Middle Eastern Chicken Kafta Kebab
Nom Nom ❤!! Go for Middle Eastern Cuisine!!
Today I’m presenting restaurant-style Middle Eastern Chicken Kafta Kebab or Kafta Kabob recipe with mixed Salata Salad and Crispy French Fries!! These Kafta kebabs are also known as Kefta Kabobs or Kofta in the Middle East and very popular and fondly eaten all over the world. Particularly this dish is from Lebanese cuisine but I changed the spices a little bit to satisfy my desi cravings.
They can be made out of various types of meat (chicken/lamb/ground beef) and normally served with flatbread, yogurt, hummus and salad. Originally the grilled kafta Kebabs are the skewers of a chicken/lamb mince which is mixed with fresh parsley, onions, garlic and Middle Eastern spices!
What is Kafta Kebab or Kabob?
Kafta Kebab or kabob, also called as kofta, is a Lebanese meatball skewer made with ground beef/chicken, or lamb. It touts a savory, rich flavor due to the seasoning of herbs, onions, and Middle Eastern spices. You’ll find it served alongside other traditional goodies like hummus, pita bread, baba ganoush, and spiced rice. It’s tender, juicy, and perfect for your next backyard BBQ.
Check Out More Middle Eastern Recipes »You may also like:“These delicious Chicken Kafta Kebabs are assumed as a perfect low-carb, paleo diet. Perfect for those who are diet conscious. Ideal lunch for summers.”
These chicken Kebabs can be made and freeze for kids’ school lunch boxes too. Very simple but packed with nutrition and flavor. You can freeze and broil or grill these chicken kafta kebabs whenever you need. I used my grill pan on my stove this time. If you don’t want to skewer them at all, you can just shape them into balls or patties. Whatever you do it flavors heaven!
healthline.com
Chicken is rich in an array of important nutrients and can be an excellent addition to a healthy, well-rounded diet. Low in calories but high in protein, it may be especially beneficial for weight loss, if that’s a goal for you.
HOW DO YOU MAKE CHICKEN KAFTA KEBABS?
STEP#1: Do all the prep in a food processor. It makes everything super fine and that way when it’s all mixed together, the flavors are more robust! Start with about ½ bunch of parsley with one yellow onion, remove the stems of parsley, wash and dry them, and pulse in the food processor.
STEP#2: Now put everything together. Chicken mince and Kafta spices. Pulse the food processor a few times until everything is well combined and forms a pasty meat mixture. Done!!
STEP#3: When you shape the kafta, you can shape them around a wooden skewer to make grilling easier or just shape them with your hands if you’re grilling indoors.
The result is a juicy, flavorful protein packed chicken kafta that is ideal with so many wonderful Lebanese side dishes.
Watch how to make Lebanese CHICKEN KAFTA Kebab
WHAT CAN BE SERVED WITH CHICKEN KAFTA?
- Fattoush Salad – Great option if you’re doing low-carb or keto.
- Hummus – This works well for making sandwiches with the kafta.
- Lebanese Rice – It’s the classic and comforting side dish for kafta.
- Bulgur Pilaf – When you want some grains but not plain white rice.
- Garlicky yogurt sauce – Use plain unsweetened yogurt, and mix it with a bit of fresh parsley, lemon juice and zest, salt, and pepper.
Storing THE Leftover OR MAKE A HEAD PRACTICE:
If you have leftovers to store away or want to prep ahead for a party, here’s all you need to know to keep your kafta fresh.
Storing Leftovers:
To keep your leftovers on hand for up to 5 days, store the kabobs in an airtight container in the fridge. This will keep the meat from drying out too quickly.
Make-Ahead:
If you’re preparing kafta for a party or just meal-prepping, you can assemble the skewers and store them raw in an airtight container for up to 2 days. I recommend storing them raw because they are so delicious when grilled right before serving!
Reheating:
The best way to reheat kafta is in a baking dish covered with foil in the oven. You want to be extra careful not to overcook them!
Here I’m going to tell you the recipe of Pan-fried Chicken Kafta Kebbobs with Homemade Arabic Flatbread and Salata Salad (Turkish Salad).
Let’s try the recipe! This is a full meal platter that makes you and your family happy 🙂 Enjoy my recipe now!
Homemade Chicken Kafta Kebab Recipe Card!
Lebanese Chicken Kafta Kebab (Kabobs)
Ingredients
To make Pan Fried Chicken Kafta Kabab/Kebob:
- 1 kg Chicken mince
- 1 Tbsp Garlic Chopped
- 1 Tbsp Ginger Chopped
- 2 medium Onion Chopped
- 2 medium Tomatoes , cut into small dices
- 1 Cup Fresh Parsley (coriander), Fine chopped
- 4 Green Chilies fine chopped
- 1/2 TSP Cumin powder roasted and crushed
- 1/2 TSP Coriander Powder roasted and crushed
- 1 TSP Black pepper Freshly Crushed
- 1 TSP Red chili flakes
- 1 TBSP Seekh Kabab Masala Brand: Shan, Optional (but this adds more flavor)
- Salt to taste
- 2 Tbsp Yogurt thick (hung curd)
- 1 TBSP Lemon Juice
- Oil for shallow fry, as needed
To make Salata Salad:
- 1 medium Carrots cut into thin Julian
- 1 medium Onion cut into thin Julian
- 1 medium Cucumber cut into thin Julian (cut the seeds out)
- 1 medium Tomato cut into thin Julian (cut the seeds out)
- Fresh Parsley coriander few leaves – chopped
- Mint few leaves – chopped
- 1 TSP Paprika powder
- 1/2 TSP Black pepper Freshly crushed
- Salt a pinch
- 1 TBSP Olive Oil
- 1 TBSP Lemon Juice
To make Homemade Arabic Flatbread:
- 500 gm All Purpose Flour
- 1/2 TSP Salt
- 1/2 TSP Sugar
- half cup Warm Milk
- Warm water to knead – as required
- 4 TBSP Olive Oil
To make Crispy Potato Fries – French Fries:
- Half Kg Potatoes Cut into French Fries Style (Finger Cut)
- 1 Bowl Chilled Water with ice cubes
- 1-2 TBSP Corn Flour
- Oil as needed, for deep frying
Instructions
To make Kafta Kebab/Kebob:
STEP #1:
- Take a bowl and add all Ingredients of kebab mentioned above with chicken mince. Mix together until all spices and onion are well blended into the chicken mince.
- Leave the kebab mixture in the fridge to marinate for 3-4 hours
STEP #2:
- Take flat wooden skewers and dip into water for 15-20 minutes.
- Heat up your Grill Pan.
- Now make Kafat Kababs:
- By using your hands, shape the chicken mixture evenly around the prepared skewers and shallow fry on the preheated grill pan on medium heat. Turn the side after 5 minutes. Take out when fully cooked.
- Repeat the process to make all kebabs.
- Or if you want to:
- BROIL: Place skewers on a baking pan and broil approx 3-4 minutes each side.
- GRILL: Lightly grease grill. Grill skewers approximately 3-4 minutes each side.
Recipe Of Homemade Arabic FlatBread
- Take a deep bowl and mix all the ingredients mentioned above to knead the dough. Apply some oil on the dough and cover. Rest the dough for 30-60 minutes to make perfect flatbread.
- Now make small balls and make them round and flat with the help of a rolling pin. Sprinkle little flour if needed.
- Preheat the skillet and cook the flatbread, same as you cook regular chapatis.
Recipe Of Salata Salad (Turkish Salad)
- Take a bowl and add all ingredients together. Mix well and keep in the fridge until served.
Recipe Of Crispy French Fries
- Cut the potatoes in finger cut.
- Take a bowl, add chilled water and ice cubes. Add salt and leave for 2 hours.
- Then drain out the water and pat dry the potatoes with the help of a kitchen paper towel or cloth. Mix 1-2 tbsp of corn flour.
- Take a deep wok or pan and heat the oil to deep fry on high flame. Now add the potatoes fingers in hot oil and deep fry them on medium heat till crisp golden. Take out on oil absorbent paper and mix salt immediately.
Serve hot with Kafta Kebobs, salad and ketchup. Enjoy!!
Notes
5 Simple Tips
- Wet your hands with a bit of water as you form the chicken kafta oval patties (if you’re making kebobs without skewers). The chicken mixture will feel like a sticky mess when you are trying to form the oval patties. That’s okay!
- Chill the chicken kafta for few minutes before grilling. Arrange the raw kafta on a large tray (make sure they’re not touching) and chill for a few minutes while your grill is heating. This will help keep them from falling apart when grilled.
- Will these chicken kafta be as good on an indoor grill or griddle? Absolutely. You do not have to fire up an outdoor grill if you don’t need to.
- To make chicken kafta kebabs on skewers. Instead of forming the chicken mixture into oval patties, take a fistful portion of the meat mixture and mold it on a wooden skewer (previously soaked in water). You’ll want to work your hand up and down the skewer to make sure the chicken mixture is fully attached to it.
- Grease your grill pan or indoor griddle well. You don’t want your kafta kebobs to get stuck or they’ll fall apart when you turn them over. Be sure to wipe the grates of a gas grill or your indoor griddle or skillet with a bit of oil, then heat the grill to medium-high.
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water while you prepare the kebabs.
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NUTRITION INFORMATION
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. Please contact your dietician or nutritionist for further help.
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