Description
Epic Chicken Kafta is a Middle Eastern-inspired dish featuring juicy, seasoned ground chicken skewers grilled to perfection. This easy-to-follow recipe combines aromatic spices and herbs for a flavorful and impressive meal, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 small onion, finely grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Skewers (metal or soaked wooden)
Instructions
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning on the grill.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, grated onion, minced garlic, parsley, spices (cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and pepper), olive oil, and lemon juice. Mix well until the ingredients are fully incorporated to create your Epic Chicken Kafta mixture.
- Divide the mixture into equal portions (around 6–8). With wet hands, shape each portion around a skewer, forming a long, elongated kebab. Press firmly to ensure they stick to the skewer, creating your sensational chicken kafta.
- For enhanced flavor, cover the kebabs and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This helps develop the flavors, making them even more delicious.
- While the kebabs are marinating, preheat your grill or grill pan over medium heat.
- Once the grill is hot, place the Chicken Kafta skewers on the grill. Cook for about 6-8 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and they develop a nice golden-brown crust, achieving the perfect Epic Chicken Kafta.
- After removing the skewers from the grill, allow them to rest for a couple of minutes. This keeps them juicy.
- Arrange the grilled Chicken Kafta on a platter and serve immediately for a truly wow factor chicken kafta experience.
Notes
- Fresh parsley adds brightness. You can also experiment with cilantro for a different flavor profile.
- Ensure your skewers are sturdy enough to support the kafta without bending or breaking.
- A grill thermometer can help maintain the perfect cooking temperature for even grilling results.
- For a spicy variant, add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the mixture.
- Ground chicken thighs can be used instead of breast for extra flavor and moisture.
- You can bake the kafta instead of grilling by placing skewers on a baking sheet and baking at 400°F for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Marinating for at least 30 minutes is recommended, but you can marinate up to 2 hours for even more flavor.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze cooked Chicken Kafta for up to 3 months, wrapped well to prevent freezer burn.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer (approx. 1/6 to 1/8 of the recipe)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: N/A
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Fiber: N/A
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: N/A