Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce Recipe
This Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce recipe offers a flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired dish featuring spiced ground chicken formed into tender koftas, grilled to perfection, and served with a refreshing, tangy garlic yogurt sauce. Perfect for a healthy, protein-rich meal that bursts with aromatic spices and fresh herbs.
- Author: Victoria
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Low Fat
For the Chicken Kofta
- 500 grams (about 1 pound) ground chicken
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for grilling)
For the Garlic Yogurt Sauce
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
- Prepare the Kofta Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, and fresh parsley. Add the ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly until the ingredients are well incorporated.
- Shape the Koftas: Wet your hands slightly to prevent sticking, then shape the chicken mixture into elongated oval shapes, forming the traditional kofta shape.
- Preheat Grill: Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly brush the grill surface with olive oil to prevent sticking and help achieve a nice sear.
- Grill the Koftas: Place the koftas on the grill and cook for 5 to 7 minutes on each side. Grill until they are golden brown and fully cooked through, ensuring a juicy texture on the inside.
- Make the Garlic Yogurt Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the plain yogurt, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Stir well until smooth and creamy, creating a refreshing sauce that complements the spiced koftas.
- Serve: Serve the grilled chicken koftas hot, accompanied by the garlic yogurt sauce and your choice of sides such as salad, rice, or flatbreads.
Notes
- To ensure juicy koftas, avoid over-mixing the ground chicken mixture.
- You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey or lamb for variation.
- If a grill is unavailable, a grill pan or broiler can be used as alternatives.
- For extra flavor, add finely chopped mint to the kofta mixture.
- The yogurt sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 1 day.
Keywords: chicken kofta, garlic yogurt sauce, grilled chicken, Middle Eastern recipe, healthy chicken recipe, ground chicken kofta