Best Chicken Kofta Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
204 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Best Chicken Kofta Recipe
Description
Best Chicken Kofta Recipe combines lean chicken breast with a blend of spices and herbs to yield moist, soft meatballs. The use of turmeric, paprika, Aleppo pepper, cumin, and coriander lends a subtle fragrant heat balanced by fresh parsley and garlic. Chilling the mixture before cooking firms it for easy shaping. Cooking in olive oil creates a lightly crisp exterior while keeping the interior juicy. The koftas can be served alongside sliced tomatoes, radishes, onions, cucumbers, green olives, and pita bread, making for a versatile dish suitable for casual meals or gatherings.
The method focuses on combining ground chicken with binding ingredients including breadcrumbs and egg, then forming small balls that cook quickly in a saute pan. This approach preserves tenderness and allows the spices to infuse evenly. The combination of spices and fresh parsley gives these koftas a distinctive flavor without overpowering the chicken's mildness.
Serving these koftas with fresh vegetable slices adds crunch and helps balance the richness. Options like sumac onion, Mediterranean salad, or bulgur pilaf can also enhance the meal. Leftovers store well refrigerated for several days and can be reheated gently without drying out the meatballs.
The notes suggest that chicken thighs may require adjustment with additional eggs and breadcrumbs for better binding due to their higher fat content. Koftas can be prepared in advance and frozen either cooked or raw, allowing for flexible meal planning.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast boneless, skinless
- 2 tbsp breadcrumbs
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Aleppo pepper
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp Coriander
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 cup parsley only remove the thick stems
- 1/4 cup olive oil
To serve
- Roma tomato sliced
- radish sliced
- red onion thinly sliced
- cucumber sliced, Persian
- green olives
- pita bread
Instructions
- Place the chicken breast, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, egg, turmeric, paprika, Aleppo pepper, cumin, coriander, salt and parsley in the bowl of a food processor. Blend until all is well combined. You might need to stop midway and scrape the sides.
- Transfer the kofta mixture into a bowl, cover with a plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- After 1 hour, uncover the bow and start shaping the koftas. Place a bowl of cold water next to the kofta mixture, wet your hands and then form the mixture into small balls or football shaped balls.
- Once all the koftas are shaped, heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Sear the chicken koftas in batches for about 3 minutes on each side until they are fully cooked. Enjoy with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Chicken koftas pair well with fresh Mediterranean salads, sumac onions, and ezme for added flavor contrasts.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container refrigerated up to 4 days; reheat gently in an oven or microwave to maintain moisture.
- Cooked koftas freeze well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Raw kofta mixture can also be frozen; thaw completely before shaping and cooking.
- Using chicken thighs requires additional eggs and breadcrumbs to help the mixture hold together due to higher fat content.
- Make koftas up to a day ahead and reheat to serve for convenient preparation.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 204 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 204kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 5g | 2% |
| Protein | 18g | 36% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 0.01g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 76mg | 25% |
| Sodium | 520mg | 22% |
| Potassium | 380mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 752IU | 15% |
| Vitamin C | 9mg | 10% |
| Calcium | 33mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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