They’re elegant yet simple and are especially delicious served with lemon rice, hummus, tahini sauce, tabbouleh, grilled veggies, and/or pita. Just 1 bowl, 10 ingredients, and 25 minutes required! Let’s make kofta kebabs!
What is Kofta or Kefta?
Kofta, also spelled kefta, kafta, or kofte refers to meatball- or meatloaf-style dishes made from ground meat mixed with spices and other ingredients. They can be shaped into balls, patties, or cylinders. There are many variations of the dish, and it’s enjoyed in regions ranging from the Middle East to North Africa, South Asia, and beyond. The first recipes for kofta are believed to have come from early Arab cookbooks and were made with lamb. The following is our inspired version made with chicken, and it requires just a few simple spices that achieve a taste similar to what we’ve enjoyed at Middle Eastern restaurants.
How to Make Chicken Kofta Kebabs
We begin this dish by mixing together the ground chicken, herbs, spices, onion, garlic, and breadcrumbs. To keep the recipe simple and approachable, we stuck with just a few basic spices: cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and salt. Black pepper and cayenne are optional and add a little kick! After combining the mixture until the spices are evenly distributed, we form it into cylinders and slide them onto metal skewers. Bamboo skewers also work, but they are prone to burning, so it’s best to soak the bamboo in water if going that route. Once all the kebabs have been formed and skewered, it’s grilling time! For grilling, you can use an outdoor BBQ or a cast iron grill pan on the stovetop. While grilling produces the best flavor, if you don’t have one, you can also form the mixture into patties and cook in an oiled skillet. We hope you LOVE these kofta kebabs! They’re:Elegant yet simpleSubtly spicySatisfyingQuick & easyMiddle Eastern-inspired& SO versatile!
What to Serve with Kofta Kebabs
The serving options are endless! We especially enjoy these kebabs with lemon rice, hummus, tahini sauce, tabbouleh, grilled veggies, and/or pita. They would also be delicious with harissa chickpeas, couscous, dolmas, falafel, and other Middle Eastern dishes.
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If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo @minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
