloves Garlic adjust based on preference
  • ¼ cup Fresh parsley chopped
  • ¼ cup Fresh cilantro optional
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika or regular paprika
  • ½ teaspoon Ground turmeric optional
  • ½ teaspoon Ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Salt adjust to taste
  • ½ teaspoon Ground cinnamon or allspice, optional
  • ¼ cup Plain breadcrumbs or panko
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil for shaping
  • 1 tablespoon Neutral oil for pan-frying
Garlic Yogurt Sauce
  • 1 cup Plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 clove Garlic finely grated or pressed
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon Extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1-2 tablespoons Cold water to thin the sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt adjust to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon Ground black pepper or white pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh herbs dill, mint, or parsley, optional
For Serving
  • 4 pieces Warm pita bread or flatbread
  • 1 cup Sliced cucumbers
  • 1 cup Sliced tomatoes
  • 1 medium Thinly sliced red onion
  • ¼ cup Fresh herbs parsley, mint, or cilantro
  • 1 lemon Lemon wedges
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil for garnish
  • 1 teaspoon Sumac or paprika for garnish

Equipment

  • mixing bowl
  • Skillet
  • oven
  • Grill
  • Whisk
  • baking sheet

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Prep the Aromatics: Finely grate or mince the onion, squeeze out moisture. Mince garlic and chop parsley and cilantro.
  2. Mix the Chicken Kofta Base: In a bowl, combine ground chicken, onion, garlic, parsley, and cilantro. Add spices and breadcrumbs, mix until cohesive.
  3. Adjust Texture and Chill: Add breadcrumbs if the mix is too wet, shape a test kofta for consistency, cover, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
  4. Shape the Kofta: Oil hands and shape the mixture into ovals, meatballs, or patties. For skewers, mold around soaked wooden skewers.
  5. Make the Garlic Yogurt Sauce: Whisk yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper, add water for consistency, chill while cooking kofta.
  6. Cook the Kofta – Pan-Frying: Heat neutral oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, and cook kofta for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
  7. Cook the Kofta – Oven Method: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C), arrange kofta on lined baking sheet, brush with oil, bake for 15-20 minutes.
  8. Cook the Kofta – Grill Method: Preheat grill to medium-high, lightly oil grates, grill kofta for 3-4 minutes on each side until firm and charred.
  9. Rest the Kofta: Allow kofta to rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking for juices to redistribute.
  10. Assemble and Serve: Place kofta on a platter, drizzle with yogurt sauce, garnish with fresh herbs, and serve with sides.

Nutrition

Serving: 1koftaCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 20gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 300mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 1.5mg

Notes

Use fresh herbs and spices for the best flavor. Chill the mixture to improve texture.

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