Chicken Koftas Recipe -

Chicken koftas are tasty ground chicken patties shaped into small logs. They are full of fresh cilantro, mint, garlic, ginger, jalapeño, and warm spices.

This easy recipe takes only 35 minutes. It makes 12 soft and juicy koftas, enough for four servings.

You need 25 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to cook. You can cook the koftas under the broiler, on an outdoor grill, in a grill pan, or in an air fryer.

For firm and juicy koftas, first drain the extra water from the chopped onion and herbs. Then mix them with the ground chicken.

Cook the koftas until the center reaches 165°F (74°C). Serve them with your favorite sides and sauce.

Recipe Overview and Preparation Time

These chicken koftas are great for a fast meal, meal prep, or a small get-together.

Fresh herbs, garlic, ginger, and warm spices add lots of taste. The steps are easy and quick.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Yield: 12 koftas
Serving Size: 3 koftas
Safe Temp: 165°F (74°C)
Cook By: Broil, grill, grill pan, or air fry

Essential Ingredients and Kitchen Preparation

Get all the ingredients ready before you start. Chop the fresh items and measure the spices first. This makes the chicken mix easy to make and helps you shape the koftas well.

Fresh Produce and Aromatics

1 cup coarsely chopped sweet onion
1 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves and soft stems
1/2 cup packed fresh mint leaves
4 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh ginger
1 jalapeño chile, stemmed and chopped

Cilantro and mint add fresh flavor. Onion adds mild sweetness and moisture. Garlic, ginger, and jalapeño add rich flavor with a mild kick.

Drain off extra liquid from the chopped items. This helps the mix stay firm and makes the koftas easier to cook.

Ground Chicken and Binding Items

1 pound lean ground chicken, about 8% fat
1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs or cornmeal
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large egg
Cooking spray, as needed

Ground chicken is the main protein. Breadcrumbs or cornmeal soak up extra moisture and help give the koftas a firm texture.

Olive oil adds rich flavor. The egg helps hold the mix together. Cooking spray keeps the koftas from sticking.

Seasonings and Spices

2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

These spices add warm, rich flavor. They work well with the fresh herbs without hiding the taste of the chicken.

Measure all the spices before you mix the chicken. This helps keep the flavor even in every kofta

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Finely Chop the Aromatics

Add the onion, cilantro, mint, garlic, ginger, and jalapeño to a food processor. Pulse about 10 times, using 1-second pulses. Stop when the mix is very finely chopped.

Do not blend it into a smooth paste. A fine, chopped mix blends well with the ground chicken.

Step 2: Remove Excess Moisture

Place the onion and herb mix on a clean kitchen towel. Gather the towel edges and twist them tight around the mix.

Hold the towel over the sink. Squeeze hard to remove as much liquid as you can. This keeps the chicken mix from getting too wet. A wet mix can make the koftas hard to shape. It can also make them fall apart as they cook.

Put the squeezed onion and herb mix into a large bowl.

Step 3: Combine the Chicken and Seasonings

Add the ground chicken, breadcrumbs or cornmeal, olive oil, egg, garlic powder, salt, cumin, coriander, and black pepper to the bowl.

Use clean hands or a large spoon to mix gently. Mix just until all the items are well combined. Do not mix too much. Overmixing can make the chicken dense and tough.

If the mix feels sticky, wet your hands with a little water. This will help you shape the koftas with ease.

Step 4: Shape the Koftas

Divide the chicken mix into 12 equal parts. Shape each part into a 3-inch-long, 1½-inch-wide cylinder.

Press each kofta gently. Make them firm and even, but do not pack the meat too tightly. Place the koftas on a baking sheet until ready to cook.

For an outdoor grill, place the koftas on wooden or metal skewers. Soak wooden skewers in water first. This helps keep them from burning.

3 Cooking Methods for Chicken Koftas

You can cook these chicken koftas in a few ways. Use an oven, grill, grill pan, or air fryer. No matter which method you use, leave space around each kofta. Cook until the center reaches 165°F (74°C).

Method 1: Oven Broiler

Heat the oven broiler. Place the top rack about 7 inches from the heat.
Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil. Spray it with cooking spray.
Place the 12 koftas on the sheet. Leave about 2 inches of space between them.
Spray the tops with a light coat of cooking spray.
Broil for about 8 minutes. Turn the koftas halfway through.
Check the thickest kofta with an instant-read thermometer.

The koftas should be brown on the outside. The center must reach 165°F (74°C). If needed, broil for a little longer.

Method 2: Outdoor Grill or Grill Pan

Outdoor grill

Heat the grill to medium heat, about 350°F to 400°F (175°C to 200°C).
Clean the grill grates. Lightly oil them to help stop the koftas from sticking.
Put the koftas on skewers. Place them on the hot grill.
Cover the grill. Cook for about 8 minutes. Turn the skewers every 2 minutes.
Check the center with an instant-read thermometer.

Cook longer if needed. The koftas should be brown and a bit charred on the outside. The center must reach 165°F (74°C).

Stovetop grill pan

Lightly oil a large grill pan. Heat it over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes.
Place the koftas on the hot pan. Leave some space between them.
Cook without a lid for about 10 minutes. Turn them every 2 minutes.
Check the thickest kofta with a meat thermometer. It must reach 165°F (74°C).

Cooking time may vary. Thicker koftas or lower heat may need more time.

Method 3: Air Fryer

Heat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 2 minutes.
Spray the koftas with a light coat of cooking spray.
Place them in one layer in the basket. Do not let them overlap.
Cook for about 8 minutes. Turn them after 4 minutes.
Check the thickest kofta with an instant-read thermometer.

If the basket is too small, cook the koftas in batches. The koftas are ready when the center reaches 165°F (74°C).

Tips for Juicy and Firm Chicken Koftas

Remove extra moisture: Too much liquid can make the chicken mix loose. Squeeze the onion and herbs well in a clean towel before mixing.
Do not overmix: Mix only until all the items are well combined. Too much mixing can make the koftas firm and dense.
Shape each kofta evenly: Keep the koftas the same size and thickness. This helps them cook at the same rate.
Wet your hands: Use a little water on your hands when shaping. This keeps the mix from sticking.
Leave space between koftas: Give each piece room when broiling, grilling, or air frying. This helps them cook and brown well.
Check the heat: Cook the koftas to 165°F (74°C). Put a food thermometer into the thickest part to check.
Cook in small batches: Do not pack the air fryer or pan too full. Good space lets hot air move around each kofta.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the chicken koftas warm with simple sides and sauces. Fresh herbs and warm spices pair well with light, fresh foods.

Rice: Serve with hot basmati rice or simple seasoned rice.
Flatbread: Add warm pita, naan, or soft flatbread.
Fresh salad: Mix cucumber, tomato, and lettuce. Add a light lemon dressing.
Yogurt sauce: Try mint yogurt or a simple garlic yogurt dip.
Roasted vegetables: Serve with roasted peppers, zucchini, or other fresh vegetables.
Lemon wedges: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving.

For a full meal, serve three koftas per person with rice or flatbread, fresh vegetables, and a dip.

Complete Nutrition Facts per Serving

The recipe makes 12 chicken koftas and provides four servings of three koftas each. Each serving contains approximately 353 calories and 30 grams of protein.

The nutritional values below are estimates and may vary depending on the specific ingredients and brands used.

Nutrient	Amount Per Serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	353 kcal	—
Total Fat	21 g	27%
Saturated Fat	5 g	25%
Cholesterol	168 mg	56%
Sodium	555 mg	24%
Total Carbohydrate	13 g	5%
Dietary Fiber	2 g	7%
Total Sugars	3 g	—
Protein	30 g	60%
Vitamin C	9 mg	10%
Calcium	66 mg	5%
Iron	3 mg	16%
Potassium	963 mg	20%