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Super easy and tastes way better homemade! It’s none other than the delicious Chicken veggie patties or Chicken Kafta. Not only is it yummy, but it is also healthy!
Get ready for the flavorful chicken kafta! Put chicken breast or chicken tender, parsley, peppers, onions, and some delicious spices in a food processor. Form them into patties and toss them in the oven. What a divine dish!
It Just Melts in Your Mouth!
What Is Kafta?
Kafta, also known as kofta, is a famous dish in almost every Mediterranean restaurant. It refers to a meatball, usually made of beef, lamb, or chicken, with onions and other spices.
They can be formed similarly to kabobs. They can also be threaded on skewers in the shape of sausages. Some may form them like patties.
Whatever shape you choose, kafta is a delicious meal. You can cook them in a gas grill or a grill pan. You can also keep them on the skewers for a barbecue party.
No matter how you make it, the chicken kafta will come out perfectly. Your friends and family will be dazzled.
What to Love About Chicken Kafta
Chicken kafta is a kid-friendly meal. You will find that I have peppers in this recipe. Since some kids don’t like peppers, you may choose to omit them. I love making this meal for my girls because it’s a tasty way to get in their protein.
Chicken kafta is an amazing twist for lamb or beef kafta. I always look for a new dish for my daily menu. I serve it to my family for lunch or dinner. It is irresistible.
Tender and Juicy Chicken Breast Ready to Be Minced!
Chicken Kafta! Perfect Make-Ahead Meal!
Is your schedule for the coming week full? Why not prepare some chicken patties ahead of time?
Chicken kafta is perfect to be prepared ahead of time. So, form the patties and set them in the pan. Wrap them and set them in the freezer.
If you do not have a wide space in the freezer, align the chicken kafta on a tray. Put them in the refrigerator or freezer till they harden. Then, set the patties in a ziplock and toss them in the freezer
When I want to bake it, I take the pan from the freezer. Then, I set it in the oven. There is no need to wait for the chicken kafta to thaw. You can give it an extra minute in the oven. It comes out perfectly!
Is One of Your Guest Vegan? No Worries!
It happened to me. Our friend had recently started a vegan diet. We always invite him for dinner. Last time, I was planning for my special chicken kofta kababs as a main dish. At the same time, I did not want him to be left out.
Suddenly, I had this wonderful idea! Chicken kofta is all about protein. So, why not use lentils instead? I cooked and drained the lentils. Then, I put it them the food processor with the rest of the ingredients.
I got a texture similar to the ground chicken kofta. Then, I formed them as patties and tossed them in the oven. My guest was delighted!
What Pairs with Chicken Kafta
Chicken kafta is moist and delicious. You can devour several ones just before you set your dinner table. However, some amazing side dishes pair perfectly with these amazing patties.
Garlic paste is the best dip for chicken kafta. It gives each kabob some extra moisture with an additional savory flavor.
You can also dip chicken kofta in hummus. Kafta and hummus pair perfectly together.
You have other delicious dishes you can serve next to chicken kafta. Cook some Cajun Rice or Vermicelli rice to please your family.
Veggies should be a priority for your family. So, you enrich your table with fattoush, Simple Middle Eastern Salad, or Lebanese Tabouli Salad.
One last suggestion is to wrap the chicken kafta in pita bread. But, you have to spread some garlic paste first. You can add any veggies you like to your sandwich. Yummy!
Spiced Up and Perfectly Flavored Chicken Kafta
Steps to Forming the Best Chicken Kafta
Place the chicken kafta mixture for a few minutes in the fridge before shaping them. This makes it easier for you to bind everything together.
Chicken kafta can be a bit sticky. So, set a small bowl of cold water or oil. Wet your hands before you form the kafta. Then, they will not stick to your hands.
Is the chicken kafta mixture too lean? Add a few breadcrumbs to make it a bit firmer. You do not want the patties to fall apart especially if you are forming them using a skewer.
When preparing the ingredients, choose fresh parsley. It will bring out the Kafta flavors. It also adds a great color to your patties.
Frequently Asked Questions
When the outside of the kafta kabobs turns brown, this means they are ready. They also become firm. You can test one by splitting it in half using. The inside should not be lean.
Do not throw away any leftovers of the amazing kafta kabobs. Put them in a container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can freeze them for up to 3 months.
After you take the chicken patties from the refrigerator or freezer, set them in a pan and cover them with aluminum foil. Toss them in a preheated oven for 10-15 minutes.
Having excess water is probably because of the onions. A great idea is to grind the onion first and drain it. Then, grind the chicken. Now, add the drained onion to the ground chicken along with the other ingredients. Do not throw the onion juice. It can be used for salad dressing.
How to Make the Best Chicken Kafta
Ingredients
- Chicken breast or tender
- Salt
- White pepper
- Onions
- Whole pepper
- Parsley
- 7 spices
- Paprika
- Black pepper
- Cayenne pepper
- Citric acid, optional
- Red pepper flakes, optional
Steps to Prep
First, cut the chicken into big chunks. Grind them in the food processor.
Second, cut your veggies medium size to make them easier to grind in the food processor.
Then, add onions, parsley, and peppers. Mix well and pause in between to scrape down the edges.
Add ground chicken to a bowl and add in all the spices. Mix well!
You can test-try a small amount in a pre-oil pan on the stovetop. Add more salt or spices to taste.
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400F.
Now, add a little water or cooking oil to your hands and mold your mix into round patties. You can also place them on a skewer to make them into kabobs.
Bake for 40 minutes flipping halfway through.
Serve and enjoy with your family and dear ones.
Recipes You Should Try:
- BEST Fattoush Salad with Dressing
- Tastiest Homemade Coleslaw Recipe
- Simple Middle Eastern Salad
- Fantastic Kale Dijon Salad
- Mediterranean Salad Pita Wraps
- Lebanese Tabouli Salad
- Easy Chicken Curry with Vegetables
- Quick Spicy Beef (Sujuk) Pizza
- Lebanese Lentils and Rice Recipe
- Lemon Mint Garlic Chicken Stew
Chicken Kafta
Equipment
- food processor
Ingredients
- 2 ½ lbs chicken breast , or tenders
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- 2 onions
- 1 whole pepper, any color
- ½ bunch parsley
- ½ teaspoon 7 spices
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne pepper
- pinch citric acid, optional
- red pepper flakes, for a spicy taste, optional
Instructions
- Cut chicken in big chunks. Grind them in the food processor.
- Cut your veggies in medium size to make them easier to grind in a food processor.
- Add onions, parsley, and peppers. Mix well and pause in between and scrape down edges.
- Add ground chicken to a bowl and add in all the spices. Mix well!
- You can test try a small amount in a pre-oil pan on the stovetop. See how you like the taste to add more salt if needed.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400F.
- Add a little water or cooking oil to your hands and mold your mix into round patties or place on a skewer to make into kabobs.
- Bake for 40 minutes flipping halfway through.
- Serve and enjoy.
