Best Chicken Kofta Recipe (2024)

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

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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!

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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 kofta seasoning made of? ›

How to Make Kofta. Follow along with these simple procedures to make this amazing Kofta Recipe: In a large bowl mix together the ground meat, onions, garlic, parsley, mint, sumac, allspice, cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper, until combined and then refrigerate.

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 shish and köfte? ›

Shish kebabs—that's chunks of marinated meat (or vegetables) grilled on a skewer—are really tough to get right, and when not right, they're really tough. Kofte kebabs, on the other hand, are made with minced meat, and thus don't have that problem.

Is kofta Greek or Lebanese? ›

Koftas are found in the traditional cuisines of Armenia, Afghanistan, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Georgia, Lebanon, Egypt, Greece, India, Iran, Morocco, Pakistan, Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Turkey. Kofta is also a popular dish among Assyrian people.

What is the difference between kofta and Kafta? ›

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.

Are koftas 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 is the difference between kofta and pakora? ›

Indian Cuisine and Food: What is the difference between a Kofta and a Pakora? A kofta is a ball or patty formed from seasoned ground meat. A pakora is a slice or chunk of vegetable (or a whole small veg) that is dipped in batter and deep-fried.

Why are my koftas dry? ›

However, we would suggest not using very lean beef as it can become a little dry when cooked, particularly if the kofta are grilled over a barbecue. We would suggest looking for minced beef with a fat content of around 10-15%, which should give a good balance of moisture and flavour.

What nationality are koftas? ›

Where do lamb koftas come from? No one country can declare themselves to be the creator of lamb koftas! But they're typically associated with the Middle East and Mediterranean countries like Turkey, especially because they're made with lamb which is a common protein associated with the food of that region.

Why do my koftas break? ›

Make sure the oil in the kadai/wok is hot enough. If not, the koftas can break when dropped into oil. They can also stick to the bottom of the pan while frying. So, make sure the oil is hot before you drop the koftas in oil.

What is the difference between taouk and kofta? ›

The koftas were minced lamb/chicken well-seasoned with spice and herbs and very good indeed. The taouk was marinated chicken breast pieces about 2cm square and they were excellent.

What is a Turkish gyro called? ›

Doner kebab (UK: /ˈdɒnər kɪˈbæb/, US: /ˈdoʊnər kɪˈbɑːb/; Turkish: döner or döner kebap, pronounced [dœˈnæɾ keˈbɑp]), also spelled as döner kebab, is a dish of Turkish origin made of meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie.

What does kebap mean? ›

According to linguist Sevan Nişanyan, the Turkish word kebap is also derived from the Persian word kabāb, meaning roasted meat.

What are koftas made of? ›

Kofta is traditionally made with ground beef or lamb, although chicken, fish, or vegetarian versions made with beans or vegetables are becoming increasingly popular. Kofta is commonly served in a sauce or stew, and it is often paired with rice or flatbread.

What are the ingredients in sumac? ›

It's made from the berry fruit of the Rhus Coriaria shrub, which were originally grown in parts of the Mediterranean basin, then spread to Europe. The berries are dried, then ground and sifted to get rid of the bitter inner seed. The coarse crimson-colored powder is then bottled as a spice to use in cooking.

What is kofta curry made of? ›

Delicious and creamy restaurant style vegetable kofta curry recipe. This dish is made with a mix of vegetables like carrots, cauliflower, capsicum, peas and potatoes. The vegetables are not cooked but minced raw.

What is köfte baharati? ›

Kofte Spice, also called Turkish Baharat, is a wonderful all purpose seasoning with a complementary base of savory and sweet spices and herbal top notes of both peppermint and savory. Chefs in Turkey use this blend as a seasoning for meat dishes such as kofte, grain pilafs, and vegetable dishes.

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