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Harissa Chicken is tender and juicy, coated in a spicy, tangy sauce that will leave your mouth watering. This simple yet delicious North African dish is the perfect recipe to add to this week’s dinner lineup!
If you’ve never tried North African cuisine before, this is your sign! It’s packed with so many amazing flavors! This Moroccan Chicken and Shakshuka are two other recipes that are my favorites.
Harissa Chicken Recipe
Chicken Harissa is an amazing dish made from chicken breast or thighs mixed with spices like salt, pepper, coriander, paprika, cumin, and a touch of cayenne for an added kick of spiciness. But the real star is the harissa – a North African magic sauce made with roasted red peppers, cayenne peppers, garlic, olive oil and a few delicious spices. You can find it at places like Trader Joe’s, but it’s also super easy to make at home.
This delicious combination of flavor and heat is what makes Harissa Chicken a hit! It originated in North Africa, specifically Tunisia and Morocco, and harissa has been adding flavor to their dishes for many years. Boom when they slather this delicious paste on chicken and toss it on the grill! Chicken Harissa was born – tender, juicy and absolutely delicious. Whether you serve it with couscous or in pita bread, this dish will have your taste buds thanking you. It’s as delicious as it comes.
ingredients you need
Get ready to crack your spice rack because Chicken Harissa uses a LOT of spices! (That’s why it’s so good, though!) The exact measurements are all in the recipe card below.
- chicken breast (boneless and skinless): We’re talking juicy chicken breasts with no bones and no skin — which helps accentuate the flavor. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer.
- Salt: A little bit enhances all flavors!
- black pepper powder: Adds a little flavor and depth to the flavors of the chicken.
- coriander: Gives chicken citrus flavor and subtle sweetness.
- chili: For some smoky, warm taste. Both regular and smoked paprika work!
- Cumin: Cumin is earthy and warm and pairs well with other flavors.
- red onion (chopped): Adds sweetness and texture!
- garlic, minced): Want some bold, savory flavors! If you don’t have fresh garlic on hand, you can also use garlic powder, but it will change the flavor slightly.
- Harissa: The best of North African flavors – a fiery red blend of roasted red peppers, cayenne peppers, garlic and olive oil. This is the spicy heart of this dish!
- fresh lemon juice: Rich and tangy, lemon juice breaks up the richness and brings some freshness to the mix.
- olive oil: the glue that holds everything together! Not only does the olive oil add richness to the sauce, it also helps coat the harissa chicken perfectly.
How to Make Harissa Chicken
Fire up the grill and stir the sauce, because you’re about to enjoy the best meal ever! Chicken Harissa has quickly become one of my favorite dishes and the sauce is truly delicious!
- To preheat the grill: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, about 400-450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Dry Chicken: Pat chicken dry and place in a large bowl.
- Ready to rub: In a small bowl combine salt, pepper, coriander, paprika, cumin, and cayenne. Then mix and rub all over the chicken breasts.
- Harissa Mix: In another bowl add garlic, onion, harissa, lemon juice, and olive oil. Pour this mixture over the seasoned chicken and rub to coat each chicken well in the mixture.
- Marinated: Let the chicken marinate for about 30 minutes.
- chef: When the chicken is ready, grill 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F/
- rest: Remove the harissa chicken from the grill and let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
Save time by baking
If you want to bake the chicken while it’s marinating, preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Prepare a baking sheet and line it with foil. Place prepared chicken harissa on a baking sheet and bake for 16-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
cooking skills
These are some tips for customizing and perfecting this fiery dish, making it a crowd-pleaser that leaves everyone craving more. So grab your apron and get ready to turn up the heat in the kitchen!
- Adjust heat: The harissa chicken is just the best, but you can control the heat to suit your taste. Add more or less harissa and chiles to find the perfect spicy dessert.
- pickle for extra flavor: Marinate your chicken in the harissa and spice mix for hours, or even overnight, to let your chicken soak up all the goodness. The longer it is marinated, the tastier it will be.
- try a different cut: While boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the classic, feel free to try other parts, such as thighs or drumsticks. Dark meat is more acceptable and juicy on the grill.
- be creative: Chicken Harissa is amazing with a variety of side dishes. Serve it with rice, quinoa, or a couscous salad.you can even tuck it in pita bread Topped with fresh veggies and a dollop of yogurt, it’s a killer sandwich!
Storing Leftover Chicken Harissa
If you have leftovers of this delicious chicken, be sure to save it! They reheat well and are even tastier the next day!
in the refrigerator: Transfer the Grilled Harissa Chicken to an airtight container or airtight bag and store for up to 4 days. To reheat, roast the chicken in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, or on the stovetop over medium heat until heated through.
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Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, about 400-450 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Pat chicken dry and place in a large bowl.
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In a small bowl combine salt, pepper, coriander, paprika, cumin, and cayenne. Mix and rub over all chicken breasts.
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In another bowl add garlic, onion, harissa, lemon juice, and olive oil. Pour this mixture over the seasoned chicken and rub to coat each chicken well in the mixture.
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Let the chicken marinate for about 30 minutes.
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When the chicken is ready, grill for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit,
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Remove the chicken from the grill and let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
If you want to bake the chicken while it’s marinating, preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Prepare a baking sheet and line it with foil. Place prepared chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 16-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
supply: 4
caloriesChapter 337kcal (17%)carbohydrate4G (1%)protein49G (98%)fat13G (20%)Saturated fat2G (10%)polyunsaturated fat2Gmonounsaturated fat7GTrans fat0.03Gcholesterol145mg (48%)sodium1428mg (60%)Potassium908mg (26%)fiber1G (4%)sugar1G (1%)Vitamin AChapter 326IU (7%)Vitamin C9mg (11%)calcium30mg (3%)iron1mg (6%)
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is an estimate only. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary based on the brand you use, your measurements, and the serving size for each family.