Chicken Kofta Curry

Chicken Kofta Curry

Chicken Kofta Curry

Kofta curry makes me feel good inside. This Pakistani comfort food is very versatile; being able to use chicken, lamb, or beef for the meatballs. Traditionally, the meatballs are fried. I wanted to make this a little healthier, so I baked them instead. Still just as good. The meatballs are then simmered in a curry sauce of onions, garlic, yogurt and spices; then served with basmati rice and parathas. The kofta curry is garnished with poppy seeds.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Pakistani
Keyword: Chicken, main course, Pakistani, South Asian
Servings: 4
Author: Alex Gorgos

Equipment

  • Spice grinder
  • food processor

Ingredients

Chicken Meatballs

  • 2 lbs ground chicken thigh
  • 2 tbsp poppy seeds
  • 1 1/2 tbsp cumin seeds
  • 1 1/2 tbsp coriander seeds
  • 1 small cinnamon stick
  • 1 black cardamom
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp Kashmiri chili powder
  • 1/2 cup chickpea flour

Curry

  • 1 medium onion
  • 12 garlic cloves
  • 1/4 cup oil
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
  • 3 tsp Kashmiri chili powder
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric
  • 1 black cardamom ground in spice grinder
  • 1 small cinnamon stick ground in spice grinder
  • 3 cups water

Garnish

  • poppy seeds

Instructions

  • Add all of the meatball whole spices in a spice grinder.
    Pakistani, main course, chicken
  • Grind into a powder.
    Pakistani, main course, chicken
  • Mix all of the meatball ingredients together.
    Pakistani, main course, chicken
  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Wet your hands. Roll the mix into 24 meatballs.
    Pakistani, main course, chicken
  • Bake the meatballs for 15 minutes. Set aside.
    Pakistani, main course, chicken
  • Heat up the cooking oil in a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Sauté for 10 minutes.
    Pakistani, main course, chicken
  • Transfer the sautéed onions and garlic to a food processor and process until smooth.
    Pakistani, main course, chicken
  • Return the purée to the sauté pan with the yogurt.
    Pakistani, main course, chicken
  • Add all of the spice to the sauté pan. Sauté for 5 minutes.
    Pakistani, main course, chicken
  • Pour in 3 cups of water. Bring to a simmer.
    Pakistani, main course, chicken
  • Add in the meatballs. Cover. Reduce the heat to medium low.
    Pakistani, main course, chicken
  • Simmer for 30 minutes.
    Pakistani, main course, chicken
Pakistani, main course, chicken
Serve the kofta curry with basmati rice. Garnish with poppy seeds.