Chicken Kofta Kebabs

Chicken kofta kebabs bring the spiced, aromatic character of Middle Eastern-style grilled skewers to a lighter minced chicken version. Kofta is shaped rather than cubed, so the texture should be juicy and cohesive, with grated onion, garlic and parsley worked through the meat and warm spices such as cumin, coriander and cinnamon giving depth without heaviness. A short chill helps the mixture firm up before grilling, while light charring adds savoury edge. Served with lemony yoghurt, flatbread and crisp salads, these kebabs suit an easy dinner as well as a relaxed sharing meal.
Cuisine style Middle Eastern-style grilled kofta
Spice level Mild
Cooking style Meal prep friendly • Freezer-friendly • Crowd-friendly
Time commitment Under 1 hour

Why this recipe works

  • Warm, balanced seasoning: Cumin, coriander and cinnamon give the chicken depth without overpowering the fresh parsley, garlic and lemon.
  • A cohesive kofta mixture: Mixing the mince until tacky helps the koftas hold their shape on the skewers and cook evenly on the grill.
  • Easy to serve: The kebabs work well with flatbread, salads and yoghurt sauce, making them suitable for simple dinners or sharing-style meals.

Get the most out of this recipe

Timing notes

  • Chill before shaping: A short chill firms the chicken mixture, making it easier to press securely around the skewers.
  • Rest briefly after grilling: Let the koftas rest for a couple of minutes so the juices settle before serving.

Common mistakes

  • Leaving the onion too wet: Excess liquid from the grated onion can loosen the mixture and make the koftas slide off the skewers.
  • Not cooking the chicken through: Chicken koftas should feel firm, with clear juices and no raw centre before they come off the grill.
  • Using heat that is too fierce: Medium-high heat gives char without burning the outside before the chicken is fully cooked.

Serving ideas

  • Serve with flatbread and salad: Warm flatbread, chopped salad or a cucumber-tomato salad make the kebabs feel like a complete meal.
  • Add lemon yoghurt sauce: The yoghurt sauce brings cooling acidity that balances the grilled meat and warm spices.
  • Finish with freshness: Extra lemon juice and chopped herbs brighten the koftas just before serving.

Make-ahead tips

  • Prepare the aromatics ahead: Grate the onion, squeeze it well, and chop the herbs in advance to make assembly quicker.
  • Reheat gently: Reheat cooked koftas on a hot grill or in a 200°C (390°F) oven until piping hot.
  • Freeze cooked koftas: Freeze cooked koftas once cooled, then defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients

Kofta

Yoghurt sauce

Instructions
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  1. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 20 minutes. Coarsely grate the onion, then squeeze out as much liquid as you can. Finely grate the garlic and finely chop the parsley.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine the minced chicken with the onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, fine sea salt and black pepper. Mix vigorously for 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture turns tacky and holds together. Cover and chill for 10 minutes to make shaping easier.
  3. Heat the grill to medium-high and oil the grates with a little of the extra virgin olive oil. Divide the mixture into 8 portions and press each portion firmly around a skewer into a long sausage shape. Brush the koftas lightly with the remaining olive oil.
  4. Grill the koftas for 10 to 12 minutes, turning every 2 to 3 minutes, until lightly charred and cooked through. They should feel firm and the juices should run clear. Rest for 2 minutes before serving.
  5. Make the yoghurt sauce by stirring the greek yogurt with finely grated lemon zest and a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve the koftas with the sauce and extra lemon juice to taste.

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Recipe notes

Serving suggestions

This recipe pairs well with:

Yoghurt sauce Flatbread Salads

Tips

  • Squeezing the grated onion well is key: too much onion liquid can make the kofta mixture loose and prone to slipping off the skewers.
  • For the best texture, mix the chicken until it turns sticky and cohesive; this helps the koftas hold together on the grill.
  • Food safety: if serving to pregnant people, young children, older adults, or anyone immunocompromised, use pasteurised greek yogurt.

Substitutions

  • Replace Fresh parsley with Fresh coriander for a different herb profile.
  • Replace Greek yogurt with Yogurt for a looser, lighter sauce.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Cool the cooked koftas, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Reheat on a hot grill or in a 200°C (390°F) oven until piping hot. Freeze cooked koftas for up to 2 months; defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

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Chicken Kofta Kebabs
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 45min (30min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern
  • Allergens:
    Milk
Beginner friendly With serving suggestions Freezer friendly Kid friendly

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