Grilled Harissa Chicken Drumsticks

User Reviews

5

45 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    5 mins

  • Cook Time

    40 mins

  • Total Time

    45 mins

  • Servings

    4

  • Calories

    294 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    North African

Grilled Harissa Chicken Drumsticks

Grilled Harissa Chicken Drumsticks highlight the spicy aroma of harissa paste combined with honey and fresh lemon juice. The chicken is seasoned simply with salt and pepper, then grilled slowly over indirect heat to achieve juicy, tender meat with a flavorful caramelized harissa glaze. Fresh chopped mint adds a bright herbal finish, making these drumsticks suitable for barbecues and casual dinners.

Description

Grilled Harissa Chicken Drumsticks use bone-in drumsticks seasoned with salt and pepper, then cooked over medium grill heat with the lid closed. The harissa paste is mixed with lemon juice and honey to create a tangy, mildly sweet, and spicy sauce that is applied during the final stage of grilling over indirect heat. This technique ensures the chicken cooks through without burning the glaze, resulting in tender meat with a well-developed crust. The sprinkling of fresh mint leaves introduces a refreshing contrast to the bold harissa flavors. Serve with accompanying lemon wedges for added brightness.

The grilling method involves starting with direct heat to crisp the skin and then moving to indirect heat for finishing. Turning often encourages even cooking and prevents charring. The drumsticks should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F before saucing and raised to 175-180°F for safety and tenderness. This recipe adapts well to bone-in chicken thighs as a substitute.

Serving these drumsticks is straightforward; the spicy and aromatic profile complements simple sides such as grilled vegetables, grains, or salads. The lemon wedges included allow diners to adjust acidity individually, enhancing the overall flavor balance.

For smaller grills without indirect heat zones, finishing on the lowest heat setting is recommended to prevent burning the glaze. This approach retains the harissa's complex flavor while ensuring thorough cooking.

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 8 chicken drumstick
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • ¼ cup harissa paste
  • 3 tablespoon lemon juice 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon mint chopped, leaves

Instructions

  1. Heat half of the grill to 350° Oil the grate liberally
  2. Pat drumsticks dry with paper towels and season them with salt & pepper
  3. Grill the chicken with the grill lid closed, for 30 minutes, turning often, until the internal temperature is 165°
  4. Whisk together the harissa paste, lemon juice and honey in a small bowl
  5. Move the chicken over to the unheated half of the grill and slather the harissa sauce all over it.
  6. Close the lid and cook the chicken a further 10 minutes on indirect heat. Internal temperature should be 175 - 180°
  7. Remove chicken from the grill and garnish with mint
  8. Serve with lemon wedges

Notes

  • Bone-in chicken thighs with skin can replace drumsticks if preferred.
  • If your grill lacks indirect heat space, finish cooking over the lowest heat setting to avoid burning the glaze.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1g Calories 294kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 15g (5%) Protein 27g (54%) Fat 14g (22%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Cholesterol 139mg (46%) Sodium 162mg (7%) Potassium 412mg (9%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 10g (20%) Vitamin A 157IU (3%) Vitamin C 7mg (8%) Calcium 22mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 294 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1g
Calories 294kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 15g 5%
Protein 27g 54%
Fat 14g 22%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 139mg 46%
Sodium 162mg 7%
Potassium 412mg 9%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 10g 20%
Vitamin A 157IU 3%
Vitamin C 7mg 8%
Calcium 22mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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Overall Rating

5

45 reviews
Excellent

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