Easy Air Fryer Chicken Kofta | Keto Ground Chicken Kebabs
Air fryer chicken kofta is an incredibly easy and flavourful recipe for when you need a healthy meal, snack, or appetizer, on the table in under 30 minutes.
A keto-friendly air fryer recipe made with ground chicken seasoned Middle Eastern herbs and spices. This simple kebab recipe uses no carby fillers or binders, and is gluten free. Chicken kofta is a healthy high protein low carb recipe you can whip up in no time with simple ingredients.
Just 1.8g of net carbs and a whopping 14.7g of lean protein in each keto chicken kofta.
This recipe pairs well with Golden Turmeric Cauliflower Rice or Dill Pickle Slaw.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost or effort to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.
Kofta kebab is one of our favourite keto friendly take out meals, and now thanks to this super simple air fryer kebab recipe you can make ground chicken kofta at home in no time!
Why You'll Love this Air Fryer Kofta
- This recipe is quick and simple, ready in under 30 minutes.Â
- A low carb high protein Middle Eastern recipe with tons of flavour.Â
- The air fryer gives each kebab a golden brown crust while the center stays soft, tender, and moist.Â
- Keto kofta kebab is great for lunch, dinner, or served as a fun party appetizer.Â
- Freezer friendly, this recipe can be frozen for a quick thaw-and-cook air fryer keto meal.
What is Chicken Kofta?
Kofta is a form of kebab found in Middle eastern cuisine. Similar to an Indian Seekh kebab kofta is made from ground meat, formed into an oblong meatball shape, seasoned with authentic Middle Eastern spices and aromatics.Â
Kofta is often served with a creamy sauce like raita, tzatziki, hummus, or tahini, stuffed inside a flatbread like pita or naan with pickled vegetables and lettuce. Kofta can also be served over rice or cauliflower rice as a simple low carb meal.
What is in Keto Kofta Kebab?
While kofta can be made out of any ground meat you prefer, this keto kofta recipe is made with ground chicken and simple spices. Traditional kofta contains binding agents like beson (chickpea flour), lentils, or milk soaked bread. However, this keto kofta does away with starchy binders and instead uses coconut flour.
Below is a quick run down of the ingredients as well as possible substitutions for some of them.
- Ground chicken – turkey, veal, beef, lamb, or goat can also be used.
- Finely grated onion – use a cheese grater or mince very fine with a food processor.
- Minced garlic pasteÂ
- Green chilies or jalapeno – adjust depending on your spice tolerance, for no spice use a quarter of a green pepper.
- Coconut flour – this combined with the egg is the low carb binder for this kofta kebab.
- Paprika – or cayenne powder for a spicier kebab.
- CorianderÂ
- Cumin
- Black pepper
- Salt
- Fresh cilantro – if you are on of those weird people who doesn’t like cilantro then use parsley instead.
Kofta Kebab Variations To Try
There are nearly endless different recipes for kebab and kofta out there. Every family, and region in the middle east will have their own version. If you have ever been to a Middle Eastern restaurant there are probably 2-3 different kofta on the menu.Â
Try Different Ground Meats – This keto recipe is made with ground chicken, however ground beef, lamb, turkey, or goat can all be used in place of chicken in this recipe.Â
Citrus Kofta – Adding citrus zest to the ground chicken mixture before forming the kebabs adds incredible flavour. Orange or lemon zest both pair perfectly with ground chicken.Â
Spicy Kofta – The heat level of this recipe can be easily adjusted to your tolerance. Green chilies are generally quite spicy, so opt for jalapeno, serrano, or poblano for a mild kofta. For zero spice use ¼ of a green bell pepper.
Don’t Forget the Sauce! –Â Â Kebab needs a sauce in my opinion. I am always a fan of a simple yogurt raita which can be just plain yogurt, garam masala, and lemon juice, but you can also add a whole variety of different spices, herbs, grated cucumber, hot peppers, etc. to make it unique. Kofta kebab also pairs with spicy achar, sriracha, chili crisp, or even hot sauce.
Make it a Wrap – Have you ever had a kebab roll? You should. Similar to a shawarma wrap, you can fill your favourite flatbread (low carb or otherwise) with air fryer kofta, lettuce, pickled turnips, onions, hot peppers, sauce, etc. and it becomes a handheld meal to go.
Kebab salad bowls – Fill a bowl with your favourite salad ingredients, lettuce, cucumbers, peppers, onions, etc. Add some sauce and top with chicken kofta for a healthy salad bowl you can enjoy as a packed lunch or filling supper.Â
Quick tip: removing the seeds and white placenta from any hot pepper will drastically reduce the heat level of it.
Kofta Kebab Cooking Methods
Although this is intended as an air fryer recipe, there are multiple ways to cook a kofta or ground chicken kebab at home such as the oven, grill, or stovetop in a pan.Â
Can I cook this kofta kebab in the oven?
To make oven baked kofta,Â
- Place kofta on a lightly oiled baking sheet
- Bake in a 375°F [190°C] oven for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
Can I cook keto chicken kofta on the grill?
To make grilled/BBQ kofta,
- Heat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Brush each kebab lightly with oil on all sides
- Grill for 2-3 minutes per side until cooked through.
Can I cook kofta on in a skillet or frying pan?
To make pan fried kebab,
- Add some oil/butter/ghee to a large frying pan or skillet over medium heat.
- Once hot, carefully lay each formed kofta into the pan, leaving space in between to avoid overcrowding (cook in batches if necessary).
- Cook on all sides for 2-3 minutes until golden brown cooked through
What to Serve With Air fryer Chicken Kofta
There are many delicious ways to serve chicken kofta as a part of a high protein low carb meal.
- Pair with a light refreshing salad or coleslaw to make a salad bowl
- Pair with your favourite cauliflower rice recipe like my cauliflower bhaji, golden turmeric cauliflower rice, or easy keto pulao.Â
- Make a kebab roll. Stuff this kofta into your favourite low carb wrap such as a Josephs Lavash Bread, Pita Bread, or my Homemade Keto Tortilla recipe, to make a homemade low carb kebab roll.Â
- Kofta can also be served as a starter or appetizer with homemade yogurt raita dip for parties, potlucks, and BBQs.
Try some of these keto recipe with this kebab
Leftovers, Reheating and Freezing Instructions
Storing Leftover Kofta
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in a hot oven, air fryer, hot pan, or grill until warmed through.Â
Kofta Freezing Instructions
This air fryer recipe is freezer friendly!
To freeze uncooked kofta – Uncooked chicken kofta can be frozen and stored for up to 3 months and thawed for a quick dinner or appetizer when needed. Space uncooked kofta evenly on a parchment lined baking sheet. Freeze uncovered for 2-3 hours until firm and transfer to a resealable freezer bag. Freeze until needed.Â
To freeze cooked kofta – Let the kofta cool completely to room temperature. Place in a resealable freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months until needed.Â
Thaw in the fridge for several hours before cooking or reheating.
Quick Tips for Making Kofta
- Chill the chicken mixture before forming. Forming the kebabs while the ground chicken is cold will help them hold together.
- Wet your hands with some water to keep the mixture from sticking to them while forming.
- If you aren’t cooking right away place the formed kebabs in the fridge until ready to cook.
- Adjust the amount of coconut flour used if the kebab won’t hold together.
- Cooking time may vary depending on which air fryer you have. Either cut a piece open or use a meat thermometer to make sure they are cooked through.
- Freeze uncooked kebab for a quick thaw and cook keto meal.
Recipe Card
Air Fryer Chicken Kofta and Yogurt Raita (Low Carb)
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Equipment
- Knife and Cutting Board
- air fryer
- meat thermometer optional
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 small onion grated or minced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 large jalapeno or 2 green chilies finely chopped, see notes
- 2 tablespoons Coconut flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1 large egg beaten
- ¼ cup cilantro finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- lemon or lime wedges for garnish
Homemade Yogurt Raita
- 1 cup plain yogurt full fat
- 1½ teaspoons garam masala
- ½ teaspoon dill dried
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne optional
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
Instructions
- Combine kebab ingredients. Add the ground chicken, grated onion, minced garlic, jalapeno or green chilies, coconut flour, paprika, coriander, salt, black pepper, cumin, beaten egg, and chopped cilantro to a large bowl. Use your hands or a wooden spoon to mix until everything it is combined well.1 lb ground chicken, 1 small onion, 3 cloves garlic, 1 large jalapeno or 2 green chilies, 2 tablespoons Coconut flour, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon coriander, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1 large egg, ¼ cup cilantro
- Form the kofta. Grab a handful of the chicken mixture and form into an oval meatball like shape. Pack lightly so everything holds together. If the mixture is too loose add extra coconut flour. There is no wrong shape for a kofta, you can even make patties, or form them around the handle of a wooden spoon like traditional Seekh kebab. You should end up with about 8 large kofta.
- Air fry until cooked through. Lightly brush each of the kofta with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt. Place in the basket of your air fryer. Cook at 375℉ [190℃] for 18-20 minutes until the kebab has turned a beautiful golden brown on the outside, but is soft and cooked through in the center. To test use a meat thermometer or break on open. The internal temperature should be at least 165℉ [75℃] and the colour should be an even white all the way through with no pink.3 tablespoons olive oil
- Make the raita and serve. In a small bowl combine the plain yogurt, garam masala, lime juice, and cayenne pepper. Squeeze fresh lime or lemon juice over the cooked kofta and serve.1 cup plain yogurt, 1½ teaspoons garam masala, ½ teaspoon dill, ¼ teaspoon cayenne, 2 tablespoons lime juice, lemon or lime wedges
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is calculated using the recipe calculator and verified database available from Cronometer. Although every reasonable effort is made to provide accurate information this estimate is provided as courteously and convenience only. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe.
Try the free recipe calculator at Cronometer
Enjoy!
Easy to make and delicious recipe! Thank you!