Description
Ingredients
For the chicken koobideh (serves 4-6):
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- 2 pounds ground chicken thighs (preferred for moisture and flavor)
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- 1 large yellow onion, grated and excess liquid squeezed out
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- 3 cloves garlic, minced
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- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
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- 2 tablespoons olive oil
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- 1 tablespoon ground sumac (can substitute with 1 tablespoon lemon zest + 1/2 teaspoon black pepper)
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- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
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- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
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- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
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- 1/2 teaspoon ground saffron dissolved in 2 tablespoons hot water (optional but recommended)
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- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
For serving:
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- 6–8 flatbreads (lavash or pita)
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- 1 large tomato, sliced
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- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
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- Fresh herbs (mint, basil, and parsley)
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- Lemon wedges
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- Plain yogurt (Greek or regular)
Instructions
Grate the onion using the fine side of a box grater. This is key for the texture of authentic chicken koobideh. Place the grated onion in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out excess moisture. This prevents your mixture from becoming too wet.
In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, prepared onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, olive oil, and all spices. Using clean hands (yes, get in there!), mix everything thoroughly until well combined. The mixture should feel smooth and slightly sticky.
This is the secret that took me several attempts to discover! Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally 2-3 hours. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and the mixture to firm up, making it easier to shape later.
Traditional chicken koobideh is molded around flat metal skewers, but I’ve found two easier methods that work perfectly in our American kitchens:
Option 1 (Traditional-style): Dampen your hands with cold water. Take about 1/4 cup of the mixture and form it around a metal skewer, pressing to create a flat, sausage-like shape about 5-6 inches long.
Option 2 (Weeknight-friendly): Shape the mixture into oblong patties about 5 inches long, 2 inches wide, and 1/2 inch thick.
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F). If using a gas grill, oil the grates to prevent sticking.
If using skewers: Place them on the grill, being careful not to crowd them. Cook for 4-5 minutes, then very gently flip and cook for another 4 minutes until golden brown with some char marks.
If using patties: Grill for about 5-6 minutes per side until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Allow the cooked chicken koobideh to rest for about 5 minutes. This helps retain the juices and improves the texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 skewers
- Calories: 310
Keywords: Persian chicken kebab, ground chicken skewers, authentic koobideh recipe, middle eastern grilled chicken, sumac chicken recipe