This Chicken Kofta with Creamy Garlic Yogurt Sauce Recipe is juicy, flavorful, and perfect for grilling season or easy weeknight dinners. Tender ground chicken is blended with warm spices, fresh parsley, and garlic, then grilled to perfection and served over a tangy, creamy garlic yogurt sauce. It’s simple, satisfying, and packed with Middle Eastern–inspired flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Juicy, well-seasoned chicken kofta
- Creamy garlic yogurt sauce with bright lemon flavor
- Quick cooking time
- Perfect for meal prep or entertaining
- Naturally halal-friendly
This Chicken Kofta with Creamy Garlic Yogurt Sauce Recipe delivers bold flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 500 g ground chicken (about 1 lb)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped (excess moisture squeezed out)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced (divided)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 cup plain yogurt (whole-milk or Greek)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (divided)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for grilling or pan-searing)
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together yogurt, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Chill for 10 minutes to allow flavors to develop.
- In a separate bowl, combine ground chicken, chopped onion (with moisture squeezed out), remaining 2 minced garlic cloves, parsley, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Mix until slightly sticky but do not overwork.
- Shape mixture into 10–12 kofta logs or oval patties. Chill for 10 minutes to help them firm up.
- Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and lightly oil grates with olive oil.
- Grill kofta for 4–5 minutes per side, until browned and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Pan option: Sear in a lightly oiled skillet for 4–5 minutes per side until fully cooked.
- Stir remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice into the yogurt sauce if desired for extra brightness.
- Serve the Chicken Kofta with Creamy Garlic Yogurt Sauce spooned underneath or on the side. Garnish with extra parsley and lemon wedges.
Tips & Tricks
- Squeeze excess moisture from onions to prevent kofta from falling apart.
- Chill shaped kofta before cooking for better structure.
- Avoid flipping too early to prevent sticking.
- Add a pinch of chili flakes for subtle heat.
- Serve with warm pita or rice bowls for a complete meal.
Details
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling or Pan-Searing
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern-Inspired
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Halal-Friendly, High Protein
Notes
- Can be baked at 400°F for 18–20 minutes if preferred.
- Sauce can be made up to 2 days ahead.
- Serve with cucumber salad or roasted vegetables.
- Great for wraps and mezze platters.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
- Calories: 390
- Protein: 32g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fat: 27g
FAQ
Can I use ground turkey instead?
Yes, ground turkey works as a substitute with similar cooking time.
How do I keep kofta from drying out?
Do not overcook and avoid overmixing the meat mixture.
Can I freeze the kofta?
Yes, freeze uncooked shaped kofta for up to 2 months.
Is Greek yogurt necessary?
No, regular whole-milk yogurt works well too.
What should I serve this with?
Serve with rice, pita bread, salad, or grilled vegetables.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store cooked kofta in airtight container up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked or uncooked kofta up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Warm gently in skillet or oven to prevent drying.
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Chicken Kofta with Creamy Garlic Yogurt Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 500 g ground chicken about 1 lb
- 1 medium onion finely chopped (excess moisture squeezed out)
- 3 garlic cloves minced (divided)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 1 cup plain yogurt whole-milk or Greek
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for grilling or pan-searing
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together yogurt, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Chill for 10 minutes to allow flavors to develop.
- In a separate bowl, combine ground chicken, chopped onion (with moisture squeezed out), remaining 2 minced garlic cloves, parsley, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Mix until slightly sticky but do not overwork.
- Shape mixture into 10–12 kofta logs or oval patties. Chill for 10 minutes to help them firm up.
- Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and lightly oil grates with olive oil.
- Grill kofta for 4–5 minutes per side, until browned and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Pan option: Sear in a lightly oiled skillet for 4–5 minutes per side until fully cooked.
- Stir remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice into the yogurt sauce if desired for extra brightness.
- Serve the Chicken Kofta with Creamy Garlic Yogurt Sauce spooned underneath or on the side. Garnish with extra parsley and lemon wedges.
Notes
- Can be baked at 400°F for 18–20 minutes if preferred.
Conclusion
This Chicken Kofta with Creamy Garlic Yogurt Sauce Recipe is packed with warm spices, fresh herbs, and juicy flavor. Whether grilled outdoors or pan-seared indoors, it’s a simple yet impressive dish that brings bold, comforting flavor to your table. Once you try it, it will quickly become a staple in your dinner rotation