Best Chicken Kofta Recipe (2024)

Published: by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

Jump to Recipe

Easy juicy chicken kofta made with chicken breast, herbs and spices. It's perfect for dinner with various sides such as green salad or rice.

Best Chicken Kofta Recipe (1)

What I love the most about our chicken recipes is that they are very versatile and use a variety of herbs and spices which makes them absolutely delicious. From our halal cart chicken and rice to shish tawook and shawarma, there's always something for you to try. This chicken kofta recipe is a favorite of our family as well, it's simple and comes together in no time. Follow along to learn how I make these homemade chicken koftas!

Table Of Contents:
  • Why You Should Try This Recipe
  • Ingredients To Make Chicken Kofta
  • How To Make Chicken Kofta
  • Variations
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storage And Reheating
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Kofta And Meatball Recipes
  • Step-by-Step Recipe

Why You Should Try This Recipe

  • Easy and simple: This recipe is as simple as mix, shape and sear, perfect for a novice cook.
  • Tasty alternative: While we love our kofta kebab and Greek keftedes, it's always good to have a delicious healthier alternative to the red meat.
  • Feast of flavors: Thanks to the spices and herbs used in the recipe, these chicken meatballs are anything but bland!
  • Versatile: Add or leave out the spices according to your preference and what you have on hand. As long as you keep the base as is, your koftas are going to be juicy and delicious.
  • Serve it any way you like: Wrap it in lavash with some toum or on a bed of rice pilaf with some fattoush or tabouli.

Ingredients To Make Chicken Kofta

Best Chicken Kofta Recipe (2)
  • Chicken breast: While chicken breast is a lean cut, it works very well in this recipe and the koftas are very juicy. Use boneless skinless chicken breasts.
  • Breadcrumbs: To absorb the moisture and helps the koftas hold their shape.
  • Onion and garlic: A small white or yellow onion would be enough and you only need 2 cloves of garlic.
  • Egg: It acts as a binder and helps the ingredients stick well.
  • Spices: A combination of turmeric, paprika, Aleppo pepper, cumin and coriander. You can find Aleppo pepper at Middle Eastern or Mediterranean shops as well as online.
  • Parsley: Herbs add fresh flavor to the koftas and make them tastier.

How To Make Chicken Kofta

Best Chicken Kofta Recipe (3)
  1. Place the chicken breast, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, spices and parsley in the bowl of a food processor. You can cut the chicken into smaller pieces, but it's not necessary.
  2. Blend until the mixture comes together and all is well combined. You might have to pause and scrape the sides a couple of times.
  3. Using a spatula, transfer the mixture to a bowl (it's going to be sticky), cover with a plastic wrap and let it sit in the fridge for 1 hour so the flavors are well combined.
  4. Wet your hands with cold water and shape the koftas into small balls or football-shaped balls. I usually keep a bowl of cold water on the counter and wet my hands after each shaping.
  5. Sear the koftas in olive oil over medium heat until fully cooked, about 3 minutes on each side.

Variations

These homemade chicken meatballs are so versatile and you can change up the ingredients to match your liking. Here are a few ideas:

  • Use ground chicken instead of chicken breasts.
  • Leave out any of the spices you don't like/have access to. To make them spicy, add a bit of cayenne pepper. You can also make these with advieh, seven spice or ras el hanout.
  • Instead of parsley, use dried mint, chopped cilantro or chives.
  • Add some grated ginger for a subtle spicy kick.

Serving Suggestions

You can serve these chicken koftas as a wrap with pita or lavash, lettuce, tomatoes, some sumac onion and ezme or quick pickled cabbage. Finish with some toum or tahini sauce for extra flavor.

Another way to serve these Middle Eastern chicken meatballs is to have them in a bowl with some bulgur pilaf, brown rice or oven roasted Greek potatoes. Add some greens or a simple Mediterranean salad or salad shirazi and some classic hummus to bring it all together.

Best Chicken Kofta Recipe (4)

Storage And Reheating

Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. You can reheat the chicken kofta in the oven at 350 for 10 minutes or using the microwave.

These chicken koftas freeze very well. You can freeze cooked koftas for up to 3 months. To serve, let the frozen cooked koftas thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat.

You can also freezeraw chicken kofta mixturefor up to 3 months. Transfer the mixture to a freezer bag and freeze. To cook, let the mixture thaw in the fridge overnight, then shape and cook as instructed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?

Chicken thighs are less lean compared to chicken breast therefore the ratio of breadcrumbs and eggs would change.

Can I make chicken kofta ahead of time?

Yes, you can make these up to a day in advance.

How to bake chicken kofta in the oven?

Shape the koftas and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Coat them with cooking spray and bake at 425 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping once halfway through.

How can I make grilled chicken kofta?

Preheat the grill to medium high. Shape the mixture around wooden skewers. Grease the grated with a bit of oil and place the skewers on the grates. Grill for 3 minutes on each side until fully cooked.

Best Chicken Kofta Recipe (5)

More Kofta And Meatball Recipes

  • Pomegranate Pistachio Koftas with Bulgur
  • Baked Turkey Meatballs Mediterranean Style
  • Soutzoukakia: Greek Baked Meatballs Recipe
  • Kofta Kebab Recipe

Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!

Step-by-Step Recipe

Best Chicken Kofta Recipe (10)

Best Chicken Kofta Recipe

Shadi HasanzadeNemati

Easy juicy chicken kofta made with chicken breast, herbs and spices. It's perfect for dinner with various sides such as green salad or rice.

5 from 9 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mediterranean, middle eastern

Servings 6

Calories 204 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 2 tablespoon breadcrumbs
  • 1 onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 egg
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 tsp Aleppo pepper
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp coriander
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ cup parsley only remove the thick stems
  • ¼ cup olive oil

To serve

  • roma tomatoes sliced
  • radishes sliced
  • red onion thinly sliced
  • Persian cucumbers sliced
  • 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.

Video

Notes

  • Serve chicken kofta with pita or lavash as well as Mediterranean salad, sumac onion and ezme. You can also serve it with bulgur pilaf, brown rice or even oven roasted Greek potatoes.
  • Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350 for 10 minutes or using the microwave.
  • These chicken koftas freeze well. You can freeze cooked koftas for up to 3 months. To serve, let the frozen cooked koftas thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat. You can also freezeraw chicken kofta mixturefor up to 3 months. To cook, let the mixture thaw in the fridge overnight, then shape and cook as instructed above.
  • Chicken thighs are more tender than breast therefore you will need more eggs and breadcrumbs for the koftas to hold their shape.
  • You can make these up to a day in advance and reheat to serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 204kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 18gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 76mgSodium: 520mgPotassium: 380mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 752IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it was by leaving a comment and a 5-star review!

More Chicken Recipes

  • Whole Roasted Chicken Recipe
  • Moroccan Chicken Tagine
  • Best Chicken Pesto Sandwich
  • Harissa Grilled Chicken Thighs

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Andee

    Best Chicken Kofta Recipe (15)
    I am always interested in simple meals that are different than my routine, so I thought I would give this recipe a try. I made them for dinner last night. The taste and smell were absolutely delicious and I already shared this recipe with 2 friends. This meal was so simple to make and will now become a staple in my house since I always have these ingredients on hand. Later in the evening I stepped out of my house and when I came back in, the smell in my house was amazing! Loved this! Thank you!

    Reply

  2. Christine Brusseau

    Best Chicken Kofta Recipe (16)
    Can I use ground turkey I place of chicken?

    Reply

    • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

      Yes!

      Reply

  3. Sara Welch

    Best Chicken Kofta Recipe (17)
    This was everything a gourmet meal should be, and then some! Easy, hearty and packed with flavor; definitely, a new favorite recipe. My whole family loved it!

    Reply

  4. Kristen

    Best Chicken Kofta Recipe (18)
    My family loved these chicken koftas! They turned out perfectly and I'll definitely be making them again. Thanks!

    Reply

  5. Andrea

    Best Chicken Kofta Recipe (19)
    I appreciate your step-by-step directions and video on how to make this fabulous chicken kofta. It's easier than I thought. The flavors are fantastic and I love the way you served them. I can't wait to make this for my family.

    Reply

  6. Justine

    Best Chicken Kofta Recipe (20)
    These were so good! I get tired of eating chicken the same old way all the time - this was an awesome way to mix things up! Will definitely be making again soon!

    Reply

  7. Kate

    Best Chicken Kofta Recipe (21)
    I had never made kofta with chicken breast before, but this recipe was easy to follow and they ended up coming out great! Thank you for a fantastic dinner!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Best Chicken Kofta Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is chicken kofta made of? ›

Chicken kofta is made of ground chicken that's mixed with other ingredients including onions, garlic fresh herbs and spices, to form a well-seasoned mixture (similar to a chicken meatballs mixture).

What is the difference between chicken shish and chicken kofte? ›

They're totally different things. Shish is cubes of meat, kofte is minced meat combined with onions, spices, etc, then formed into patties.

What country is chicken kofta from? ›

Koftas are found from the Indian subcontinent through Central Asia, the Middle East, the Balkans, and northern Africa.

How to make koftas less dry? ›

Try to aim for 20% fat as this provides moisture to the mixture. If you feel that you have to use a binding agent then we would err on the side of using egg rather then breadcrumbs. Dried breadcrumbs will dry out the kofta and fresh breadcrumbs don't always act as a good binder.

Why is my kofta falling apart? ›

You need to make sure the oil is properly hot before you add the kofta to it, otherwise they can cool the oil down too much and fall apart to a horrid mess. In the same vein, don't try to fry the kofta from fridge cold if you've pre-prepared them. Bring them up to room temperature before frying.

What is kofta seasoning made of? ›

Spices – You'll need a combination of sumac, black pepper, salt, allspice, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and ground cinnamon to season the kofta. If you've never used sumac before you are in for a treat. It's a fantastic spice that has a tang of citrus that adds so much depth to the kofta.

What is difference between kafta and kofta? ›

Both kafta and kofta are the same thing: a meatball made with ground meat and mixed with herbs, Middle Eastern spices and onions. In Lebanon it is known as kafta and in other Middle Eastern countries and India it is widely known as Kofta.

What is kofta called in English? ›

Kofta is a type of "meatball" that originates from the Middle East and India. The word kofta comes from the Persian word kūfta, which means "to beat or to grind," which references the ground meat typically used to make kofta recipes.

What to serve with kofta? ›

Serve the koftas with the Persian salad, Tzatziki, pomegranate seeds and mint leaves. Have some toasted pitta bread on the side. Finally, drizzle the koftas with some pomegranate molasses, if desired add a last pinch of Maldon Salt.

Is kofte Greek or Turkish? ›

What is Kofta (Köfte)? Köfte is the Turkish variant of meatballs made from minced meat, breadcrumbs, eggs, onions and a variety of spices. Of course, each establishment and even each family has their own take, but the main ingredients usually don't differ greatly.

What is the difference between kofta and korma? ›

Kofta: balls or dumplings of ground or mashed meat or vegetables, grilled or fried and often stuffed with spices or diced nuts. Korma: powder or aromatic spice, with white pepper instead of chili powder and used in mild curries cooked with yoghurt.

Is kofta healthy? ›

Malai Kofta is a good source of protein and fats, with the vegetarian ball rich in fibre content. The veggies used also have various nutrients, and therefore, this malai kofta recipe has many health benefits. They are: Paneer malai kofta dish lowers the blood pressure levels in the body.

What ethnicity is kofta? ›

Kofta is a Middle Eastern dish made from ground lamb or beef mixed with onions, garlic, and spices. The meat mixture is shaped into balls, patties, or logs, then grilled and served with pita, salad, hummus, and tahini sauce.

What is Greek kofta made of? ›

While the exact ingredients and preparation methods can vary widely depending on regional variations and personal preferences, a basic kofta recipe usually involves mixing ground meat (such as beef, lamb, chicken, or turkey) with various spices, herbs, and sometimes breadcrumbs or rice.

How to keep kebabs moist? ›

If you feel your kebab dough is a bit dry use a few spoons of finely chopped onions. Or add some grated onions. These give moisture to the kebab. This is the easiest and fool proof.

How do you keep meat from drying out after cooking? ›

Let the meat sit for 5 minutes after taking it out of the oven. Take your meat out of the oven and transfer it to a clean plate. Don't dig into your food right away—instead, set a timer for 5 minutes and allow the meat to “rest,” or become more tender and moist.

How do you keep patties from drying out? ›

You can think of the butter as a bit of an insurance policy; while the temperature you cook your burgers to is still super important, the added butter will keep your burgers moist, even if you slightly overcook them. So grab a stick of butter and an instant read thermometer: It's grilling season!

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Lilliana Bartoletti

Last Updated:

Views: 5887

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (73 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lilliana Bartoletti

Birthday: 1999-11-18

Address: 58866 Tricia Spurs, North Melvinberg, HI 91346-3774

Phone: +50616620367928

Job: Real-Estate Liaison

Hobby: Graffiti, Astronomy, Handball, Magic, Origami, Fashion, Foreign language learning

Introduction: My name is Lilliana Bartoletti, I am a adventurous, pleasant, shiny, beautiful, handsome, zealous, tasty person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.