Chicken Kofta with Tzatziki and Lemon Dill Rice

Recipe adapted from Maxi’s Kitchen.

Ingredients:

Chicken Kofta:

• 1 lb. ground chicken
• 1/2 c. onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 c. parsley, finely chopped
• 2 TBSP mint, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 egg
• 1 TBSP ground coriander
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• Pinch of ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 TBSP avocado oil

Tzatziki Sauce:

• 1 mini cucumber, shredded and water squeezed out
• 1 c. 2% Greek plain yogurt
• 1 small garlic clove, grated
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 1 1/2 tsp. olive oil
• 1/4 tsp. salt

Lemon Dill Rice:

• 1 c. long grain rice, rinsed
• 1 3/4 c. chicken broth
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 2 TBSP fresh dill, chopped
• 2 TBSP butter

Greek Salad:

• 1 mini cucumber, sliced
• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Red pepper, chunks
• Red onion, thinly sliced
• Feta
• Salt, to taste
• Oregano, to taste
• Olive oil, to taste
• Red wine vinegar, to taste

Directions:

1. Chicken Kofta: Preheat oven to 425F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients, and mix to combine. Add a spoonful of the meat mixture to the baking sheet shaping into a meatball or an oval; then spray the kofta with olive oil or avocado oil. Bake for 25 minutes.
2. Tzatziki: Place the shredded cucumber in a towel and squeeze the liquid out; then in a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to eat.
3. Rice: Rinse and drain the rice. Transfer to a medium pot and add the chicken stock and garlic. Cover and bring to boil and then reduce heat to a simmer for 18-20 minutes. Remove pot from heat and let rest covered for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, stir in lemon zest, dill, and butter. Taste and add salt, if needed.
4. Salad: In a serving bowl layer the cucumbers, then cherry tomatoes, then red pepper, then red onion; and then feta. Sprinkle with salt and oregano. Top with a drizzle of olive oil and red wine vinegar.
5. Assemble: Add a scoop of rice to the plate, top with kofta and add the tzatziki sauce and Greek Salad.