Description
These grilled chicken kofta kebabs are juicy, flavorful, and packed with warm Middle Eastern spices. Made with ground chicken, fresh herbs, and aromatic spices, they’re perfect for grilling season and delicious served with flatbread, salad, or tzatziki for a wholesome Mediterranean meal.
Ingredients
Chicken Kofta Mixture
- 1½ lb ground chicken
- 1 small onion, very finely grated (excess liquid squeezed out)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped (optional)
- 1½ tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Kofta Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, grated onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, cilantro (if using), ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, ground cinnamon, salt, black pepper, and olive oil. Mix gently until all ingredients are just combined, being careful not to overmix to keep the koftas tender.
- Shape the Koftas: Divide the mixture evenly into 6 to 8 portions. Shape each portion into sausage-like logs around skewers, or if not using skewers, shape into patties. If the mixture feels too soft to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 15–20 minutes before shaping.
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking. If using wooden skewers, ensure they have been soaked in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
- Grill the Koftas: Place the koftas on the grill and cook for 10–12 minutes total, turning every few minutes to ensure even cooking and a nice char on all sides. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the koftas are cooked through.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the koftas from the grill and let them rest for 3–5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat juicy and flavorful. Serve warm with accompaniments like flatbread, salad, tzatziki, hummus, or garlic sauce.
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers for 30 minutes prevents them from burning on the grill.
- If the kofta mixture feels too soft to form, chilling for 15–20 minutes helps firm it up, making shaping easier.
- You can cook the koftas on a grill pan indoors if an outdoor grill is unavailable.
- Alternatively, bake the koftas at 400°F (200°C) for 18–20 minutes as a convenient cooking method.
- Serve with hummus, garlic sauce, yogurt sauce, or your favorite Mediterranean dips for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern, Mediterranean
