Description
Juicy Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce – tender, flavorful Middle Eastern-style chicken kofta seasoned with cumin, coriander, garlic, and fresh parsley. Grilled to perfection and served with a tangy garlic yogurt sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes for a healthy, delicious meal!
Ingredients
- For the Kofta:
- 1 lb ground chicken (or turkey)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- For the Garlic Yogurt Sauce:
- 1 cup plain yogurt (or coconut yogurt)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix thoroughly with clean hands until evenly combined.
- Wet hands and shape mixture into 10–12 oval kofta pieces.
- Preheat grill to medium-high and lightly oil grates.
- Grill kofta 5–7 minutes per side until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- In a separate bowl, mix yogurt with lemon juice and a pinch of salt to make garlic yogurt sauce.
- Serve grilled kofta with garlic yogurt sauce and preferred sides.
Notes
- Keep hands wet while shaping kofta to prevent sticking.
- Do not overmix the meat – mix just until combined for tender kofta.
- For best results, refrigerate shaped kofta for 20-30 minutes before grilling to help them hold together.
- Can also cook in a grill pan, cast iron skillet, or air fryer at 375°F for 8-10 minutes.
- Add 1/4 tsp cayenne or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- For extra garlic flavor, add 1 grated garlic clove to the yogurt sauce.
- Serve with rice, couscous, pita bread, fattoush salad, or grilled vegetables.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days and eaten cold or reheated.
- Freeze uncooked kofta for up to 3 months – cook directly from frozen, adding 5-7 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grill
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern