What is Harissa Made of Chicken?
Harissa Chicken is a bold, smoky, and spicy dish infused with the rich flavors of North African Harissa paste. This recipe brings together tender, juicy chicken with aromatic spices, garlic, and lemon for an irresistible meal. Perfect for grilling, baking, or pan-searing, it’s a quick and easy dish that pairs well with rice, potatoes, or fresh salad.
- Author: hillary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilled, Baked, or Pan-Seared
- Cuisine: North African
- 4 chicken thighs (or breasts)
- 2 tablespoons Harissa paste
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional, for balance)
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, mix Harissa paste, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and honey.
- Marinate the Chicken: Coat the chicken evenly with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour (overnight is best for deeper flavor).
- Choose Your Cooking Method:
- Grill: Preheat to medium-high heat and cook for 6-7 minutes per side until nicely charred.
- Oven: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes until golden and fully cooked.
- Pan-Sear: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until crispy and cooked through.
- Serve & Enjoy: Garnish with fresh herbs and serve with rice, roasted veggies, or warm pita bread.
Notes
Adjust the spice level by adding more or less Harissa paste.
For extra juiciness, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Harissa Chicken, Spicy Chicken Recipe, North African Chicken, Easy Chicken Recipe, Grilled Chicken, Moroccan Chicken