This Harissa Chicken Recipe is both simple and delicious! Just marinate chicken breasts in a mix of spicy harissa paste, garlic, honey, olive oil, lime juice, and some exotic spices.
Harissa Chicken is a fantastic option for a quick weeknight dinner or a relaxed Sunday lunch, especially when you're not up for lengthy cooking sessions.
This North African dish brings together a blend of spicy and sweet flavors thanks to the harissa marinade and pairs wonderfully with this amazing Batata Harra (Lebanese Potatoes) recipe.
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Ingredients You'll Need
Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.
- Chicken breast - I typically use one medium-sized boneless chicken breast per person, weighing approximately 150-160 grams. However, chicken thighs are also a great option for this recipe. If you prefer, you can slice the chicken breasts in half to help them cook faster.
- Harissa paste - It is a spicy condiment from North Africa made with a blend of hot chili peppers, garlic, olive oil, and spices like cumin and coriander. I use harissa paste to add heat and smokiness to my dishes. It's perfect for marinating meats, seasoning stews, or even spicing up grilled veggies.
- Garlic - Fresh garlic brings extra sweetness and nuttiness to the marinade. You can easily turn it into a paste using a Mortar and Pestle or grate it using a Microplane Zester Grater.
- Honey - It balances the spiciness of the harissa paste, adding an extra layer of flavor. You can use any good-quality clear, runny honey you have on hand.
- Lime juice - You can also use freshly squeezed lemon juice. It adds some savoriness to the dish and helps tenderize the chicken breast.
- Olive oil - A good quality cooking olive oil is a must for a flavoursome marinade.
- Paprika - It helps add extra color to the marinade. Use sweet or smoked paprika as harissa paste is already hot!
How to Make Harissa Chicken Traybake?
Making this flavoursome Chicken Harissa recipe is very easy and straightforward.
However, to achieve the best results you need to follow a few simple steps:
To make the marinade, mix together the harissa paste, olive oil, lime juice, honey, garlic paste, salt, black pepper, and paprika in a bowl.
Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish, and pour the marinade over them, ensuring each breast is evenly coated.
Marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or preferably for 2-4 hours if you have time. Avoid marinating them for more than 24 hours!
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish, without overcrowding.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until fully cooked, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Let them rest for 5 minutes before serving with your favorite side dishes.
Top tips From the Chef
- Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator, ideally for 2-4 hours if you have time. Avoid marinating for more than 24 hours.
- Feel free to tweak the harissa paste to match your taste. If you like it mild, go easy on the paste. Want more spice? Add a bit extra!
- Make sure to coat each chicken piece evenly with the marinade for the best flavor in every bite.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should read 165°F (74°C) to ensure thorough cooking and safety.
What to Serve with Harissa Chicken?
Harissa chicken goes great with lots of different sides, and my favorite way to enjoy this spicy chicken dish is with Batata Harra - Lebanese Potatoes.
You can also serve with Harissa Chicken with:
Makarna Salatası - Healthy Turkish Pasta Salad
Briam - Greek Roasted Vegetables
Lebanese Rice Pilaf with Vermicelli
Middle Eastern Lavash Bread Recipe
Crispy Breaded Air Fryer Cauliflower Bites
Mango Salad with Avocado and Cucumber
Storage and Reheating Instructions
To store your leftover harissa chicken, let it cool down to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container.
Place the container in the refrigerator, where it will keep for up to 3-4 days.
You can freeze leftover Harissa Chicken for up to 3 months if you want to keep them for longer.
To reheat, place the chicken in an oven-safe dish and cover it with foil to prevent drying. Reheat in a preheated oven to 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
For quick reheating, you can use the microwave.
Place the chicken on a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a microwave-safe cover or damp paper towel. Reheat on medium power in short intervals, stirring in between, to ensure even heating.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for this recipe. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly, as thighs may take slightly longer to cook.
Yes, you can grill the harissa chicken instead of baking it. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and grill the chicken for about 6-8 minutes per side, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Yes, you can marinate the chicken ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to cook. However, it's best to cook the chicken just before serving for the freshest flavor and juiciness.
If you find yourself without harissa paste, don't worry! You can swap it out with other spicy chili pastes or hot sauces. Think about trying Sriracha, Sambal Oelek, or Gochujang instead.
Related Recipes
Looking for other North African recipes? Give these a try:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Harissa Chicken:
Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.
I hope you enjoy the process of making this deliciously Spicy Harissa Chicken Recipe as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂
Bon appétit! / Afiyet olsun!
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Harissa Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoon harissa paste
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 3 cloves garlic (turned into a paste)
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon sweet or smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon chopped coriander (to garnish)
Instructions
- To make the marinade, mix together the harissa paste, olive oil, lime juice, honey, garlic paste, salt, black pepper, and paprika in a bowl.
- Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish, and pour the marinade over them, ensuring each breast is evenly coated.
- Marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or preferably for 2-4 hours if you have time. Avoid marinating them for more than 24 hours!
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish, without overcrowding.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until fully cooked, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Let them rest for 5 minutes before serving with your favorite side dishes.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator, ideally for 2-4 hours if you have time. Avoid marinating for more than 24 hours.
- Feel free to tweak the harissa paste to match your taste. If you like it mild, go easy on the paste. Want more spice? Add a bit extra!
- Make sure to coat each chicken piece evenly with the marinade for the best flavor in every bite.
- Use a to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should read 165°F (74°C) to ensure thorough cooking and safety.
Theresa says
This turkey tenderloin turned out juicy and full of flavor. Easy to make and great for a simple dinner.