While traditionally kafta is made with lamb I like to think out of the box every now and then and I decided that since Ms. Belleicious doesn’t have lamb or even know where to find lamb for that matter, I am going to make kafta with ground chicken! Not only is the kafta using ground chicken just as good but it is much healthier than with lamb and I was surprised at how much flavor I got from such simple ingredients.
I am not usually on the Lebanese bandwagon. Not that anything is wrong with it at all and my husband LOVES to eat Lebanese, but I just don’t care for lamb and some of the flavors used in the cooking. However, I was all over this dish that night. I think the chicken kafta may have possibly converted me. I am seeing dinner at Ya Ya Mary’s in my future ( 4 Star Lebanese restaurant here in Houston).
I am a sauce kind of girl you might even call me Saucy LOL! because I like to have a sauce for everything. Honestly, I was a bit worried if the chicken would have enough flavor so I decided to make a spicy chili sauce to cover my BUTT in case the kafta didn’t turn out as flavorful as I was anticipating. Boy was I wrong. The kafta was absolutely perfect and the sauce just propelled the dish up a notch. This is such a fun and healthy dish for the family. Kids will love helping you in the kitchen with the kebabs and even better the meat mixture can be prepared for a number of dishes using ground meat or turkey to make meatballs, meatloaf or hamburgers. I hope you all enjoy this dish as much as I did.
A big shout out to everyone who participated in the 2011 Recipe Challenge this month. If you missed seeing everyone’s dishes please click here and you can get your fill of delicious creations. Remember that the next recipe post for the challenge will be the third Wednesday in February so get in the kitchen, start cooking and get your cameras ready!
Oh and the winner of the Belevedere Designs Giveaway is Elizabeth from Staying Home and Staying Sane! Congrats to you! Send me your contact info please to bellecooking@gmail.com and I will get you in touch with Belvedere.
Chicken Kafta with Spicy Chili Dipping Sauce
Ingredients:
1 lb chicken
1/4 cup grated onion
1/4 cup chopped parsley
2 tsp coriander
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp minced garlic in a jar ( this made the flavor really pop since the garlic isn’t being sauteed)
1 tsp salt and pepper each
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 to 1 cup bread crumbs
wooden or metal skewers (if using wooden soak them ahead of time in water)
Directions:
In a large bowl, mix together the ground chicken, onion, parsley, and the rest of the ingredients until evenly blended. Divide into 6 or 8 portions depending on the size you are wanting and press around one end of the skewers to form a log shape approximately 1 inch thick and 6 inches long. Refrigerate for at least an hour before cooking. Preheat your indoor or outdoor grill to 450 or preheat your oven to 450. Cook the skewers for about 5-6 minutes on each side depending on the thickness of your patties.
Spicy And Sweet Chili Sauce (from Paula Deen on Food Network)
1 cup mayo
3 TBSP Thai sweet chili sauce
1 TBSP minced garlic
2 tsp brown sugar
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan. Heat for 5 minutes then transfer to a container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Good Morning Beautiful!!
I have never heard of Kafta! And I like to eat:) But then I am not a fan of lamb so with that said, thanks for the spin off!! It looks delish:)
I hope your weekend is FAB!
XOXO
That sounds fantastic. Healthy and easy, too. Yum!
Just wanted to let you know how obsessed I am with sushi. Just last weekend, I ordered take-out from our local sushi restaurant. I tried shrimp tempura for the first time. OMG…it’s all I can think about. Fried shrimp rolled up with avocado and cucumber. So good!
I’ve been making my own sushi for about a year now. For some reason, mine just doesn’t taste as good as the sushi I have out (no surprise, really). I think I might take a class.
Wouldn’t that be fun?
Have a great weekend!
This looks great and easy!
Looks wonderful!I bet that sauce is so good; something that could be used to dip all kinds of things. Gotta love Paula Deen!
Those sound good I will have to give them a try.
I found several recipes in the current issue of Cooking Light that might just appear next month.
When I saw the name of the recipe, I automatically scratched it off my list b/c it ‘sounded’ hard. You make it SO approachable! It sounds and looks delish, and something I could probably make!
Mmm I love kafta and this is a great healthy alternative. I have to try this one!
Can’t wait to try this! Thanks for sharing. I am not sure I have ever eaten any Lebanese food before!
This looks delicious! Too bad I can’t try it due to the spicy dipping sauce :/
This looks so good! I’ve never eaten any Lebanese food before, but I think I’ll start with this recipe!
Looks great! And I totally love sauces too
Okay – First time to your site and I am in AWE! YOU are amazing and I am a bit green with envy because I try to stay as far away from the kitchen as possible! Love your site and you are one talented Sassy Southern lady!
now that chilli sauce looks really tempting- Guess I can make this dish with potatoes instead of chicken…
I wish I could have you in my kitchen at night when I’m trying to figure out what I’m going to make for dinner! HAHA
You *are a saucy gal! That’s why I love ya;).
I have ground chicken, and I am tooooootally making these (said with a CA valley girl’s voice)… maybe tonight! I’ll let ya know. This or the coffee crusted chicken, which I still need to make too:).
Do you think Hoisin sauce would work?
can you come over and make me this for lunch please? thanks! =)