Name: Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 500 grams ground chicken; 1 medium onion, finely chopped; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon ground coriander; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper; 2 tablespoons olive oil (for brushing the grill); 1 cup plain yogurt; 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice; Pinch of salt

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Introduction

Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that combines tender, spiced chicken meatballs with a cool, tangy sauce. Perfect for grilling, this recipe brings a delicious Middle Eastern flair to your dinner table.

The image shows a white bowl filled with six browned, grilled meatballs placed on a creamy white sauce that spreads evenly covering the bowl's bottom. The meatballs have a charred, crispy texture with green herbs sprinkled on top and around them in the sauce. Fresh green parsley leaves are scattered over the dish, adding color contrast. The bowl rests on a white marbled surface. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

500 grams ground chicken
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup plain yogurt
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
Step 2: Form the mixture into small oval-shaped koftas.
Step 3: Preheat the grill and brush it with olive oil.
Step 4: Grill the koftas for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally until cooked through.
Step 5: In a separate bowl, mix yogurt, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt to prepare the garlic yogurt sauce.
Step 6: Serve the grilled koftas with the garlic yogurt sauce on the side.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika or chili flakes to the kofta mixture.
You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey or lamb for a different taste.
If you don’t have a grill, cook the koftas in a hot skillet with olive oil until browned and cooked through.
Add minced garlic to the yogurt sauce for a stronger garlic flavor.

Storage

Store any leftover koftas and garlic yogurt sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat the koftas gently in a skillet or microwave before serving. The yogurt sauce is best served chilled and should not be reheated.

How to Serve

A white round plate holds around ten grilled meatballs on skewers arranged in a circle with a small pile of white sauce mixed with green herbs in the center, some sauce oozes slightly over the plate. Each meatball is light brown with dark grill marks and visible small green herb pieces inside. Fresh green cilantro leaves are scattered around the meatballs on the plate, sitting on a white marbled surface with blurred dark green foliage in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the koftas ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the kofta mixture and shape the meatballs up to a day in advance. Keep them covered in the refrigerator until ready to grill.

Is Greek yogurt suitable for the garlic yogurt sauce?

Absolutely. Greek yogurt works well and gives the sauce a creamier, thicker texture. Just adjust the lemon juice and salt to taste.