Name: Chicken Kofta Garlic Yogurt Sauce: Recipe & Easy Steps Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground chicken; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp paprika; 1/2 tsp ground coriander; 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper; Salt and pepper to taste; 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped; 1/4 cup breadcrumbs; 1 cup Greek yogurt; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp lemon juice; Salt and pepper to taste; Fresh mint leaves for garnish

Jump to Recipe·5.1 from 30 reviews

Get ready to meet your new go-to dish: Chicken Kofta Garlic Yogurt Sauce: Recipe & Easy Steps. Imagine tender, spiced chicken koftas packed with fresh herbs, all cozied up under a blanket of bright and creamy garlic yogurt sauce. This recipe is weeknight dinner magic—quick to make, absolutely bursting with savory flavor, and guaranteed to win over guests or picky eaters alike. I can’t wait to take you through each step of this mouthwatering journey!

Chicken Kofta Garlic Yogurt Sauce: Recipe & Easy Steps Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s talk about the simple wonder of these ingredients. Each one is essential, chosen for the role it plays: depth of flavor from the spices, juicy chicken, zippy herbs, and that luscious, tangy yogurt sauce. Your kitchen will smell amazing, and the colors alone will have you reaching for seconds.

Ground Chicken: Lean and mild, perfect for soaking up all the gorgeous spices.
Onion: Finely grated or minced for natural moisture and a subtle sweetness in the kofta mixture.
Garlic: Adds aromatic punch in both kofta and yogurt sauce—don’t be shy!
Fresh Cilantro and Mint: Essential for a burst of herbal freshness and color.
Cumin: Deep, earthy warmth that really defines the kofta flavor.
Coriander: Bright, citrusy backing notes to balance bolder spices.
Paprika: For a subtle smokiness and that gorgeous red hue.
Cayenne Pepper: Optional, for those who like a little heat—totally adjustable.
Breadcrumbs: Soak up moisture, ensuring tender yet sturdy koftas every time.
Egg: Binds your kofta mixture, making it easy to shape.
Salt and Black Pepper: Necessary to round out all the flavors.
Plain Yogurt: The base for our sauce—use full-fat for extra creaminess.
Lemon Juice: For a bright, tangy lift in the yogurt sauce.
Olive Oil: Helps keep kofta juicy and adds a subtle fruitiness.

How to Make Chicken Kofta Garlic Yogurt Sauce: Recipe & Easy Steps

Step 1: Mix the Kofta Ingredients

Begin by placing ground chicken in a large mixing bowl. Grate your onion directly over the chicken so all the lovely juices add moisture. Toss in minced garlic, chopped cilantro, chopped mint, cumin, coriander, paprika, a light sprinkle of cayenne (if using), breadcrumbs, egg, salt, and black pepper. Use clean hands to gently combine everything—don’t overmix! The result should be a soft, slightly sticky mixture that’s beautifully fragrant already.

Step 2: Shape the Koftas

With damp hands, pinch off walnut-sized chunks of the mixture and roll into oblong or round koftas. Arrange them on a tray lined with parchment or a light slick of oil. This helps prevent sticking and makes for easy transfer to pan, grill, or oven. If prepping ahead, you can cover and refrigerate the shaped koftas at this point.

Step 3: Cook the Kofta

You’ve got a couple of great options here. For pan frying, heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium. Working in batches, cook each kofta until golden brown and cooked through (about 8-10 minutes total, turning once). Prefer grilling? Preheat and grill for 10-12 minutes, rotating halfway. Or simply bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes for easy, hands-off cooking.

Step 4: Make the Garlic Yogurt Sauce

While the koftas cook, whip up the sauce. In a bowl, stir together plain yogurt, minced garlic, a splash of lemon juice, a drizzle of olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Taste and adjust as needed—the sauce should be creamy, garlicky, and tangy. Cover and chill until needed.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

Pile the freshly cooked koftas onto a platter and generously dollop or drizzle with the garlic yogurt sauce. Sprinkle over extra herbs, a pinch of paprika, or even a squeeze of extra lemon juice. That’s Chicken Kofta Garlic Yogurt Sauce: Recipe & Easy Steps at its most irresistible—plate, serve, and watch them disappear!

How to Serve Chicken Kofta Garlic Yogurt Sauce: Recipe & Easy Steps

Garnishes

Amp up both looks and flavor with a final flourish. I love a scattering of fresh mint and cilantro, a dusting of paprika, and slivers of pickled red onion. For a bit of extra zest, add a wedge of lemon on the side. These easy garnishes are more than just pretty—each adds its own bright or cooling note to balance the spices.

Side Dishes

Chicken Kofta Garlic Yogurt Sauce: Recipe & Easy Steps plays well with all your favorites. Serve with warm pita or naan bread to scoop up every drop of sauce, or nestle the kofta on fluffy basmati rice. For freshness, add a crunchy chopped salad, or a refreshing cucumber-tomato medley dressed with olive oil and lemon. Roasted vegetables also complement the flavors beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Think beyond the platter! Skewer the koftas for impressive party bites, sandwich them in a pita as a wrap with lettuce and tomatoes, or layer them in a rice bowl with crunchy veggies and plenty of sauce. Stack with small skewers as an appetizer spread, or let kids build their own kofta wraps—fun, interactive, and delicious!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers (which isn’t always the case), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the cooked kofta and garlic yogurt sauce separate to preserve their best textures and flavors. When you’re ready for round two, your meal will still shine!

Freezing

Chicken Kofta Garlic Yogurt Sauce: Recipe & Easy Steps freezes like a dream. Pop the cooked, cooled kofta into a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. The yogurt sauce is best prepared fresh, but you can freeze it if needed—just know it may slightly change in texture after thawing.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the koftas gently in a skillet with a splash of water, or in a moderate oven (about 325°F) until heated through. This preserves juiciness and prevents them from drying out. If you’ve refrigerated the sauce, stir well before serving—add a splash of fresh lemon juice to wake it up.

FAQs

How do I keep my kofta mixture from falling apart?

Use the correct amount of breadcrumbs and egg, and gently mix until well combined. This will bind everything together without making the mixture tough. Shaping with damp hands and refrigerating for 10-15 minutes before cooking also helps.

Can I make Chicken Kofta Garlic Yogurt Sauce: Recipe & Easy Steps without breadcrumbs?

Absolutely! Swap the breadcrumbs with ground oats or even crushed crackers. These alternatives absorb moisture and help maintain the tender texture just like traditional breadcrumbs.

Is this recipe spicy?

It’s completely up to you. The cayenne pepper gives a little kick, but you can dial it back for a milder family-friendly take or ramp it up for heat lovers. That’s the beauty of Chicken Kofta Garlic Yogurt Sauce: Recipe & Easy Steps—it’s flexible!

Can I prepare the kofta and sauce ahead of time?

Definitely! The kofta mixture can chill in the fridge for up to 24 hours, making it even more flavorful, while the garlic yogurt sauce holds up beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Perfect for meal prepping or entertaining.

What’s the secret to juicy, flavorful kofta?

Don’t overmix your ingredients and avoid overcooking—just cook until no longer pink. The combo of grated onion, herbs, and a touch of olive oil ensures every bite stays moist and packed with flavor. Follow the easy instructions in Chicken Kofta Garlic Yogurt Sauce: Recipe & Easy Steps, and success is guaranteed!

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about gathering around a plate of Chicken Kofta Garlic Yogurt Sauce: Recipe & Easy Steps and sharing it with people you love. It’s bold, comforting, and endlessly adaptable—everything you want in a signature dish. I hope you give this easy recipe a try and experience just how delicious and satisfying homemade kofta can be!