Chicken kafta with garlic yogurt sauce

Name: Chicken kafta with garlic yogurt sauce
Total time: 1800 s
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 kg ground chicken; 1 onion, very finely grated; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1/4 cup cilantro/ parsley, finely chopped; 1 tsp. ground cumin; 1 tsp. ground coriander; 1/2 tsp. paprika; 1/2 tsp. salt (adjust to taste); 1/4 tsp. black pepper; 1 tbsp. olive oil; 1 cup plain yogurt; 2 cloves garlic, crushed; 1 tbsp. lemon juice; 1 tbsp. olive oil; To taste, salt

Sarvat Hanif @sarvathanif

Canada

There’s something incredibly special about the meals we prepare during Ramadan. After a long day of fasting, the aroma of spices sizzling in the kitchen feels like comfort itself. One dish that always finds its way to our iftar table is chicken kafta with garlic yogurt sauce — simple, flavourful, and perfect for sharing.
This recipe brings warmth, tradition, and just the right amount of indulgence to your Ramadan spread.
During Ramadan, we look for meals that are nourishing but not too heavy, packed with flavour, easy to prepare ahead of time and crowd-pleasing.
Chicken kafta is lighter than beef or lamb, yet still juicy and satisfying. Paired with cool, creamy garlic yogurt sauce, it creates the perfect balance after a day of fasting.
Kafta (also spelled kofta or kefta) is a beloved Middle Eastern dish made with ground meat, herbs, and warm spices. While it’s popular across countries like Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey, every family has their own version.
This chicken variation is especially great for Ramadan because it’s lighter on the stomach while still deeply flavourful.
For a beautiful Ramadan spread, serve chicken kafta with warm pita bread, fluffy rice or vermicelli rice, fresh salad, hummus. It also pairs wonderfully with lentil soup.

Sarvat Hanif @sarvathanif

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Ingredients

25-30minutes

6 servings

1/2 kgground chicken
1onion, very finely grated
3 clovesgarlic, minced
1/4 cupcilantro/ parsley, finely chopped
1 tsp.ground cumin
1 tsp.ground coriander
1/2 tsp.paprika
1/2 tsp.salt (adjust to taste)
1/4 tsp.black pepper
1 tbsp.olive oil
1 cupplain yogurt
2 clovesgarlic, crushed
1 tbsp.lemon juice
1 tbsp.olive oil
To taste, salt

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Steps

25-30minutes

1

In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, onion, garlic, cilantro/parsley, and spices. Mix gently — over mixing can make the kafta dense.
2

Cover and let it rest in the fridge for 20–30 minutes.
3

With slightly damp hands, shape the mixture onto skewers or form into oval/oblong patties.
4

You can: Grill (best smoky flavour), bake at 400°F (200°C) for 18–20 minutes or pan-sear over medium heat for about 4–5 minutes per side.
5

Cook until golden outside and fully cooked inside.
6

Mix yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. Let it chill in the fridge while the kafta cooks. The longer it sits, the better it tastes.
7

Serve the kafta with desired sides and garlic sauce.