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chicken kofta with garlic yogurt sauce served with flatbread

Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce

A quick and flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired dish made with juicy ground chicken, fresh herbs, and warm spices, served with a creamy garlic yogurt sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g ground chicken
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, grated and squeezed
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley or cilantro
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (for sauce)
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 0.5 tsp salt (for sauce)

Equipment

  • mixing bowl
  • grater
  • skillet or frying pan
  • baking tray optional for oven method
  • tongs or spatula

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, minced garlic, grated onion (squeezed), parsley, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
  2. Shape the mixture into logs or small patties, keeping sizes even for consistent cooking.
  3. Cook the kofta in a pan over medium heat for 4–5 minutes per side, or bake at 400°F for 18–20 minutes, or grill until fully cooked.
  4. Let the cooked kofta rest for a few minutes to retain juices.
  5. In a bowl, mix yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt until smooth.
  6. Let the sauce rest for 10–15 minutes, then adjust consistency if needed.
  7. Serve the kofta warm with garlic yogurt sauce on the side or drizzled on top.

Notes

Avoid overmixing the chicken to keep the kofta tender. Always squeeze excess moisture from grated onion. Let the mixture rest before shaping for better texture. You can cook the kofta in a pan, oven, or grill depending on preference. Adjust garlic yogurt sauce consistency by adding water or olive oil.