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A pile of perfectly pan-seared ground chicken kebabs in a rustic bowl, garnished with fresh herbs. This image showcases the golden-brown crust from the easy chicken kofta recipe.

Chicken Kofta Recipe: The Juiciest, Most Flavorful Skewers

This easy Chicken Kofta Recipe delivers incredibly juicy, flavorful ground chicken kebabs packed with fresh herbs and spices. Ready in under 30 minutes with pan-fry, oven, and grill options, it's the perfect weeknight dinner solution.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Calories: 285
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb Ground Chicken Not extra-lean
  • 0.5 cup Yellow Onion finely grated
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 0.25 cup Fresh Parsley finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Mint finely chopped
  • 1.5 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1 tsp Ground Coriander
  • 1 tsp Paprika
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 0.5 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil for cooking
  • 1 cup Plain Greek Yogurt
  • 1 tbsp Lemon Juice fresh
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Dill or Mint finely chopped
  • 1 pinch Salt and Pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Large Bowl
  • 1 Skillet or Baking Sheet
  • 8 Skewers (optional)

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, grated onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, mint, cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix with your hands until just combined. Do not overmix.
  2. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This helps the flavors meld and makes shaping easier.
  3. Divide the mixture into 8-10 portions. Wet your hands and shape each portion into a 4-inch log, around a skewer if using.
  4. Cook using one of the methods: Pan-Fry with olive oil for 8-10 mins, turning until golden. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 mins. Or Grill over medium-high heat for 10-12 mins, turning occasionally.
  5. While the koftas cook, whisk together the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, fresh dill or mint, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Serve the hot koftas with the cool yogurt sauce.

Notes

Tip 1: Grating the onion instead of chopping it adds moisture and ensures it dissolves into the meat mixture for the best texture.
Tip 2: Don't skip the chilling step! It's essential for developing flavor and helping the koftas hold their shape during cooking.
Tip 3: For the juiciest results, use ground chicken with some fat content (e.g., from thigh meat) rather than extra-lean ground breast.