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Kakori Kebab Recipe

4.41 from 22 votes
Total: 1 hour 10 minutes
Serves 4 PEOPLE

Soft, mouth-watering, and juicy, this Kakori kebab recipe is everything a food enthusiast will ever ask for. Their silky, smooth, and melt-in-your-mouth texture makes these skewed delicacies simply irresistible and an extraordinary treat to your taste buds.  

These rich in fiber and succulent Kakori kababs are easy to cook and pride to serve – they exude regal finesse at their best!

Kakori Kebab recipe on skewers

Kababs form an integral part of the Mughlai cuisine, and Kakori kababs are one such delicious creation, packed with myriad flavors from spices. You can make these heart-warming savory delicacies ahead of time and grill them or fry them fresh.

When grilled over charcoal, these Kakori kababs give a perfect smoky flavor that will make you drool.

What is Kakori Kebab Recipe

Kakori kababs are famous kababs in India and are a part of the acclaimed Mughlai cuisine.

Kakori’ means ‘softest’ and ‘kababs’ are the meat wrapped on the skewers and cooked over an open charcoal fire. These Kakori kababs are supposed to be the most tender kababs globally!

Origin of Kakori Kebab

It is believed that the origin of these Kakori kababs was from a small town (Kakori village) in Lucknow district of Uttar Pradesh in India.

There was a toothless king (Nawab of Kakori), who was fond of meat dishes. But due to his old age and being toothless, he was unable to eat his favorite meat dishes. So, he ordered his royal chefs to come up with meat dishes that have soft and tender meat.

This mouth-watering recipe of Kakori Kababs is known to have been invented during that time, as a result of several experiments.

Kakori Kebab with green chutney

These kababs are prepared with minced chicken or mutton meat, khoya (mawa), onions, ginger, garlic, and many aromatic and flavorsome spices. Together, these ingredients make an interesting mixture, which is then wrapped around skewers and grilled to a heavenly perfection!

You can grill these kababs in a tandoor or an oven or air-fry them for a healthier preparation. Deep-frying would be great if you like the rich, authentic flavor.

Whichever method you opt, these kababs will impress the gourmet in you!

Reasons You’ll ♡ Kakori Kebab Recipe

These irresistible Kakori Kababs are famous across the globe for their deliciousness. Here’s why they will win your heart —

  • Easy to make
  • Super tender and the softest kababs you ever ate
  • Bursting with myriad flavors that leaves you spell-bound
  • A perfect make-ahead recipe for your home parties, pot-lucks
  • Can be made in a big batch and stored.

The best part, these kababs are kid-friendly and can be packed as a healthy and wholesome meal for their lunch.

Give this lip-smacking recipe a try for your next house party or pot luck, serve them as an appetizer with any spicy chutney and sway your guests off their feet! 

Rest assured, they will be loved at the very first sight…..oh, the very first bite!  

Kakori kebab ingredient list

Kakori Kebab Recipe Ingredient list

Chicken, minced — The base ingredient for this delicious recipe, minced chicken, renders texture and structure to our kababs. Chicken can be substituted with minced mutton for this recipe, though the cooking duration will alter.

Khoya — Khoya / Mawa is added to the kakori kababs as it adds more richness, smoothness, and structure to the kababs.

Papaya paste — A key ingredient used to tenderize the Kakori Kababs. Papaya paste takes the softness of these kababs to another level.

Coconut  — Desiccated coconut brings a delectable nutty flavor and slight crunch to the kababs.

Cream — Fresh cream is added for a smooth texture and richness. It also renders the kababs super soft.

Cashew powder — Adds flavor and richness to the kababs.

Ginger and Garlic Paste — Adds intense flavors and makes the kababs zestier.

Onions — Lend their intense, savory flavor that is hard to miss.

Cilantro leaves — Adds a pleasing fresh flavor to the recipe.

Oil — for deep frying the kababs. Also used for applying on hands while shaping the kababs.

Kakori kebab Spice list

Mint leaves — Fresh mint leaves take the flavor of this recipe a notch up as it adds their unique freshness.

Ground Spices — Green cardamoms, Whole black cardamoms, Cloves, Mace, Black Peppercorns, Poppy seeds, Shahi Jeera – The secret behind the enticing medley of flavors in this recipe is hidden in these Indian spices. They are the reason behind the heavenly deliciousness of these kababs.

Red Chilli Powder — This is added to the kababs for the intended spiciness.

Garam masala powder — Contributes to a plethora of flavors.

White pepper powder — It imparts an earthy flavor to the recipe.

Nutmeg powder — Lends a slightly nutty and woody flavor to the kababs.

Saffron strands — Lends a subtle floral flavor to our kababs.

Salt — for seasoning.

How to make Kakori Kebab Recipe

Prep-up — Preparing the skewers — Soaking the bamboo skewers in water will prevent them from getting burnt while the kababs are being grilled. It is best to soak them for at least 30 minutes or an hour before skewing the meat.

Roast Spices — Now combine whole spices in a heavy-bottomed wide pan. Sauté them for 2-3 minutes over medium heat until lightly brown. Keep stirring frequently to avoid burning the spices. Take the pan off the flame and allow the spices to cool completely. Once cooled, transfer the spices to a blender and blend until powdered. Set aside. 

PROTIP — Dry-roasted spices add a blast of flavors to this recipe.

Grind the spices

Prepare Kakori Kebab mixture — Combine chicken with ginger-garlic paste, papaya paste, onions, coconut, mawa, cilantro – mint leaves, spices, salt, and dry-roasted spices in a large mixing bowl. Mix until all the ingredients are well blended. 

PROTIPPrevent over-mixing — These kababs should have a melt-in-your-mouth texture, and the key to reaching there is not to do certain things! Over-mixing will lead to a stiff chicken mixture, making hard kababs. To prevent this, just mix until all the ingredients have been well combined.

Chill and thread the kakori kebab recipe mix — Chilling the kabab mixture for 30 minutes will assist in the easy threading of kababs on the skewers. Chilling time in the refrigerator will also let the flavors incorporated into the mix and keep the kababs juicy and flavorful.

Dhungar Method — The dhungar method (smoked charcoal) imparts a subtle, smoke-filled flavor into any recipe. But if you’re not into smoky food, you can leave it out altogether.

Grill Kebab — Preheat the oven @375°F. Line the kakori kebab skewers on a baking tray and grill in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until done. Once done, remove from skewers and set aside. 

Serve — For the most ambrosial experience, serve these kababs with chutney of your choice, onion rings, and lemon wedges.

Cooked kebab

Recipe Tips and Variations

These lip-smacking Kakori Kebabs appear to be the easiest ones, but they can become the toughest ones to nail! I am sharing my hacks to make the most tender and juicy kebabs.

For perfect shaping on the skewers — The meat mix should be dry enough to be kept gathered when being shaped. Excess moisture will make the meat fall off the skewers.

Fixing the moisture-laden meat mixture — If the mixture keeps falling off the skewers, it has more moisture than needed. To fix this, you need to add a binder. Breadcrumbs or eggs will be the best option here. Add ¼ cup of breadcrumbs and mix well. Alternatively, you can add whisked egg to the mixture. Now, shape the mix into smooth and well-shaped kababs. Please note that adding breadcrumbs will require adding some more salt to the mixture.

Do not discard chicken fat — It is best to use the chicken with fat for this recipe, as the fat helps keep the kababs juicy and tender.

Green additions — This drool-worthy kakori kebab recipe tastes great on its own. But, if you want some more taste and health to go into it, feel free to add vegetables like chopped spinach, carrots, and grated zucchini to your kebabs.

Kakori kebab recipe with chutney

For healthier kababs — Using lean chicken makes healthier kababs without compromising on the taste. Lean chicken is the one with a relatively lower fat content. Out of all, chicken breasts are the leanest cut of chicken.

Do not overcook — These kababs are known for their juiciness and softness, which should be retained. Overcooking will dry the moisture and leave the kababs dense, dry, chewy, and stringy. It will destroy the delectability of these kababs.

Shape it as you like — Kababs can be shaped according to your choice. Keep them long, cylindrical, or round-shaped; it is entirely your call.

Cooking methods — You can cook these kababs whichever way you want. Grill them in the oven or pan cook to make the kababs that use lesser oil. For an oil-free recipe, you can resort to the air-fryer. If you want the ultimate rich taste, go for deep frying!

Kebab in Kathi roll

Let me know what you think!

Who said kababs are tough to make?

Cook these tender and juicy kababs following the steps below, and in a while, you will be proud to declare you nailed the recipe for ‘‘the world’s softest kababs’’!

Get ready to discover the royal flavors with this sinfully delicious recipe!

Should you make this recipe, please let me know your thoughts by sharing your comment below. And don’t forget to share it with your family and friends.

HUNGRY FOR MORE FAMILY-FAVORITE RECIPES, TRY THESE-

Kakori Kebab recipe

4.41 from 22 votes
Soft, succulent, and juicy, this Kakori kababs are everything a food enthusiast will ever ask for. The silky, smooth, and melt-in-your-mouth texture makes these skewed delicacies simply irresistible and an extraordinary treat to your taste buds.
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Rest: 30 minutes
Total: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4 PEOPLE

INGREDIENTS 

GROUND SPICE – INGREDIENTS

OTHER INGREDIENTS

  • 500 gms Minced Chicken or 1 LB
  • ½ cup Desiccated unsweetend Cococut
  • ¼ cup Mawa powdered form
  • ¼ cup Raw Papaya Paste
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh cream
  • 1 tablespoon Cashew powder
  • 1 tablespoon Ginger paste
  • 1 tablespoon Garlic Paste
  • 1 tablespoon Onion finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Cilantro leaves finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh Mint leaves finely chopped

SPICES

INSTRUCTIONS

PREPARE THE SKEWERS

  • Soak the bamboo skewers for 30 minutes in tap water. Soaking the bamboo skewers in water will prevent them from getting burnt while the kababs are being grilled. It is best to soak them for at least 30 minutes or an hour before skewing the meat.
    Wooden skewers in water

DRY ROAST SPICES

  • Combine whole spices in a heavy-bottomed wide pan. Sauté them for 2-3 minutes over medium heat until lightly brown. Keep stirring frequently to avoid burning the spices.
    Dry roast spices
  • Take the pan off the flame and allow the spices to cool completely. Once cooled, transfer the spices to a blender and blend until powdered.
  • Set aside.
    Grind the spices

ASSEMBLING KEBAB

  • Combine chicken with ginger-garlic paste in a large mixing bowl.
    Add ginger-garlic
  • Add papaya paste, onions, coconut, mawa, cilantro–mint leaves, cream, and cashew powder to the bowl.
    Add coconut and mawa
  • Add salt and spices.
  • Time to add the ground spices ( that were prepared earlier in the recipe) to this mixture.
    Add spices
  • Mix until all the ingredients are well blended. Over-mixing will lead to a stiff chicken mixture, making hard kababs. To prevent this, just mix until all the ingredients have been well combined.
    Mix the kebab
  • Cover and chill the kebabs in the fridge. Chilling time in the refrigerator will also let the flavors incorporated into the mix and keep the kababs juicy and flavorful.
  • Thread the kebabs on the skewers.
    Thread the kebab

GRILL KEBAB

  • Preheat the oven to @375°F. Line the kakori kabab skewers on a baking tray. It's time to add a smoky flavor to our kebabs through the dhungar method.
    Dhungar method
  • Cover the tray and allow the kebab to soak in the smoky flavor for about 3-4 minutes.
  • After the desired time is over, uncover the kebabs and brush them with oil or butter.
    Brush with oil or butter
  • Grill the kebabs in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until done. Once done, remove them from the oven. Sprinkle chaat masala and garnish with cilantro leaves.
    Grill the kebab
  • For the most ambrosial experience, serve these kababs with chutney of your choice, onion rings, and lemon wedges.
    Cooked kebab

VIDEO

RECIPE NOTES

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 
How can I serve the Kakori Kababs?
Kakori Kababs can be relished in a variety of fun ways.
  • Serve it as an appetizer — Serve the Kakori Kababs with the chutneys of your choice and some onion rings on the side as a delicious starter/ appetizer.
  • Convert it into an exciting meal — Wrap the kababs in naan, tortilla, or roti and layer with some spicy and tangy chutneys, onions, and lettuce, and there you are; with the most delicious meal!
  • For a wholesome and satisfying meal — Plate some flavored rice and top it with these kababs. A fabulous meal to remember for sure!
  • For a low-calorie feast — Kakori Kababs served along with a healthy salad make a nourishing and flavorful dinner!
 
Can I store the Kakori Kababs?
Leftover Kakori Kababs can be stored in a refrigerator, in an air-tight container, for about 6 to 7 days. Reheating will bring them back to their freshness.
To reheat, simply warm the Kababs over the cooktop in a non-stick pan or place them in the oven at 325° F until heated through.
 
Are these Kababs freezer-friendly?
Yes, these kababs can freeze well to be used later. You can freeze the raw kabab mixture for a month in an air-tight container or freezer-safe bags. When you need to cook the kababs, first thaw the mix for some time. If it feels soggy, just add breadcrumbs and mix well.
The breadcrumbs will soak the excess moisture, and then you can thread the mixture on the skewers perfectly.
You can also freeze the leftover kakori kababs in an air-tight container for a month. You can broil them in the oven or cook them in an air fryer to reheat. They will become as fresh as just prepared.
 
How to add the smokey flavor to my kebabs?
You can easily achieve a smoky flavor in your kebab recipe. This process of smoking the food is called dhungar in India. To give dhungar to this recipe — 
  • Heat 2 pieces of charcoal briquettes over direct heat until red hot.
  • With the help of tongs, carefully drop the burning charcoal into a steel bowl or Katori.
  • Drizzle two teaspoons of ghee on top of the charcoal.
  • The charcoal will start to emit smoke. Immediately cover the bowl with a glass lid and let the kebabs soak in all that smoky flavors for about 6-8 minutes. After 8 minutes, remove the lid, carefully lift the hot bowl, and set it aside. 
Your smoky tandoor-style kebabs are ready. Grill them in the hot tandoor
 
PROTIP – Do not throw the charcoal into the bin right away. It’s still very hot. Let it cool down completely, then dispose of. 
 
Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided above is approximate. Variations may exist due to the ingredients/brands used. These numbers should be considered estimates, as they are not calculated by a registered dietician.
Author: Ruchi
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Egg-free, Gluten-free

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Comments

  1. Keya says:

    Hello.
    Just happened to see your blog last week, great photos and Amazing food! Tried your kakori kabab recipe and the taste is so fresh in my mouth. Left out the smoky method and carried on with the rest. Bookmarking this for sure, and eagerly await your more chicken recipes!

  2. Mita Singh says:

    Oh, you’re photos are making me drool! This looks so good. I can’t wait to try it! Thanks for sharing!

  3. Saroj says:

    Hi Ruchi,

    Aapki yeh recipe best hai. Meine banayi and sabko bahut pasand aayi, masale bhi extra add nahi dalne pade. Maaza aa gaya, laga market se mangaye hai. My hubby is very happy wants the same kebab everytime.

    Thanks
    Saroj

  4. sunil negi says:

    i love it

  5. hafsha says:

    Amazing

  6. Samina says:

    Hi Ruchi

    Your kebab recipes look so fantastic!!

    I live inn UK, It’s such a shame I cannot find yellow chilli powder, potli masala and khus root anywhere ☹️😔

    • Ruchi says:

      Samina, are you referring to some other recipe because this recipe uses non of the above mentioned ingredients?

      • Samina says:

        So sorry!
        I didn’t realise that I made comment in your kakori instead of kalmi kebab post 😁
        I was too busy drooling over them all tbh.
        I also didn’t clarify that I’d love to find the other two items I mentioned as I’ve seen included in various lucknowi recipes; I’m fascinated by the mughlai lucknowi food and histories.
        Your blog is wonderful reading and viewing. I’ve never left a message before for any blog.
        All the best.

      • Ruchi says:

        No worries Samina! Potli masala is difficult to find. One of my cousins got it from Lucknow. Since it is just 1/4 teaspoon, feel free to leave that out. The other ingredients that you are looking for, can be found at your local Indian store.

        Once again thanks for your lovely feedback. 🙂

  7. Chef Mumtaz shah says:

    Aap Ki recipe she nhe hay kakori kbab Ki

    • Ruchi says:

      Thanks for stopping by Chef Mumtaz! I had learned this recipe of kakori kebab from a chef during my HM training. Some of the ingredients may be a hit and miss. You can welcome to share your way of making the recipe. 🙂

  8. Bhaswati Ghosh says:

    Hi Ruchi, can i use garlic paste instead of powder?

  9. Deepak says:

    Is this chicken kakori generally mutton chunks used in kakori kebab

  10. Pinakpani says:

    Excellent and yummy! Kakori is a heritage. And you teaches so we’ll.

  11. D P Selvam says:

    Hello, can I mix all ingredients in one jar for blend for paste

  12. Anonymous says:

    5 stars
    Thanks for sharing this recipe Ruchi. Kababs were a hit at my party, everyone loved them. Keep up the good work.

  13. Priya says:

    5 stars
    My first time trying kakori Chicken kebab and it was a hit! I followed the directions and used the oven cooking method and the kebabs came out moist and delicious and served this kebab with cucumber salad and steamed cilantro rice. Yummmmm!! Definitely a winner 🙂