Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce Recipe
Delicious and flavorful Chicken Kofta with a refreshing Garlic Yogurt Sauce, perfect as a main dish or appetizer. Made with ground chicken and aromatic spices, grilled to perfection and served with a tangy yogurt sauce that complements the savory kofta.
- Author: Joe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Low Fat
For the 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 ground chicken, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, and fresh parsley. Add ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined.
- Shape the Kofta: Wet your hands with water to prevent sticking, then shape the chicken mixture into elongated oval-shaped kofta, about 3-4 inches long and 1-1.5 inches thick.
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush the grill surface with olive oil to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Grill the Kofta: Place the kofta on the grill and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, turning carefully, until golden brown on the outside and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 75°C (165°F) to ensure safety.
- Make the Garlic Yogurt Sauce: In a small bowl, combine plain yogurt, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Mix well until smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Serve the hot grilled kofta alongside the garlic yogurt sauce. Pair with your favorite sides such as rice, salad, or flatbread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Allow the kofta to rest for a few minutes after grilling to help the flavors meld and juices redistribute.
- Always check the internal temperature of the kofta to ensure it is fully cooked to 75°C (165°F) for food safety.
- Customize the spices by adding chili flakes or smoked paprika for extra heat and depth of flavor.
- You can substitute parsley with fresh cilantro or mint for a different herbal note.
- If grilling is not an option, kofta can be pan-fried in a little olive oil or baked in the oven at 200°C (400°F) for 20-25 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 125 grams kofta and 3 tablespoons sauce)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 470 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Chicken Kofta, Garlic Yogurt Sauce, Grilled Kofta, Middle Eastern Chicken Recipe, Healthy Chicken Kofta