Indulge in the delightful combination of sweet and spicy chicken thighs marinated in harissa paste, seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices.
Looking for a protein-packed meal that is perfect for meal prep during the week? Try this honey harissa chicken! You can serve it on a salad, rice bowl, or even a gyro. The possibilities are endless.
Inspired by my favorite dish at CAVA, this recipe is sure to satisfy your craving for Mediterranean cuisine. As a CAVA customer, I can attest to their delicious customizable bowls, gyros, and salads with a variety of sauces, spreads, and dressings. Now, you can recreate this flavor-packed meal at home and enjoy it anytime you want.
Ingredients for the Honey Harissa Chicken
- Chicken: I prefer chicken thighs but use what you have on hand. chicken breast or tenderloins will work.
- Olive Oil: helps the seasonings stick to the chicken.
- Honey: this compliments the spiciness from the harissa.
- Harissa paste: I love the harissa paste from Trader Joe’s.
- Garlic: the more the better. I used about 4-6 garlic cloves.
- Spices: I used a variety of spices to elevate this chicken. cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper
- Lemon juice: optional, but I think this adds a great acidity.
- Parsley: Adds a beautiful color to the chicken.
How to make Honey Harissa Chicken?
The recipe is very simple. In a mortar and pestle pound the garlic to create a paste. (you can also mince it with a knife, pounding it was easier.) Add a drizzle of olive oil to the cleaned chicken thighs, harissa paste, honey, minced garlic, lemon juice and parsley. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix well until the chicken is coated. Allow to marinate for at least 15-20 minutes.
Heat up oil in a skillet, cast iron or grill over medium high heat and cook the chicken on each side until cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Add in butter and honey. Continue cooking for a few minutes until the sauce thickens.
You can also pop the chicken in the air fryer. Either way you cook it, it’s sure to come out delicious.
How to serve Honey Harissa Chicken?
This Honey Harissa Chicken is perfect for meal prep. Here are a few ways to serve it up.
- salad
- wrap
- rice bowl
I layered each bowl with yellow rice, a refreshing cucumber and tomato salad, sliced lettuce, roasted corn, pickled onions, crumbled feta and topped with a harissa vinaigrette.
Looking for more weeknight dinner ideas?
Jerk Meatballs
Rasta Pasta
Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
Creamy Cajun Pasta
If you try my Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls I’d love to hear your feedback. Please be sure to leave a comment, and/or tag me on Instagram @cookwithci. I would love to see your recreations and hear your thoughts.
Honey Harissa Chicken Rice Bowl
Ingredients
- 4-6 Chicken thighs or your choice of protein
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp harissa paste
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp oregano seasoning
- lemon zest
- 1/2 lemon juice
Tomato & Cucumber Salad
- 1/3 cup grape tomatoes or Roma tomato diced
- 1/2 cucumber peeled and diced
- 1/4 red onion diced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
Roasted Corn
- 2 pieces of corn
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp butter unsalted
Additional toppings
- feta
- roasted corn
- sliced lettuce
- Tzatziki
- pickled red onion
Instructions
- Add cleaned chicken thighs to a bowl and season with olive oil, harissa, garlic, parsley, lemon juice, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, pepper. Mix until the chicken thighs are coated.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken and cook on each side until browned about 5 minutes. Reduce heat, add in butter, and honey and cook for a few minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Remove from the pan and cut chicken into slices of pieces. Enjoy!
Notes
Did you make it?
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