As the smoky aroma wafted through the air, my taste buds danced with delight as I savored the delectable grilled flavors of perfect Chicken Kafta Skewers. Each succulent bite delivers a burst of juicy satisfaction!
Chicken Kafta Skewers are a delicious Middle Eastern dish made with chicken breast mixed with a variety of spices, vegetables, and herbs. The mixture is then shaped into skewers and cooked either in the oven, in a skillet on the stovetop, or outdoors on the grill.
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Ingredients
To make these juicy Chicken Kafta Skewers, you need the following ingredients:
- Chicken: Use boneless chicken breast or ground chicken to make this grilled chicken kafta recipe.
- Bell pepper: Use red or yellow bell pepper for a pleasant crunch, texture, and a touch of sweetness to the chicken mixture.
- Red onion: They add a subtle oniony taste and a hint of crispness to the kafta mixture.
- Roma tomato: Finely chopped tomato adds a juicy and refreshing element to the chicken mixture.
- Garlic cloves: Minced garlic infuses the chicken kafta mixture with its distinct taste. It adds depth and complexity to the flavors of the skewers.
- Parsley: Finely chopped parsley adds an authentic traditional Middle Eastern herbal flavor to the mixture. Use fresh parsley not dried parsley.
- Mild red pepper paste: It adds a rich, mildly spicy flavor to the kafta mixture, enhancing its overall taste and providing a hint of heat.
- Bread crumbs: A must ingredient that contributes to the texture of the kafta skewers, making them more cohesive and easier to shape. They also add a subtle, pleasant crunch when cooked.
- Spices: You need to add the following spices to the chicken kafta mixture: black pepper, sumac, garlic powder, paprika, 7 spice, Aleppo pepper, and turmeric.
- Salt: Add it according to taste.
Scroll for the entire detailed recipe ingredients and instructions.
Oven-Baked Chicken Kafta Skewers
Why Will You Love Chicken Kafta Skewers?
Irresistible Flavors: The combination of grilled exterior and juicy tenderness creates a harmony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.
Easy to make: This recipe is relatively simple and straightforward. With readily available ingredients and clear instructions, you can easily prepare these skewers at home without much hassle.
Versatile and customizable: The recipe allows for customization to suit your preferences. You can adjust the spice levels and add additional herbs or seasonings.
Healthy meal: This recipe does not require added oil or butter, making it a great choice for those looking to enjoy delicious meals while maintaining a balanced diet.
I will also provide you with some delicious grilled meat skewer recipes you might like to make: Tender Grilled Steak Kebabs, Juicy Middle Eastern Kebabs, and Juicy Chicken Kofta Kebabs. Try them and let me know how much you enjoy them in the comments section below!
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Serving Suggestions
The sizzle of the grilling echoed harmoniously with the laughter of my loved ones, creating an atmosphere of pure joy and anticipation, as we gathered around the table to relish the irresistible charm of grilled chicken kafta and its tantalizing texture.
With a flourish, I carefully arranged the beautifully grilled chicken kafta skewers on the platter. Each morsel glistens with tempting grill marks, presenting a feast for the eyes that mirror the mouthwatering flavors waiting to be savored.
Get the unique flavor of grilled chicken kafta by serving it with a light Middle Eastern salad like sumac onion salad, fattoush, Arabic chopped salad (salata Arabiyeh), or tabbouli salad recipe (tabbouleh).
A great companion to these juicy chicken kafta is garlic sauce – Middle Eastern toum, creamy velvety hummus dip, or baba ghanoush (roasted eggplant dip). Dig and enjoy!
Go deep into traditional Mediterranean satisfying serving options and enjoy chicken skewers with a bed of aromatic spiced yellow rice, saffron rice, Persian jeweled rice, etc.
Tips and Tricks
Food Processor: Use a food processor to mince the parsley, garlic, red onion, tomatoes, and bell pepper.
Chill the mixture: After mixing the chicken, vegetables, and seasonings, cover and refrigerate the mixture for at least 2 hours. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld together and enhances the taste of the final baked chicken skewers. It also helps the mixture to firm up, making it easier to shape onto the skewers.
Soak wooden skewers: Make sure to soak the wooden skewers for at least an hour in cold water before loading the chicken onto them so they don’t burn.
Wet your hands: Once you want to add chicken kafta on skewers, moisten your hands with water or oil to avoid the chicken kafta mixture sticking to your hands.
Don’t overcook: To guarantee the tender juicy texture of chicken kafta, you have to not overcook the skewers.
Storage Tips
Making ahead: You can make the kafta mixture a day ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you bake it.
Refrigerator: Store chicken kafta skewers leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 4-5 days.
Reheating: To reheat chicken kafta skewers, place them on a baking sheet and reheat them in the oven for about 5 minutes, or in a microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Freezing: It is better to freeze the chicken kafta’s mixture before baking it. Cover the mixture with plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, let it thaw overnight in the fridge.
Easy Prep, Exquisite Taste
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, you can definitely grill the chicken skewers instead of baking them. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and cook the skewers for approximately 12-15 minutes. Make sure to turn them occasionally until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred. Make sure to oil the grill grates or use aluminum foil to prevent sticking.
If the chicken mixture for your chicken kafta skewers is too moist, gradually add breadcrumbs to the mixture while mixing until you achieve a firmer consistency. Start with small amounts and add more as needed until the desired texture is achieved.
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Must-Try Recipes:
- The Best and Easiest Chili
- Honey Garlic Roasted Carrots
- Chicken Shawarma Quesadillas
- Harissa Garlic Chicken
- Turkish Bulgur Pilaf
- Middle Eastern Restaurant-Style Chicken
- Roasted Eggplant Salad
- Vegetarian Makloubeh
- Middle Eastern Inspired Baked Salmon
- Instant Pot Beef Curry
If you’ve tried this recipe, don’t forget to rate it and leave a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience. You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Chicken Kafta Skewers
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds boneless chicken breast or ground chicken
- ½ red or yellow bell pepper finely chopped
- ½ small red onion finely chopped
- 1 Roma tomato seeds removed, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoons parsley finely chopped
- 3 teaspoons mild red pepper paste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sumac
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon 7 spice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon Aleppo pepper
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- 1½ tablespoons bread crumbs
Instructions
- If you're using chicken breast pieces, add them to a food processor and process until completely ground.
- Add the finely chopped vegetables (or add them to a food processor to make it easier) to the chicken.
- Add the seasonings and the bread crumbs and mix. Cover and refrigerate for 2+ hours.
- In the meantime, if you're using wooden skewers, soak them in cold water.
- Preheat oven to 415℉. Load the chicken onto the skewers, and bake for 15-20 minutes.
Notes
- Food Processor: Use a food processor to mince the parsley, garlic, red onion, tomatoes, and bell pepper.
- Chill the mixture: After mixing the chicken, vegetables, and seasonings, cover and refrigerate the mixture for at least 2 hours. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld together and enhances the taste of the final baked chicken skewers. It also helps the mixture to firm up, making it easier to shape onto the skewers.
- Soak wooden skewers: Make sure to soak the wooden skewers for at least an hour in cold water before loading the chicken onto them so they don’t burn.
- Wet your hands: Once you want to add chicken kafta on skewers, moisten your hands with water or oil to avoid the chicken kafta mixture sticking to your hands.
- Don’t overcook: To guarantee the tender juicy texture of chicken kafta, you have to not overcook the skewers.
These were so incredibly juicy, delicious and easy!! Thank you!
So easy to make and soooo deliciousooo🤌🏾👌🏾🤤
I can not tell enough people how amazing your recipes are. I thank you so much for sharing with the world! I have to tell you how amazing your food photography is (I am a photographer) bless you and your family!
Amazing recipe
Made this yesterday and it was so delicious!! Thank you for sharing the recipe 😍
Amazing recipe that’s both tasty and easy to follow
Easy to follow and delicious 😋 thank you for this amazing recipe!
Delicios, I just made the chicken kofta today all my family loved it, I saved the recipe I’ll definitely make it again. Thank you