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5 from 1 vote

Chicken Kofta

Chicken Kofta is made with ground chicken, grated onion, garlic, parsley, breadcrumbs, olive oil, and simple spices. Shape the mixture into patties, meatballs, or kebabs, then pan-fry, bake, grill, or air fry until golden and juicy.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Lebanese, Levantine, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Turkish
Diet: Low Lactose
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 333kcal
Author: Ayla Clulee

Ingredients

  • 1 ⅓ lbs ground chicken (600 grams)
  • 1 medium onion (grated)
  • 2 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
  • 1 small egg
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ cup breadcrumbs (25 grams)
  • 2 tablespoon parsley (finely chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon chilli flakes
  • 1 tablespoon oil for frying
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Place the ground chicken in a large mixing bowl. Add the grated onion, garlic, egg, olive oil, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, black pepper, paprika, and chili flakes.
  • Mix until everything is just combined. Don’t overmix, as this can make the koftas firm.
  • Dampen your hands with a little water and shape the mixture into 14 to 16 small patties or oval koftas.
  • Chill the shaped koftas for 20 to 30 minutes if you have time.

Pan Frying Method

  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet or grill pan over medium heat.
  • Add the koftas in a single layer. Cook in batches if needed.
  • Cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, until golden and cooked through. The center should reach 165°F / 74°C.
  • Serve straight away.

Baking Method

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F / 190°C.
  • Place the koftas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
  • Brush or spray lightly with oil.
  • Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.
  • Check that the center reaches 165°F / 74°C before serving.

Grilling Method

  • Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
  • Oil the grill grates well to stop the koftas from sticking.
  • Place the koftas on the grill and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side.
  • Remove from the grill once golden, lightly charred, and cooked to 165°F / 74°C in the center.

Air Frying Method

  • Preheat the air fryer to 375°F / 190°C.
  • Place the koftas in the basket in a single layer, leaving space between each one.
  • Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  • Cook until golden and 165°F / 74°C in the center.

Notes

  • Ground chicken is lean, so don’t skip the olive oil.
  • Grated onion keeps the chicken kofta juicy and adds flavor.
  • If the onion is very watery, add the liquid gradually so the mixture doesn’t become too soft.
  • Add a little more breadcrumbs if the mixture feels too wet.
  • Dampen your hands before shaping to stop the mixture from sticking.
  • Chill the shaped koftas for 20 to 30 minutes if you have time.
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan, grill, baking sheet, or air fryer basket.
  • Ground chicken kofta should reach 165°F / 74°C in the center.
  • You can prepare the mixture up to 24 hours ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator.
  • Cooked chicken kofta keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • You can freeze cooked or uncooked koftas for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 333kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 165mg | Sodium: 742mg | Potassium: 882mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 315IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2mg