Description
These Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce offer a delightful Mediterranean experience with warm spices and a tangy, cooling sauce. They’re perfect for a flavorful and juicy weeknight meal or gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 500g (1.1lb) ground chicken thigh meat
- 80g (2.8oz) grated onion (1 small)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil, plus extra
- 1 tsp (5g) ground cumin
- 1 tsp (5g) ground coriander
- 0.5 tsp (2.5g) smoked paprika
- 0.25 tsp (1g) ground cinnamon
- 0.25 tsp (1g) cayenne pepper (optional)
- 0.5 tsp (2.5g) sumac (optional)
- 1 tbsp (15ml) lemon juice
- 1 tbsp (15g) chopped parsley
- 1 tbsp (15g) chopped mint
- 1 tsp (6g) kosher salt
- 0.5 tsp (2.5g) black pepper
- 200g (7oz) Greek yogurt (full-fat)
- 1 clove garlic, grated (for sauce)
- 1 tbsp (15ml) lemon juice (for sauce)
- 1 tbsp (15ml) extra-virgin olive oil (for sauce)
- Pinch of cumin (for sauce)
- 2 tbsp (30g) pomegranate arils
- 10g (≈¼ cup) cilantro leaves
- 4 lemon wedges
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Gently mix chicken, onion, garlic, oil, cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, cayenne (if using), sumac, lemon juice, parsley, mint, salt, and pepper.
- Chill Mixture: Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes to meld flavors and firm the mixture.
- Make Yogurt Sauce: Whisk yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, oil, and cumin.
- Shape Koftas: Dampen hands and form mixture into 12-14 oval logs.
- Preheat Grill/Broiler: Preheat to 200°C (400°F) and brush koftas with oil.
- Grill/Broil Koftas: Grill 5 minutes per side or broil 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Rest Koftas: Let rest for 3 minutes before serving.
- Plate & Garnish: Serve with yogurt sauce, olive oil, pomegranate, cilantro, and lemon wedges.
Notes
For best results, use chicken thigh meat to ensure juicy koftas. Don’t overmix the kofta mixture to avoid toughness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling/Broiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg