Epic Chicken Kafta Recipe (2024)

Kafta is a Middle Eastern kebab (kabob) dish that you will find in any Middle Eastern restaurants and households around the world. This chicken kafta is a fun and delicious twist to the classic kafta dish that’s usually made with lamb or beef.

Oftentimes referred to as chicken Kofta in other middle eastern cultures, essentially the dish is the same with just slight variations in spices. Chicken Kafta is what we call it in Lebanon and it is a very popular chicken kebab (kabob) dish you will find at middle eastern restaurants and cookouts. It is made of ground chicken, fresh parsley, grated onions, salt, and pepper as the main ingredients. There are many variations depending on the spices you wish to add but we have found this grilled chicken kafta recipe to be perfect in taste and texture. It is moist and delicious with the right amount of spices.

If you are looking for a traditional and authentic kafta dish that’s made with ground beef or lamb then check out our Beef Kafta Kabob Recipe

Ingredients you will need

These are just a list of ingredients you will need to make the chicken kafta. Scroll further down for the full measurements.

• Whole wheat bread or bread crumbs: panko works too
• Ground chicken: ground chicken is recommended over ground turkey because if you use ground turkey it will just end up too dry.
• Small onion: do use fresh white onions and do not substitute with onion powder. The taste just wont be the same.
• Garlic Cloves: please use fresh garlic cloves. If you really must and you don’t have any fresh garlic on hand, then use garlic powder.
• Fresh mint (or dried)
• Fresh parsley (important to use fresh and not dried)
• Aleppo or sweet pepper flakes (optional)
• Spice blend to use: ground coriander, sweet paprika, salt and ground black pepper,
• One egg: Used as a binder.
• Olive oil: another oil that would work will be avocado oil.

How to make chicken kafta kebab

Place the bread into a shallow dish and cover it with water. Allow it to sit for a couple of minutes, then take it out and squeeze all the liquid. Place into a large bowl.

Add in the ground chicken, onion, garlic, fresh herbs, and spices. Add the egg, salt, and pepper, then mix until thoroughly combined.

Using your wet hands, take a spoonful of mixture and make it into an oval patty. Stick a bamboo skewer into the middle and continue to gently shape it into a log. Repeat with the remaining mixture.

Refrigerate the kaftas until ready to cook. Heat a gas grill or a grill pan over medium heat. Grease with some oil to prevent the kaftas from sticking.

Cook kaftas for 4-5 minutes per side, until cooked through and nicely charred.

Serve with fattoush salad if desired and enjoy!

Recipe notes, tips, and substitutes

• Use Lean ground chicken if possible. You may use ground turkey if you prefer but the taste and texture will change slightly since the turkey tends to be more on the dry side.
• Don’t like chicken or turkey, make beef kafta instead by using ground beef or lamb
• Use fresh ingredients where possible. It is important to use fresh parsley as that’s what brings out the kafta flavor. You may use dried mint if you cant get your hands on fresh mint.
• You can easily sub the whole wheat bread for breadcrumbs. If your ground chicken is not too lean then you can cut back on the breadcrumbs and use only half the amount.
• Egg and breadcrumbs are important ingredients to act as binders so the whole kebab doesn’t fall apart off the skewer are you grill them.
• Wet your hands with water or oil when adding the chicken kafta to the skewers. This is because it might be a bit sticky and it just makes things easier.
• Do place the chicken kafta in the fridge for a few minutes before adding to the skewers. It makes everything bind together so well.

what to serve with chicken kafta

• Homemade Baba Ganoush
• Easy Homemade Hummus
• Quinoa Veggie Bowl
• Quinoa Tabbouleh
• Mediterranean Chopped Salad
• Cucumber and Tomato Salad
• White rice or for a low carb option, serve with cauliflower rice

frequently asked questions

Other chicken recipes to try

• Buffalo Chicken Bake
• Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Burger
• Chicken Scampi With Zoodles
• Oven-Baked Chicken Cutlets
• Mongolian Chicken
• Balsamic Chicken Breast

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