Harissa Chicken

This delightful Harissa Chicken recipe packs bold flavor into a quick and easy dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights! A simple marinade of harissa, honey, garlic and spices ensures juicy, tender chicken thighs with crispy, golden skin. Simple ingredients, big flavor!

Looking for more easy and delicious chicken recipes? Try these out next: Chicken Marinade, Chicken Stir Fry and this Sesame Chicken!

Chicken and Harissa

If you’re looking for a recipe that packs bold flavor with minimal effort, this Harissa Chicken is it! Juicy, bone-in chicken thighs are marinated in a smoky-sweet and spicy harissa sauce, then roasted to perfection until the skin gets golden and crispy. The result is a dish that’s as impressive as it is easy, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

The magic is in the marinade and it takes just minutes to pull together! The harissa sauce brings a punch of heat and spice, while honey and lemon add balance and brightness.

We like to serve this simple chicken and harissa recipe with couscous, rice or a fresh green salad on the side. I have a feeling this recipe will quickly become a go-to favorite when you’re craving something flavorful and don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

What Is Harissa?

Harissa is a flavorful chili paste or sauce that originates from North Africa, particularly Morocco and Tunisia, and is now a popular ingredient across Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines. It’s made from roasted red peppers, hot chili peppers, garlic, olive oil and spices like cumin, coriander and caraway.

The flavor is smoky and bold and range from slightly spicy to hot. You can find harissa in jars or tubes at most grocery stores, and it comes in mild, medium and hot or spicy varieties.

If you’re new to cooking with harissa, remember that its flavor profile can vary from brand to brand. Some are smokier, some are hotter and others are more herb-forward. It’s a good idea to taste your harissa paste before using it so you know what you’re working with. Adjust the honey, lemon or spices in the marinade to create the perfect balance for your family.

Trish’s Tip: Harissa is sold in mild, medium and spicy – pick the heat level you’re comfortable with. I always suggest starting mild and building up as needed. Harissa can be sold as a “sauce” or a “paste” – both work in this recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There’s a lot to love about this delicious Honey Harissa Chicken recipe!

• Bold and Flavorful – Harissa paste gives the chicken smoky, spicy depth while honey and lemon keep it balanced.
• Easy Weeknight Dinner – Just marinate, roast and serve. This recipe has minimal prep with maximum payoff. I love that the marinade is ready in as little as an hour or the chicken can marinate all day.
• Versatile Serving Options – Pair with couscous, rice, roasted veggies or a crisp green salad for a complete dinner the whole family will love.

How To Make Harissa Chicken

These Harissa Chicken Thighs are juicy, flavorful, and perfectly spiced with harissa, garlic, and warm spices. A simple marinade of harissa, honey, garlic and spices, then oven-roasted for a dish that’s as impressive as it is effortless. Roasted until the skin is crisp and the meat is tender, this Harissa Chicken is an easy and delicious weeknight dinner. 

Let’s take a quick look at how to make the recipe and as always, you’ll find the full printable recipe card at the end of this post.

1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel.
2. Add the harissa sauce, minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, lemon juice, honey, olive oil, salt and pepper.
3. Mix together until well combined.
4. Toss chicken with the harissa marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
5. Place chicken skin-side up in the baking dish. Bake at 425°F for 30–35 minutes.
6. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Storage Information

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to keep the skin crispy.
• Freezer: Marinated but uncooked chicken can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
• Make Ahead: Marinate the chicken the night before for the best flavor and easy prep the next day.

Variations To Try

• Use chicken drumsticks, breasts, wings, or even boneless thighs. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time as needed.
• Roast carrots, potatoes, or bell peppers in the same pan for a complete one-pan meal.
• Reduce the harissa or mix it with extra honey to tone down the heat.
• Cook the marinated chicken on the grill for a smoky, charred flavor.

What does harissa taste like?

Harissa is smoky, spicy and slightly tangy with a hint of garlic and herbs. It’s a bold but versatile ingredient that adds instant flavor to the chicken.

Can I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts?

Yes, you can use boneless, skinless thighs or chicken breasts. Just reduce the cooking time by about 5–10 minutes and check for doneness, chicken is ready at 165°F.

Where can I find harissa paste?

Most grocery stores carry it in the international foods aisle, or you can find it online. This is the Harissa I used.

Can I grill or air-fry the chicken instead of baking?

Absolutely! Harissa chicken thighs can be grilled over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes per side or air-fried at 400°F for about 20 to 25 minutes, until cooked through.

Trish’s Tips

• Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel before marinating. This helps the skin get crispy when it bakes.
• For extra crispy chicken, place the chicken on a rack in the baking dish.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked through without overbaking.
• Let the chicken rest before serving to lock in juices.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan. Plenty of space between the chicken pieces helps them roast instead of steam.
• For best flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Adjust the amount of harissa to your preferred spice level.
• Bone-in, skin-on thighs yield the juiciest results, but you can use boneless or skinless if preferred but adjust the cooking time accordingly.

More Delicious Chicken Recipes

1. Hawaiian Chicken
2. Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
3. Chicken Salad
4. Chicken Piccata
5. Cashew Chicken