Dinner

Chicken Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce Recipe

ByHarper Ellington February 6, 2026February 6, 2026

Introduction

These Chicken Koftas with Garlic Yogurt Sauce are a flavorful and juicy delight, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal. The blend of aromatic spices in the koftas pairs beautifully with the tangy, creamy yogurt sauce.

The image shows skewers with grilled meatballs placed on a white plate with green dill sprinkled on top. Each skewer has golden brown meatballs with a slightly charred texture. Drizzled over the meatballs is a white sauce with green herb bits, giving a creamy look. A lemon wedge and a bunch of parsley sit on the side, adding fresh green and yellow colors. The plate rests on a white marbled surface, making the colors of the food stand out. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

500 grams ground chicken
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup plain yogurt
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to evenly distribute the ingredients.
Step 2: Form the mixture into small oval-shaped koftas, about the size of a golf ball elongated slightly.
Step 3: Preheat your grill and brush the grates with olive oil to prevent sticking.
Step 4: Grill the koftas for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure they cook evenly and are cooked through.
Step 5: While the koftas cook, prepare the garlic yogurt sauce by mixing plain yogurt, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl.
Step 6: Serve the grilled koftas hot with the garlic yogurt sauce on the side for dipping or drizzling.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of smoked paprika or chili flakes to the kofta mixture.
You can cook the koftas in a skillet if you don’t have a grill—just heat olive oil over medium heat and cook until browned and cooked through.
Garnish with extra fresh parsley or chopped mint for a fresh, herby touch.
Use Greek yogurt for a thicker, creamier sauce.

Storage

Store any leftover koftas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the garlic yogurt sauce separate in its own container. Reheat the koftas gently in a skillet or microwave, and stir the sauce before serving.

How to Serve

Four skewers of grilled meatballs are arranged diagonally on a white plate. The meatballs are golden brown with charred spots showing they are well cooked. A creamy white sauce with green herbs is drizzled over the top of the meatballs. There are scattered fresh dill leaves on the sauce and a wedge of lemon at the top left corner of the plate. At the edge of the plate, a dollop of similar creamy sauce is garnished with a fresh green parsley leaf. The background surface is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these koftas ahead of time?

Yes, you can shape the koftas and keep them covered in the refrigerator for a few hours before grilling. This can help the flavors meld while saving time when ready to cook.