Description
Tender, spiced ground chicken formed into little ovals and finished with a bright, garlicky yogurt drizzle — easy to make and great for weeknights or a crowd.
Ingredients
- 500 g (≈1 lb) ground chicken
- 1 medium onion, very finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped small
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup plain yogurt (for the sauce)
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (for the sauce)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for brushing the grill or pan)
Instructions
Make the kofta mixture
-
Put the ground chicken into a roomy bowl. Add the diced onion, minced garlic and chopped parsley.
-
Sprinkle in the cumin, coriander, salt and pepper. Mix gently by hand or with a spoon until everything is evenly combined — stop once the mixture looks uniform (don’t overwork it).
Shape the kofta
3. Wet your palms lightly to prevent sticking. Portion the mix and form into small, elongated patties or logs — about palm-sized. Press them together so they hold their shape.
Cook
4. Heat a grill, grill pan or heavy skillet over medium-high. Brush the grates or pan with the olive oil.
5. Cook the kofta 5–7 minutes per side, turning carefully, until they develop a golden crust and are cooked through. Aim for an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F).
Make the garlic-yogurt sauce
6. While the kofta cooks (or just after), whisk the plain yogurt with lemon juice, a pinch of salt and an extra minced garlic clove if you like it garlicky. Adjust acidity or salt to taste.
Serve
7. Let the kofta rest a minute or two, then plate with a generous spoonful of the garlic-yogurt sauce. They’re lovely with warm pita, rice, salad or grilled veggies.
Notes
- Resting helps flavor — let cooked kofta sit briefly so juices redistribute.
- No grill? Cook in a hot cast-iron skillet or broil on a sheet pan, turning once.
- Check doneness: use a thermometer to be safe — 75°C / 165°F is the target.
- Make it yours: add chopped mint, a pinch of chili flakes, or a crumble of feta for variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 kofta with sauce
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg