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This Harissa Chicken Recipe is slightly sweet, smoky and packed full of flavor. The chicken thighs are cooked in a skillet to create tender, juicy chicken. You can have this dish on your table in less than 30 minutes.
Harissa paste is something I enjoy cooking with and today’s Harissa Chicken Recipe is a great way to use it. I know some people might not know what it is or used it before but it can be a great addition to an easy dinner.
You might be wondering what harissa paste is? Harissa paste is a spicy, smoky and slightly sweet condiment often used in North African cuisine. It is often seen in countries like Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. It is made from a combination of dried red chili peppers, garlic, olive oil, spices, and sometimes additional ingredients like coriander seeds, caraway seeds, and cumin.
The paste has a complex flavor and helps create a spicy chicken. I would describe it as a rich, smoky, and fiery flavor profile with varying levels of heat, depending on the type and amount of chili peppers used. As with many recipes the exact recipe can vary depending on the regional variations of harissa. I love bold flavors which is probably why I love harissa so much. It is a comfort food for me. We eat chicken at least one night of the week so it is nice to keep things interesting and use unique flavors in my recipes.
We often rotate between this Harissa Chicken Recipe, Moroccan Chicken Thighs, Lebanese Chicken Kebabs, Coq Au Vin and this Margarita Grilled Chicken.
Why You Will Love This Harissa Chicken Recipe:
- Full of flavor – This delicious chicken is packed full of smoky and sweet flavors from the Harissa marinade. You will love the combination of flavors.
- Easy to make – An easy dish to make that can be brought together in less than an hour if needed. Ideal for those warm summers day when you want to use the BBQ.
- Simple ingredients – Six simple ingredients bring this recipe to life. If you are looking for an easy chicken recipe using minimal ingredients, this is the dish for you.
- Introduce new flavors – A great way to introduce your family to new and exciting flavors.
Why You Will Love This Harissa Chicken Recipe
If you like bold flavors from the Mediterranean you will love this Harissa Chicken. Here is why we love it:
• Full of Flavor: This delicious chicken is packed full of smoky and sweet flavors from the Harissa marinade. You will love the combination of flavors.
• Easy to Make: An easy dish to make that can be brought together in less than an hour if needed. Ideal for those warm summers day when you want to use the BBQ.
• Introduce New Flavors: A great way to introduce your family to new and exciting flavors.
Recipe Ingredients
These simple pantry staples are all you need. See the recipe card below for exact amounts and printable instructions.
- Chicken Thighs: I used chicken thighs in this recipe because I think they are the most tender, juiciest option but you can use any cut of chicken you like. Chicken breasts work great but you will have to cook them longer. You also could use chicken tenderloins.
- Harissa Paste: I used a store-bought harissa paste for this recipe. If you want to make a homemade version that would work also.
- Lemon: The lemon helps balance the flavors in this dish.
- Honey: You will love the sweetness that honey adds to the sauce. I think the honey really balances all of the flavors.
Recipe Variations
- You can use store-bought Harissa Paste. Or make your own homemade harissa using this harissa sauce recipe here.
- This harissa marinade will work with other meats like steak or even just vegetables that you grill, roast, or BBQ.
- You can add this marinade to a whole chicken, skinless chicken thighs, chicken breasts, chicken tenderloins or wings. Just make sure to adjust the cook time depending on the cut of chicken.
- Instead of lemon juice you could substitute it with lime juice instead. If you want extra citrus flavor add lemon zest or lime zest.
- Fresh herbs would be nice to add to the marinade. Try adding chopped parsley or cilantro.
How to Make This Healthy Harissa Chicken
Now that you have all your ingredients, it is time to make the simple and tasty harissa grilled chicken.
Step 1. Make the Marinade: In a large bowl mix the harissa chile paste, lemon, honey, garlic, salt and pepper.
Marinade chicken thighs in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Step 2. Sear the Chicken: Heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil on medium-high heat in a non-stick skillet. Sear the chicken skin down in the skillet for 6 minutes.
Step 3. Finish Cooking the Chicken: Flip the chicken and cook for another 6 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F on a meat thermometer. Remove the chicken from the heat.
Step 4. Serve with Garnishes and Rice: Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro and serve with brown rice or cauliflower rice.
Storage Tips
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Recipe FAQ
Marinade the chicken for at least 30 minutes. However, the longer you can leave it the better as the flavors really intensify. Since there is lemon juice in the marinade make sure you don’t marinade for longer than 2 hours or the citrus will break down the chicken.
Harissa paste is a spicy and aromatic condiment originating from North Africa, particularly Tunisia. It is a versatile blend of chili peppers, garlic, olive oil, and a mix of spices such as cumin, coriander, and caraway seeds. The paste often has a smoky, slightly tangy, and deeply flavorful profile.
Harissa is often found in the Middle Eastern or Mediterranean section of grocery stores. I also have seen it at Whole Foods and trader joe. If you have a local Middle Eastern market or store near you that will also carry it.
More Chicken Recipes
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Harissa Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup harissa paste
- Juice of a lemon
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 chicken thighs, boneless, skin on (medium size thighs)
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl mix the harissa paste, lemon, honey, garlic, salt and pepper. Marinade chicken thighs in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- Heat the olive oil on medium-high heat in a non-stick skillet. Sear the chicken skin down in the skillet for 6 minutes.
- Flip the chicken and cook for another 6 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Remove the chicken from the heat.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro and serve with rice.
Notes
- Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
