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Harissa Honey Chicken Recipe

Harissa honey chicken makes a delicious savory, spicy and sweet weeknight meal inspired by CAVA’s harissa chicken. It’s a quick and easy chicken dinner that comes together with only 6 basic ingredients.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Marinating Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 404 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mediterranean

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • ½ cup harissa homemade or storebought
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil *please see note
  • 5 cloves garlic finely minced or grated
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • ¼ cup honey

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season them with salt and pepper on both sides. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the harissa sauce, garlic, lemon juice, and honey until fully combined.
  3. Add the chicken thighs and toss to coat them fully with the sauce. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  4. Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F/204 degrees Celsius. Line the sheet pan with parchment paper.
  5. Arrange the chicken thighs on the baking sheet. Brush any leftover sauce on top of the chicken thighs.
  6. Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken thigh, when a probe is inserted into the thickest part, reaches 165 degrees F.
  7. Cover with foil and let it rest for 10 minutes. Drizzle the remaining liquid on the baking sheet over the chicken before serving.

Notes

  • Depending on the size of your chicken, this recipe makes 5-6 harissa chicken thighs ideal for serving 4-6 people. I listed the serving as 4, but the portions would be large. The nutritional values below are per serving (of 4 servings)
  • If you are making your own harissa you will not need this, but if you are buying it from the store, I recommend adding 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil into the harissa chicken marinade. The storebought harissa tends to be thicker (with a paste-like texture) and could benefit from a small amount oil.
  • While we thought that a 30-minute marinating time was necessary, you can marinade your chicken for upto 8 hours if you prefer to make it ahead of time.
  • The sauce on the side of my harissa honey chicken in pictures is a bowl of
  • tzatziki
  • .
  • While we love the hands-off cooking method of roasting the chicken in the oven, you can cook it on the stovetop or a grill. 
  • , preheat a cast iron skillet or large skillet over medium-high heat until it is very hot. Lightly grease with oil and cook the chicken in a single layer for 4-5 minutes per side. 
  • , preheat the grill to 400 degrees F. Grease the grates and cook for 5-6 minutes per side. The spicy honey harissa chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken.
  • Yields: Depending on the size of your chicken, this recipe makes 5-6 harissa chicken thighs ideal for serving 4-6 people. I listed the serving as 4, but the portions would be large. The nutritional values below are per serving (of 4 servings)
  • Olive oil: If you are making your own harissa you will not need this, but if you are buying it from the store, I recommend adding 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil into the harissa chicken marinade. The storebought harissa tends to be thicker (with a paste-like texture) and could benefit from a small amount oil.
  • Marinading time: While we thought that a 30-minute marinating time was necessary, you can marinade your chicken for upto 8 hours if you prefer to make it ahead of time.
  • Tzatziki sauce: The sauce on the side of my harissa honey chicken in pictures is a bowl of tzatziki.

  • Alternative cooking methods: While we love the hands-off cooking method of roasting the chicken in the oven, you can cook it on the stovetop or a grill. 

    If cooking on the stovetop, preheat a cast iron skillet or large skillet over medium-high heat until it is very hot. Lightly grease with oil and cook the chicken in a single layer for 4-5 minutes per side.  If you want to cook the chicken on an outdoor grill, preheat the grill to 400 degrees F. Grease the grates and cook for 5-6 minutes per side. The spicy honey harissa chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken.

  • If cooking on the stovetop, preheat a cast iron skillet or large skillet over medium-high heat until it is very hot. Lightly grease with oil and cook the chicken in a single layer for 4-5 minutes per side. 
  • If you want to cook the chicken on an outdoor grill, preheat the grill to 400 degrees F. Grease the grates and cook for 5-6 minutes per side. The spicy honey harissa chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken.

Nutrition Information

Calories 404kcal (20%) Carbohydrates 26g (9%) Protein 45g (90%) Fat 13g (20%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Monounsaturated Fat 6g Trans Fat 0.04g Cholesterol 215mg (72%) Sodium 1242mg (52%) Potassium 716mg (20%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 22g (44%) Vitamin A 287IU (6%) Vitamin C 10mg (11%) Calcium 36mg (4%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 404

% Daily Value*

Calories 404kcal 20%
Carbohydrates 26g 9%
Protein 45g 90%
Fat 13g 20%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Monounsaturated Fat 6g 30%
Trans Fat 0.04g 2%
Cholesterol 215mg 72%
Sodium 1242mg 52%
Potassium 716mg 15%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 22g 44%
Vitamin A 287IU 6%
Vitamin C 10mg 11%
Calcium 36mg 4%
Iron 2mg 11%

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