Easy Juicy Chicken Kofta
Easy Juicy Chicken Kofta delivers restaurant-quality flavor at home. I’ve made this recipe dozens of times and know the secret to perfect texture. Juicy, crispy on the outside, and tender inside. Try it with my Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin with Orange Chimichurri Sauce. Jump to Recipe If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin with Orange Chimichurri Sauce and No-Bake Peanut Butter Energy Bites Recipe.
Why This Easy Juicy Chicken Kofta Is Pure Comfort
- Perfectly balanced flavor
- Tender and juicy meat
- Easy to make
- Great with any side
What You'll Need for Easy Juicy Chicken Kofta
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1 small onion, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cumin
- Turmeric
- Paprika
- Garlic
- Onion
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Fresh cilantro
- Optional: Toasted almonds
- Optional: Lemon wedges
- Optional: Chopped parsley
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Yogurt: Use full-fat for best texture and flavor.
- Ground chicken: Ensure it's fresh for optimal taste and moisture.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Non-stick skillet — Prevents sticking and ensures even cooking → See on Amazon
- Wooden spoon — Ideal for mixing and stirring without damaging pans → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Juicy Chicken Kofta
- Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, mix ground chicken, yogurt, grated onion, garlic, cumin, turmeric, paprika, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Form kofta: Using your hands, shape the mixture into 8-10 meatballs. Place on a baking sheet.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.
- Make yogurt sauce: In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 1 clove garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth.
- Serve: Serve kofta with the garlic yogurt sauce and your choice of sides.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Juicy Chicken Kofta
- Texture tip: Add a bit of bread crumbs to the chicken mix for extra moisture and tenderness.
- Common mistake and fix: If kofta falls apart, it might be due to too much moisture. Add more bread crumbs or egg to bind the mixture.
- Cooking tip: Bake kofta on a wire rack for even cooking and a crispy exterior.
- Sauce tip: Let the yogurt sauce sit for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to blend.
Storing & Reheating Easy Juicy Chicken Kofta
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: Make kofta up to a day in advance. Add sauce before serving.
Freezing Easy Juicy Chicken Kofta
Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat in oven.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in 30-second bursts until warmed through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Use a wooden spoon to mix the chicken to avoid overworking the meat.
- Best substitution: For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of regular.
- Make-ahead: Prepare kofta ahead and store in the fridge for easy meal prep.
- Scaling: Double or triple the recipe for larger gatherings.
- Troubleshooting: If kofta is too dry, add a bit more yogurt or water to the mix.
Want to level up this recipe?
Meat thermometer — Ensures perfect doneness without overcooking → Check price on Amazon
Easy Juicy Chicken Kofta
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1 small onion, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Seasonings
- Cumin
- Turmeric
- Paprika
- Garlic
- Onion
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Fresh cilantro
- Toasted almonds
- Lemon wedges
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, mix ground chicken, yogurt, grated onion, garlic, cumin, turmeric, paprika, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Form kofta: Using your hands, shape the mixture into 8-10 meatballs. Place on a baking sheet.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.
- Make yogurt sauce: In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 1 clove garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth.
- Serve: Serve kofta with the garlic yogurt sauce and your choice of sides.
Notes
- Chef tip: Use a wooden spoon to mix the chicken to avoid overworking the meat.
- Best substitution: For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of regular.
- Make-ahead: Prepare kofta ahead and store in the fridge for easy meal prep.
- Scaling: Double or triple the recipe for larger gatherings.
- Troubleshooting: If kofta is too dry, add a bit more yogurt or water to the mix.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat in oven.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in 30-second bursts until warmed through.
- Make ahead: Make kofta up to a day in advance. Add sauce before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 95mg
- Sat. Fat: 6g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Juicy Chicken Kofta FAQs
Yes, you can make the kofta up to a day in advance and store in the fridge. Add the sauce before serving.
It could be due to too much moisture in the mix. Add bread crumbs or egg to bind the chicken better.
Yes, freeze cooked kofta in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat in the oven.
Yes, as long as the yogurt and seasonings are gluten-free. Check labels for assurance.
If you don't have ground chicken, you can use ground turkey or beef as a substitute.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Juicy Chicken Kofta and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
