Easy Air Fryer Chicken Kofta Recipe

This Easy Air Fryer Chicken Kofta is a super simple twist on a classic Middle Eastern recipe. Made with less than ten ingredients, it’s ready in under an hour. Plus, there are endless ways to serve it so you’ll never get bored!

What Is Chicken Kofta? 

Kofta is a delicious dish commonly found in Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Mediterranean cuisines. Seasoned ground meat such as ground beef, lamb, or chicken forms the base of the recipe.

Then, we add vegetables, herbs, and spices before shaping the mixture into meatballs. Next, we pair the chicken meatballs and grill, fry, or bake them.

Many variations of kofta exist — you can find beef kofta, shrimp kofta, and chicken kofta like these meatballs. But no matter how it’s made it’s always a popular dish!

Kofta recipes always feature ground meat, spices and herbs, breadcrumbs, garlic, and onions. These specific ingredients are what give kofta of all kinds its signature savory, herbaceous flavor!

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know to make easy chicken kofta meatballs at home! 

What does kofta mean?

The word “kofta” is believed to have originated in Iran. The Persian word, kufte, directly translates to mean “pounded meat” or “finely chopped meat.” 

No matter where you find it in the world, each culture’s take on kofta involves some sort of ground meat. That’s why this word is the perfect descriptor for this type of food!

Is Chicken Kofta Healthy? 

Chicken kofta is a fairly healthy option in our opinion! Compared to traditional kofta recipes, chicken kofta meatballs are higher in protein and lower in fat.

For this recipe, we use just a handful of simple ingredients and no extra oil or butter. As a result, these chicken kofta meatballs are a well-balanced recipe made with lots of protein and moderate amounts of carbs and fats!

Chicken Kofta vs Chicken Kabobs

Kofta and kabobs are similar and often used interchangeably. However, they are not the same things. 

The preparation of the chicken is the primary difference between chicken kofta and chicken kofta kebabs.

• Chicken kofta features ground chicken mixed with other ingredients and molded into balls. 
• Chicken kabobs are skewers of meat (often chicken breast) and sometimes veggies like onions and bell peppers. Kabobs do not consist of a patty-like mixture like kofta. They also consist of different seasonings, offering a completely different flavor experience.

What’s In Kofta? 

Everyone has their own way of making kofta, using a variety of different ingredients. However, for our version, we stuck to simple, easy-to-find items that add loads of flavor with minimal effort! 

• Chicken – We use boneless, skinless chicken breast, and ground it up. However, you could skip a step and use ground chicken instead. 
• Aromatics – Use two small shallots and two whole garlic cloves for a pungent, tangy, slightly sweet taste. 
• Seasonings – The use of shawarma spice, salt, and black pepper creates a bold flavor that is sweet, warm, and earthy all at once. We almost always have homemade shawarma spice on hand. However, you can also easily find shawarma spice online or at your local grocery store. 
• Egg – Use a large egg to help bind the ingredients and ensure the meatballs hold their shape. 
• Dried Breadcrumbs – These help absorb excess moisture from the kofta balls. As a result, they give the chicken kofta mixture body and help prevent the mixture from drying out as it cooks. 
• Fresh Herbs – Fresh mint and fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley add a bright, peppery, herbaceous flavor that balances out the warmth of the spices. If you can’t find spearmint, feel free to use any other fresh herbs like dill instead. 

Flavor Variations

As mentioned, there are endless ways to make homemade chicken kofta. So, feel free to mix and match different ingredients and combinations to make this recipe your own! 

• Replace the Meat. Use ground turkey, beef, or lamb. 
• Experiment with Seasonings. Mix and match a variety of spices and seasonings. For instance, cumin and ground coriander add a nice kick. Or, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for a bit of spice!
• Use Bread. Swap the pre-made breadcrumbs with a small, end piece (butt) of bread. 
• Add Olive Oil. Just a tiny drizzle can help add a rich flavor and a boost of healthy fats.

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Kofta in Just a Few Simple Steps

Unlike other chicken kofta recipes made in the oven or on the grill, we cook our chicken kofta in the air fryer! As a result, it requires minimal prep time, has a cook time of about 20 minutes, and a total time of under an hour. You’ll be able to get in and out of the kitchen fast!

1. Blend the chicken. Add the chicken to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until you achieve a minced consistency.
2. Combine the ingredients. Add the remaining ingredients, and pulse again until the mixture is well combined but not mushy.
3. Shape the meatball mixture. Use a small ice cream scoop to portion the meat mixture, and roll each scoop between your palms to form round balls. 
4. Air fry. Grease an air fryer basket with cooking oil spray or a little bit of olive oil. Arrange the kofta balls in an even layer in the air fryer. Air fry until the meat cooks all the way through. 

Tips for Success

We paired this quick chicken kofta recipe down to make it nearly failproof. However, we have a few extra tricks to guarantee you always have success! 

• Wet Your Hands. Wet your hands with a bit of water before shaping the meatballs. This will help prevent them from clinging to your fingers and becoming a sticky mess. 
• Use About Two Tablespoons Per Kofta Piece. You’ll want to scoop up about two tablespoons of the raw mixture for every single kofta ball. Make them too small and they’ll burn and dry out. On the other hand, if you make them too large, they won’t cook enough. 
• Space the Kofta Meatballs Out. You want to allow a bit of space between each kofta ball to ensure the air circulates and cooks them on all sides. Work in batches if needed! 
• Use a Meat Thermometer. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of your kofta. Make sure it has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit and is safe to eat. 

Serving Suggestions

Chicken kofta is super versatile — you can serve it in a variety of ways! Some of our favorites are: 

• As Bowls with Persian rice, Egyptian baked rice, Vermicelli rice, couscous, or tabbouleh. Or, with sides of vegetables such as roasted cauliflower or oven roasted Parmesan Brussel sprouts. 
• In Pita Pockets with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, onions, and tahini, hummus, tzatziki, or toum. 
• With Salads such as Egyptian cucumber & tomato salad, balela salad, shirazi salad, fattoush salad, or Greek orzo pasta salad.    
• As part of a spread with dips like tahini sauce and toum and snacks. Moroccan zaalouk, marinated tomatoes and feta dip, a Mediterranean mezze platter, spanakopita triangles, and fried feta rolls are some of our favorite pairings.

How to Store and Reheat

Chicken kofta meatballs are a great meal prep option and stay fresh for days. 

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. 
• Freeze cooked or raw chicken kofta in an airtight container or sealable bag for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight when you’re ready to eat.
• Reheat in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. To do so, arrange your leftovers in a single layer in a greased basket, and warm just until heated through.

Note: Make sure to store any leftover kofta in an airtight container on its own, separate from any sides or sauces!

Common Questions About This Easy Chicken Kofta Recipe

More Middle Eastern-Inspired Recipes

On the search for more mouthwatering Middle Eastern flavors? Try out more of our easy family-friendly recipes below!  

• Middle Eastern Chicken
• Middle Eastern Chicken and Potatoes
• Middle Eastern Crock Pot Beef Stew 
• Easy Shawarma Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

Easy Chicken Kofta Recipe

4.60 from 10 votes

Author: Food Dolls

Servings: 12 servings

Prep: 20 minutes mins

Cook: 20 minutes mins

Total: 40 minutes mins

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Make easy chicken kofta in the air fryer with nine ingredients and forty minutes for a high-protein meal you can enjoy throughout the week!

Ingredients  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
• ▢ 1 fresh mint leaves
• ▢ 1 small bunch flat leaf Italian parsley
• ▢ 2 small shallots
• ▢ 2 garlic cloves
• ▢ 1 large egg
• ▢ ¼ cup dried breadcrumbs
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons shawarma spice See notes below
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt See notes

Instructions 

• Add the chicken breast to the bowl of a food processor. Grind until the chicken is minced.
  1 pound boneless
• Add the fresh mint, parsley, shallots, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, shawarma spice, and salt. Pulse again until the ingredients are well combined.
  1 fresh mint leaves, 1 small bunch flat leaf Italian parsley, 2 small shallots, 2 garlic cloves, 1 large egg, ¼ cup dried breadcrumbs, 2 Tablespoons shawarma spice, 1 teaspoon salt
• Using a small ice cream scoop, shape the meat mixture into small balls (approximately two tablespoons each).
• Preheat an air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and grease the basket with cooking oil spray or a small amount of olive oil.
• Arrange the chicken kofta balls in an even layer in the air fryer, leaving space between each piece. Air fry for 13-15 minutes or until the chicken kofta is fully cooked and has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.

Video

Equipment

1 Food processor

1 Small Ice Cream Scoop

1 Air Fryer

Notes

Note: Feel free to use store-bought shawarma spice, or make your own homemade shawarma spice blend using 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon coriander, 1 Tablespoon ground cumin, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, ½ Tablespoon ground cardamom, 1 teaspoon ground turmeric, 1 teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon allspice, ¼ teaspoon cloves, ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional).

Note: Use less salt if your shawarma spice has salt included.

Oven Option: Combine the ingredients as normal. Then, arrange the kofta on a greased baking sheet, and bake the kofta at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 18-20 minutes or until it is cooked all the way through, flipping it over halfway.

To Freeze: Transfer cooked or raw chicken kofta balls to an airtight container or sealable bag, and freezer for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, and cook as normal. Or, warm them in the air fryer at 350 degrees just until heated through.

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Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 68kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 261mg | Potassium: 197mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 84IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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