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Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce

Savory Chicken Kofta with Creamy Garlic Yogurt Sauce Delight

This Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce blends tender chicken and aromatic spices, delivering a crowd-pleasing experience.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Resting Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Kofta
  • 1 lb ground chicken use dark meat for juiciness or mix with breast for balance
  • 1 medium onion finely grated
  • 2 cloves garlic minced or grated
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley finely chopped
  • ¼ cup cilantro optional
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin essential for flavor
  • 1 tablespoon ground coriander
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric optional
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt to taste
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
  • ¼ cup plain breadcrumbs or panko, for binding
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for shaping
  • 2 tablespoon neutral oil for cooking
For the Garlic Yogurt Sauce
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 cloves garlic grated or pressed
  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice to taste
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon cold water to thin the sauce if needed
  • 1 teaspoon salt to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black or white pepper optional
  • 2 tablespoon fresh dill, mint, or parsley optional
For Serving (Optional)
  • 4 pieces warm pita or flatbread
  • 1 cup sliced cucumbers
  • 1 cup sliced tomatoes
  • 1 small red onion thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup fresh herbs parsley, mint, or cilantro
  • 1 lemon wedges
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for drizzling
  • 1 tablespoon sumac or paprika for sprinkling

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • skillet
  • Kitchen Towel
  • Whisk
  • Baking Sheet

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Finely grate or mince the onion and place it in a clean kitchen towel to squeeze out excess moisture.
  2. Finely mince or grate the garlic.
  3. Finely chop the parsley and cilantro (if using) and set aside.
  4. In a large bowl, combine ground chicken with onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, turmeric, black pepper, salt, and optional cinnamon or allspice. Mix well until slightly sticky.
  5. Add breadcrumbs and mix until the mixture holds together.
  6. Form a test kofta, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  7. Shape the chilled mixture into small oval logs or patties.
  8. Prepare the garlic yogurt sauce by whisking together yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Adjust with cold water as needed.
  9. Heat a skillet over medium to medium-high heat with neutral oil. Cook kofta for 3-4 minutes on each side until browned and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  10. Alternatively, bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes on a lined sheet or grill them as desired.
  11. Let cooked kofta rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
  12. Serve on a platter drizzled with garlic yogurt sauce and garnished with herbs, lemon wedges, and optional sides.

Nutrition

Serving: 1koftaCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 30gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1000IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Using dark meat chicken adds juiciness to the kofta. Ensure moisture is controlled by squeezing excess from the onion.

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