Name: Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 1 pound ground chicken; ½ cup onion (finely grated); 2 cloves garlic (minced); ¼ cup fresh parsley (chopped); 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (chopped); 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon ground coriander; ½ teaspoon paprika; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 cup plain Greek yogurt; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 clove garlic (minced or grated); ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 tablespoon fresh dill or mint (chopped, optional)

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Imagine a platter piled high with tender, juicy koftas, each bite brimming with fragrant herbs and Middle Eastern spices, all beckoning you to dunk them generously into a creamy, tangy sauce. That, my friend, is the magic of Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce—a dish that feels both wildly exotic and comfortingly familiar. Whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd or just craving something special on a weekday, this recipe brings together bold flavors, incredible texture, and a sauce you’ll want to eat by the spoonful. Get ready to discover your new favorite way to enjoy ground chicken!

Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredient list for Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce may look delightfully simple, but every item here plays a starring role. From the earthy spices to the fresh herbs and creamy yogurt, each element layers on flavor and texture for a meal that’s both nutritious and memorable.

Ground chicken (1 pound): Lean and protein-rich, ground chicken is the perfect canvas for bold flavors and keeps these koftas extra moist.
Onion, finely grated (1/2 cup): Grated onion melts into the mixture, adding juiciness and a subtle sweetness without overpowering.
Garlic, minced (2 cloves): Essential for that aromatic kick—remember, a little fresh garlic goes a long way!
Fresh parsley, chopped (1/4 cup): This brings bright color and fresh, grassy notes to lighten up the dish.
Fresh cilantro, chopped (2 tablespoons): Adds a zesty, citrus-like undertone, but you can swap in more parsley if that’s more your style.
Ground cumin (1 teaspoon): The earthy, warm backbone of classic kofta flavor.
Ground coriander (1 teaspoon): Softly citrusy, it pairs perfectly with cumin for balanced depth.
Paprika (1/2 teaspoon): For gentle warmth and that beautiful golden color.
Ground cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon): A little bit turns kofta from simple to spectacular, lending subtle sweetness and complexity.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Seasoning is everything—don’t skimp!
Black pepper (1/4 teaspoon): For just the right touch of heat.
Olive oil (2 tablespoons): Encourages golden-brown crusts when pan-frying your koftas.
Plain Greek yogurt (1 cup): Thick, creamy, and tangy—this forms the base of your irresistible sauce.
Lemon juice (1 tablespoon): Bright acidity in the sauce wakes everything up.
Garlic, minced or grated (1 clove): Raw garlic gives the sauce its signature zing.
Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances the flavors in your yogurt sauce.
Fresh dill or mint, chopped (1 tablespoon, optional): Herbaceous freshness for extra flair in the sauce—either is delicious!

How to Make Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce

Step 1: Mix the Kofta Ingredients

Start by combining the ground chicken with all those fragrant vegetables, herbs, and spices in a big bowl. Mix it gently but thoroughly—your hands are the best tool for this! You’ll notice the aroma building as the spices mingle with the fresh herbs. The mixture will feel sticky and soft, which is exactly what you want to help form koftas that are juicy and tender.

Step 2: Shape the Koftas

Scoop up small portions of the chicken mixture and shape each one into an oval or slightly cylindrical form, almost like mini footballs. Wetting your hands lightly with water or oil makes shaping easy and prevents sticking. Arrange them on a plate or baking sheet as you go, keeping sizes as consistent as possible for even cooking.

Step 3: Cook to Perfection

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the koftas in batches—don’t crowd the pan! Let them cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning gently so they’re deeply golden on all sides and fully cooked through (aim for an internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C). If you love a bit of smoke, these taste fantastic grilled, too.

Step 4: Prepare the Garlic Yogurt Sauce

While those koftas sizzle away, whisk together the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and a handful of fresh dill or mint if you like. This sauce is creamy, cool, and just garlicky enough to wake up your taste buds. Stash it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve—it gets even better as the flavors blend.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Pile the hot koftas onto a serving platter, set out a generous bowl of your garlic yogurt sauce, and cue the applause. Trust me: you’ll want to dip, dollop, and swoop up every last bit. Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce is best enjoyed fresh, served right off the pan or grill, with plenty of sauce on the side!

How to Serve Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce

Garnishes

Add pops of color and flavor by showering your platter with chopped fresh parsley, cilantro, or mint. A dusting of paprika or sumac brightens things up, and a few lemon wedges invite extra zing. These finishing touches make Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce look as irresistible as it tastes!

Side Dishes

This dish pairs beautifully with warm pita or flatbreads, fluffy steamed rice, or a crisp chopped salad. You can also serve it alongside grilled veggies, roasted potatoes, or a light cucumber-tomato salad for extra freshness. Essentially, anything that helps scoop up more garlic yogurt sauce wins!

Creative Ways to Present

Want to dazzle your guests? Thread the koftas onto skewers for a party-friendly presentation, or tuck them into pita pockets with a scoop of sauce and crunchy slaw. For a more elegant meal, arrange the koftas over a bed of herbed rice and drizzle with sauce for true dinner-table drama.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce stores wonderfully! Pop any extra koftas into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Keep the garlic yogurt sauce separately in the fridge so flavors stay fresh and the sauce remains creamy.

Freezing

These koftas freeze like a dream. Let them cool completely, then arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze. Once solid, transfer to a zip-top bag or freezer-safe container and keep for up to 2 months. When freezing sauce, use a freezer-safe container but note the texture may change slightly after thawing.

Reheating

To reheat, place koftas on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for 10–12 minutes until hot throughout, or microwave on medium in short bursts. Give the yogurt sauce a quick stir after it comes back to room temperature. If the sauce thickens too much, a splash of water or lemon juice restores its creaminess.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?

Absolutely! Ground turkey works beautifully in this recipe, offering a very similar flavor and texture. Just be sure to use dark meat if possible for extra moisture, so your koftas stay juicy.

How do I keep my koftas from falling apart?

If your mixture feels especially soft or sticky, chilling it for 30 minutes before shaping helps firm things up. Also, handle the koftas gently when turning during cooking, and avoid moving them too often so they form a nice crust.

What if I don’t have Greek yogurt for the sauce?

Regular plain yogurt works in a pinch—just strain it through a cheesecloth for 30 minutes to thicken. You want a sauce that’s rich and creamy, so it clings to each kofta for maximum flavor.

Is Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as written, as long as you don’t serve with bread or choose gluten-free pitas. All the main ingredients in both the koftas and sauce are safe for gluten-free diets.

Can I make Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce in advance?

Definitely! Prepare and shape the koftas a day ahead and store them covered in the fridge. Cook them just before serving and make the sauce in advance or the day of—both flavors actually improve as they sit.

Final Thoughts

Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce is one of those dishes that instantly transports you to somewhere bustling and colorful, where every meal feels like a celebration. It’s simple enough to become a weeknight favorite and impressive enough for guests—so go ahead, give it a try, and watch it become a star in your kitchen, too!

Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce Recipe

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4.9 from 16 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Juicy ground chicken spiced with Middle Eastern flavors and shaped into flavorful koftas, served with a creamy garlic yogurt sauce. This Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce recipe is a perfect blend of savory and tangy, making it a delightful meal option.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Kofta:

1 pound ground chicken
½ cup onion (finely grated)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
¼ cup fresh parsley (chopped)
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (chopped)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil

Garlic Yogurt Sauce:

1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 clove garlic (minced or grated)
¼ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon fresh dill or mint (chopped, optional)

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Instructions

Prepare Chicken Kofta: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, grated onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Shape into kofta shapes.
Cook Kofta: Heat olive oil in a skillet, cook koftas for 8–10 minutes until golden and cooked through.
Make Sauce: Whisk together yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and herbs.
Serve: Enjoy koftas with garlic yogurt sauce and accompaniments.