Chicken Kofta with Yogurt Sauce

These Chicken Kofta with Yogurt Sauce are flavourful, complex, and sumptuous and easily come together in thirty minutes.

Chicken is a favourite in our home. It’s a good source of lean protein, and a healthier alternative to red meat. I like to substitute chicken in place of beef in a dish when possible without sacrificing flavour. In this delicious meal, chicken works perfectly because there are so many lovely spices to accompany it. Kofta is a type of seasoned meatball found in many cuisines around the world. These Chicken Kofta with Yogurt Sauce are inspired by Middle Eastern flavours and are every bit as satisfying as a hearty beef meatball.

This delicious dish combines flavourful seasoned chicken and a tangy yogurt sauce. The ground chicken is intensely flavoured with earthy, warm spices, that beautifully contrast with the lemony sumac and bright parsley . The kofta’s juicy interior is perfectly contrasted by their charred outside. The bright cumin lemon yogurt sauce is the perfect textural contrast. These Chicken Kofta with Yogurt Sauce are flavourful, complex, and sumptuous and easily come together in thirty minutes.

TOTAL TIME

• Preparation Time – 15 minutes
• Cooking Time – 15 minutes
• Total Time – 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS FOR CHICKEN KOFTA WITH YOGURT SAUCE

All the ingredients for these Chicken Kofta are easy to source from any local grocer.

Chicken Kofta

• 2 lbs Ground Chicken
• 1 tsp Kosher Salt
• 3/4 cups Pine Nuts
• 1 small Yellow Onion
• 3 cloves Garlic
• 1/4 tsp Cardamom
• 1/4 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp Ground Cloves
• 1/2 tsp Sumac
• 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp Paprika
• 3/4 tsp Cumin
• 1/4 cup Parsley, minced

Yogurt Sauce

• 1 cup Yogurt, plain
• 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 clove Garlic
• 1 1/2 tsp Cumin
• 1 Lemon, juiced
• 1/4 tsp Kosher Salt
• 1 tsp Parsley, minced

Chicken Kofta with Yogurt Sauce

• Pitas
• Red Onion, thinly sliced
• Tomato, cut into wedges

WHAT IS KOFTA?

Koftas is a type of meatball dish usually comprised of minced meat mixed with spices and a binding ingredient.

CAN I MAKE THIS ON A BARBECUE?

Absolutely. If you decide to make your kofta on a barbeque, I would highly recommend cooking them kebab style by skewering them first.

DOES IT MATTER WHAT KIND OF PITA I USE?

Not at all. Pita is a beautiful flatbread prepared with flour, yeast, salt, water and oil and baked in an oven. There are two main kinds of pita available in grocery stores here: Greek style pitas that are soft, fluffy, and thick, and Lebanese pitas which are thin, flexible, and characterized by a pocket. You can use whichever you prefer in this meal.

CAN I BAKE MY KOFTA?

You could bake your kofta in the oven instead of pan frying them, but you must keep an eye on them because they can easily dry out.

INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS

CAN I SUBSTITUTE ANOTHER MEAT FOR CHICKEN?

This recipe would be delicious with ground turkey or beef as an alternative to chicken.

CAN I USE DRY PARSLEY INSTEAD OF FRESH?

Fresh parsley has a brighter flavour than dried. The chicken kofta contains quite a lot of parsley, so I wouldn’t suggest using dry as a substitute.

CAN I USE PREPACKAGED LEMON JUICE INSTEAD OF FRESH FRUIT?

Prepackaged lemon juice has its, but I don’t tend to buy it. It won’t ruin this recipe, but it would affect the taste. This recipe relies on fresh lemon flavour so I would suggest using it if at all possible.

IS THERE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PINE NUTS?

Cashews or pistachios would be a good substitute for pine nuts in this meal. You want to choose a fatty nut to add flavour and bind your kofta.

EQUIPMENT FOR CHICKEN KOFTA WITH YOGURT SAUCE

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Below is a list of the main equipment/kitchen tools needed to make these delicious Chicken Kofta

• Large Bowl

• Cast Iron Pan

• Small Bowl

• Kitchen Knife – Zwilling J.A. Henkel Kitchen Knife a good kitchen knife is a necessary tool for any home cook. Quality and price point varies widely. This is what I use at home. It’s a perfectly decent knife, while still being very affordable.

• Cutting Board

COOKING DIRECTIONS

These Chicken Kofta with Yogurt Sauce are not difficult to make. They are delicious and easy to perfect the first time if you follow a few important tips:

1. Keep an eye on your pine nuts to ensure they don’t burn.
2. Use fresh parsley and lemon.
3. Cook your kofta on a high heat to get a nice crust and ensure lots of flavour.

MAKE AHEAD STORAGE

You can prepare your chicken in advance if you’d like to save time when you cook this meal.

The finished Chicken Koftas can be stored for three days in the fridge and saved for later, but all the components must be stored separately.

FINISHED DISH

Enjoy your delicious Chicken Kofta with Yogurt Sauce!

OTHER CHICKEN DISHES

Moroccan Sweet and Savory Chicken Pita

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Burger

Dutch Oven Chicken Cacciatore

Indian Spiced Potatoes with Chicken

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

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