Quick and Easy Chicken Kofta Kebab with Creamy Herb Sauce

Ingredients

For the Kofta:

• Chicken breast, minced: 500g (1.1 lbs)
• Zucchini, grated: 200g (1 medium)
• Carrot, grated: 100g (1 medium)
• Onion, grated: 120g (1 small)
• Parsley, chopped: ¼ cup
• Garlic, grated: 1 tbsp (15g)
• White flour: 3 tbsp (45g)
• Vegetable oil: for searing

Spice Mix:

• Salt: 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper: 1 teaspoon
• Smoked paprika: 1 teaspoon
• Chili flakes: 1 teaspoon
• Cumin: 1 teaspoon

For the Creamy Herb Sauce:

• Sour cream or yogurt: ½ cup (120g)
• Mayonnaise: ½ cup (120g)
• Dried dill: 1 teaspoon
• Dried parsley: 1 teaspoon
• Vinegar: 1 teaspoon
• Salt and black pepper: to taste

Instructions

Preparing the Vegetables (15 minutes):

1. Grate vegetables:

• Zucchini
• Carrot
• Onion

1. Salt treatment:

• Mix grated vegetables with a pinch of salt
• Let sit for 10 minutes
• Squeeze out excess water using a strainer or clean kitchen towel

Making the Kofta Mixture (10 minutes):

1. In a large mixing bowl combine:

• Squeezed vegetables
• Minced chicken breast
• Chopped parsley
• Grated garlic
• White flour
• All spices (salt, pepper, paprika, chili, cumin)

1. Mix thoroughly until well combined

Shaping and Cooking (20 minutes):

1. Shape the patties:

• Wet hands to prevent sticking
• Form equal-sized patties
• Make them about 1/2 inch thick

1. Cook the kofta:

• Heat oil in pan over medium heat
• Cook 4-5 minutes per side
• Look for golden-brown color
• Cook in batches if needed

Preparing the Sauce (5 minutes):

1. In a mixing bowl, combine:

• Sour cream or yogurt
• Mayonnaise
• Dried herbs
• Vinegar
• Salt and pepper

1. Mix until smooth and creamy

Nutritional Information (per serving, serves 6)

• Calories: 320
• Protein: 25g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Fat: 20g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sodium: 580mg

Time Requirements:

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cooking Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes

Pro Tips and Tricks

1. Vegetable Preparation:

• Use the fine side of the grater
• Squeeze vegetables thoroughly to remove moisture
• Don’t skip the salting step

1. Perfect Patties:

• Keep hands wet while shaping
• Make uniform sizes for even cooking
• Don’t make them too thick

1. Cooking Success:

• Don’t overcrowd the pan
• Maintain medium heat
• Let pan reheat between batches

1. Sauce Enhancement:

• Make sauce ahead for better flavor
• Adjust herbs to taste
• Use full-fat dairy for richness

Variations and Substitutions

1. Meat Options:

• Ground turkey
• Mix of chicken and turkey
• Ground beef

1. Vegetable Alternatives:

• Grated butternut squash
• Grated sweet potato
• Finely chopped spinach

1. Sauce Variations:

• Use Greek yogurt for tangier taste
• Add grated cucumber for tzatziki style
• Include fresh herbs instead of dried

1. Spice Adjustments:

• Add sumac for authenticity
• Include za’atar
• Adjust heat level with chili