Grilled Chicken Kafta
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
4
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Calories
385 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Middle Eastern
Grilled Chicken Kafta
Description
To make the kafta, whole wheat bread soaked in water is squeezed dry and combined with ground chicken, grated onion, minced garlic, chopped fresh parsley and mint, Aleppo pepper, coriander, paprika, salt, pepper, and an egg to bind. This mixture is formed by hand onto bamboo skewers into oval logs. Chilling the shaped kaftas before cooking helps them hold together.
The kaftas are then grilled over medium heat until they develop a charred exterior and are cooked through inside, usually about 4–5 minutes per side. The herbs and spices impart a fresh, aromatic flavor, while the bread and egg keep the texture tender.
They can be served alongside Middle Eastern accompaniments such as fattoush salad, kalamata olives, and rice for a balanced meal. Using fresh parsley is key for vibrant flavor, and wetting hands while shaping prevents sticking. Lean ground chicken or turkey keeps the kebabs moist but can adjust texture.
Ingredients
- 4 lices whole wheat bread or 3/4 cup bread crumbs
- 1 ½ lb ground chicken
- 1 small onion grated (about ½ cup grated onion)
- 1-2 garlic minced, clove
- ½ cup parsley chopped, fresh
- 3 tbsp mint chopped, fresh
- 1 tsp Aleppo pepper mild/sweet pepper flakes, more for later
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp paprika sweet
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt or to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper or to taste, ground
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp olive oil
To serve (optional)
- kalamata olives pitted
- fattoush salad or middle eastern salad
- rice
Instructions
- Place the bread into a shallow dish and cover with water. Allow it to sit for a couple of minutes, then take it out and squeeze all the liquid. Place into a large bowl.
- Add in the ground chicken, onion, garlic, fresh herbs and spices. Add the egg, salt and pepper, then mix until thoroughly combined.
- Using your wet hands, take a spoonful of mixture and make into an oval patty. Stick a bamboo skewer into the middle and continue to gently shape it into a log. Repeat with the remaining mixture
- Refrigerate the kaftas until ready to cook.
- Heat a gas grill or a grill pan over medium heat. Grease with some oil to prevent the kaftas from sticking.
- Cook kaftas for 4-5 minutes per side, ot until cooked through and nicely charred.
- Serve with fattoush salad if desired and enjoy!
Notes
- Use lean ground chicken or turkey; turkey will yield a slightly drier texture.
- Fresh parsley is important for optimal flavor; dried mint can be substituted if fresh is unavailable.
- Whole wheat bread can be substituted for breadcrumbs; if ground chicken is not very lean, reduce breadcrumbs amount.
- Egg and breadcrumbs act as binders preventing the kafta from falling apart during grilling.
- Wet hands with water or oil when shaping kafta onto skewers to prevent sticking.
- Chill kafta before grilling to help them hold together well on the skewers.
- For alternative, try a beef kafta recipe for different texture and flavor.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 385 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 385kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 16g | 5% |
| Protein | 36g | 72% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 193mg | 64% |
| Sodium | 547mg | 23% |
| Potassium | 1132mg | 24% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 561IU | 11% |
| Vitamin C | 7mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 104mg | 10% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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