Name: Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 1 pound ground chicken; 1/2 cup finely grated yellow onion with juices; 3 cloves garlic minced; 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro optional; 1/3 cup plain breadcrumbs; 1 large egg; 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin; 1 teaspoon ground coriander; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional; 1 teaspoon fine sea salt; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 3 tablespoons olive oil divided for frying; ; 1 1/2 cups plain Greek yogurt; 2 cloves garlic finely grated; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill or parsley; 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt; 2 tablespoons water as needed to thin; ; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish; Warm flatbreads rice or salad for serving

Juicy chicken kofta nestled on a bed of cool, garlicky yogurt is one of those meals that feels restaurant-fancy but is secretly simple enough for a weeknight. The chicken is mixed with fresh herbs, warm Middle Eastern spices, and grated onion so every bite is tender, fragrant, and full of flavor.

Served with a generous swipe of lemony garlic yogurt and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, these golden little patties are perfect with warm flatbread, rice, or a crisp salad. They’re naturally high in protein, easy to prep ahead, and loved by kids and adults alike.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt

Big flavor, simple ingredients. Ground chicken, pantry spices, and a handful of herbs turn into something special with very little effort.
Quick but impressive. From mixing to pan-searing, this whole dish comes together fast, yet it looks (and tastes!) like you ordered it out.
High-protein, balanced meal. Pair the kofta and yogurt sauce with veggies and a grain, and you’ve got a satisfying dinner that keeps everyone full.
Great for meal prep. The kofta mixture and the garlic yogurt both hold up beautifully in the fridge, so you can prep them a day ahead.
Family-friendly. The spices are warm and cozy rather than fiery hot, making this a gentle way to introduce younger eaters to Middle Eastern flavors.

What Kind of Ground Chicken Works Best for Kofta?

For the juiciest chicken kofta, choose ground chicken that isn’t ultra lean. A mix made from dark meat (thigh) or a blend of breast and thigh will give you the best flavor and texture. Very lean ground chicken breast can make the kofta dry and crumbly.

If your only option is lean chicken, you can compensate a little by:

Adding a touch more olive oil to the mixture.
Making sure you use grated onion (with its juices) to keep the meat moist.
Avoiding overcooking the kofta—pull them off the heat as soon as the centers are cooked through.

Ingredients

Before you start cooking, it helps to understand what each ingredient is doing in the recipe. This way, you’ll know what you can swap and what really needs to stay.

Ground chicken – The star of the dish and the protein base for your kofta.
Yellow onion – Grated finely to melt into the meat, adding moisture and subtle sweetness.
Fresh garlic – Brings sharp, savory flavor to both the kofta and the yogurt sauce.
Fresh parsley – Adds freshness and color throughout the kofta mixture and as a garnish.
Fresh cilantro – Optional, but adds a bright, herbal note that pairs well with the spices.
Plain breadcrumbs – Help bind the mixture so the kofta hold their shape while staying tender.
Egg – Another binder that keeps the patties from falling apart during cooking.
Ground cumin – Provides warm, earthy depth that’s classic in kofta.
Ground coriander – Adds lemony, aromatic notes that lift the flavor of the chicken.
Smoked or sweet paprika – Gives gentle heat and a gorgeous color to the kofta.
Ground allspice – Adds a subtle sweetness and warmth that makes the seasoning blend feel special.
Ground cinnamon – Optional, for a hint of cozy spice that plays beautifully with the savory elements.
Fine sea salt – Seasons both the meat and the yogurt so the whole dish tastes fully flavored.
Black pepper – Adds gentle heat and rounds out the spice blend.
Olive oil – Used to pan-fry the kofta until they’re golden and to enrich the yogurt sauce.
Plain Greek yogurt – The base of the garlic yogurt, giving a tangy, creamy contrast to the spiced chicken.
Fresh lemon juice – Brightens the yogurt sauce and balances the richness of the kofta.
Fresh dill or extra parsley – Adds a fresh, herby flavor to the yogurt sauce.
Water – Just a splash to loosen the yogurt to a silky, spoonable consistency.
Extra fresh parsley – For sprinkling on top right before serving.
Flatbreads, rice, or salad – Optional, but perfect sides to turn the kofta and yogurt sauce into a full meal.

How To Make the Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt

Once your ingredients are prepped, this recipe is mostly a matter of mixing, shaping, and pan-searing. Give yourself a few minutes to chill the mixture if you can—it makes shaping easier and helps the kofta stay juicy.

Step 1 – Mix the Chicken Kofta Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, grated onion (along with its juices), minced garlic, chopped parsley, and chopped cilantro. Sprinkle over the breadcrumbs, egg, cumin, coriander, paprika, allspice, cinnamon if using, salt, and pepper.

Use clean hands or a sturdy spatula to work everything together until the mixture is evenly combined. You want the seasonings and herbs distributed throughout, but you don’t want to mash the chicken into a paste.

Step 2 – Chill and Shape the Kofta

For easier shaping, cover the bowl and chill the mixture in the fridge for about 20–30 minutes. This step isn’t absolutely mandatory, but it helps the breadcrumbs hydrate and firms up the mixture.

Once chilled, lightly oil your hands and divide the mixture into equal portions. Roll each portion into an oval or small log shape about the length of your fingers. Arrange the shaped kofta on a parchment-lined tray or plate.

If you’re cooking them on skewers, you can gently press each kofta around a metal or soaked wooden skewer at this point.

Step 3 – Make the Garlic Yogurt Sauce

While the kofta mixture chills (or the shaped kofta rest), whisk together the plain Greek yogurt, grated garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, chopped dill or parsley, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl.

Drizzle in a little water at a time until the yogurt loosens to a smooth, spoonable consistency that will pool nicely on a plate without being runny. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt or lemon juice if needed, then refrigerate the sauce until ready to serve.

Step 4 – Pan-Sear the Chicken Kofta

Heat a generous slick of olive oil in a large nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium to medium-high heat. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add the kofta in a single layer, leaving a little space between each piece so they can brown instead of steam.

Cook the kofta, turning occasionally, until they are deeply golden on all sides and cooked through in the center. The outsides should be slightly crisp, while the insides stay moist and tender.

Depending on the size of your pan, you may need to cook the kofta in two batches. Add a little more oil as needed between batches to keep the surface lightly coated.

Step 5 – Plate and Garnish

Spread a generous layer of the garlic yogurt sauce over the bottom of a serving platter or shallow bowl. Nestle the hot kofta on top of the sauce.

Sprinkle with extra chopped parsley and, if you like, an extra drizzle of olive oil or a squeeze of lemon. Serve right away with warm flatbreads, rice, or a simple salad so everyone can scoop kofta through the sauce with each bite.

Serving Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt

This recipe makes enough for about four people, especially if you pair it with a starch and some veggies. Think of it as a flexible main course—you can stretch it a bit further by adding more sides, or keep portions a little larger for hearty appetites.

Some serving ideas:

Spoon the kofta and yogurt over fluffy basmati rice or couscous.
Wrap them in warm flatbreads with crunchy lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes.
Serve alongside a bright salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and olives.
Add pickled onions or quick-pickled cucumbers for a little tangy bite.

If you’re feeding a crowd, you can easily double the recipe and keep the cooked kofta warm in a low oven while you finish the rest.

Storing Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt

Chicken kofta and garlic yogurt are meal-prep friendly, and they reheat surprisingly well when stored properly.

In the fridge (kofta): Let the cooked kofta cool to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container. They’ll keep in the refrigerator for about 3–4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or a little oil, or warm them in a 325°F (160°C) oven until heated through.
In the fridge (yogurt sauce): Store the garlic yogurt in a separate airtight container. It will keep for 3–4 days as well. Give it a good stir before serving; if it thickens, whisk in a tiny splash of water or lemon juice.
Freezing the kofta: You can freeze the cooked or uncooked kofta. Arrange them on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating or cooking.
Freezing the yogurt sauce: Yogurt-based sauces tend to separate when frozen and thawed, so it’s best to make the garlic yogurt fresh.

If you plan to use these for lunches, pack the kofta and yogurt separately so the sauce stays cool and creamy and the meat doesn’t get soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bake the chicken kofta instead of pan-frying?
Yes. Arrange the shaped kofta on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush lightly with olive oil, and bake in a hot oven until cooked through. For the best color, you can finish them under the broiler for a minute or two. The texture will be slightly less crisp than pan-seared kofta but still delicious.

Can I use ground turkey or beef instead of chicken?
You can definitely swap the chicken for ground turkey, beef, or even a mix. Choose a grind with a bit of fat so the kofta stay juicy. The seasonings and yogurt sauce work beautifully with all three options.

Do I have to use Greek yogurt for the sauce?
Greek yogurt gives the sauce a thick, creamy body that stands up to the warm kofta. If you only have regular plain yogurt, you can strain it in a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter for 20–30 minutes to thicken it before mixing in the garlic and lemon.

How do I keep the kofta from falling apart?
Make sure you include both the breadcrumbs and the egg in the mixture, and mix just until everything is evenly combined so the binders can do their job. Chilling the mixture before shaping, and then cooking the kofta in a hot, lightly oiled pan without flipping them constantly, also helps them stay intact.

Is this recipe spicy? Can I make it spicier?
As written, the flavors are warm and aromatic rather than hot. If you’d like more heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the meat mixture, or sprinkle chili flakes over the finished dish.

Want More Chicken Dinner Ideas?

If this Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt becomes a favorite at your house, you might like these other savory meals too:

Try Juicy Grilled Turkey Kofta Skewers when you’re craving smoky, charred flavor right off the grill.
For another simple skillet meal, make Juicy Chicken and Zucchini for a veggie-packed dinner.
Cozy up with Garlic Herb Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Glazed Carrots when you want classic comfort food.
Enjoy a Mediterranean-inspired spread by adding Mediterranean Baked Feta Appetizer to your table.
Or serve your kofta alongside Flavorful Mediterranean Chicken Orzo for a full feast.

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📌 Save this Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt to your Pinterest dinner or meal-prep board so you can find it again whenever the craving hits.

When you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Did you stick with ground chicken, or try turkey or beef? Did you keep the spices mild or add a little extra heat?

Share your twists and questions—I’m always excited to see how others make these recipes their own. For even more recipe inspiration, you can find daily ideas on Pinterest at Life With Livia.

Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt