Easy Harissa Chicken

Name: Easy Harissa Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Moroccan
Ingredients: 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs; 1/4 cup mild or spicy harissa sauce; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper; Chopped fresh cilantro, dill, or parsley for serving; Plain Greek yogurt for serving

This juicy, smoky chicken is packed with bold flavor and is simple enough for any weeknight dinner.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 Moroccan· July 18, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

10 minutes

Cook

15 minutes

Total

55 minutes

Serves

Harissa chicken is one of my favorite ways to shake up a standard dinner routine. The marinade is incredibly simple, relying on the complex, smoky heat of harissa paste to do all the heavy lifting. It works beautifully with chicken thighs, which stay perfectly tender and succulent through the cooking process.

Whether you decide to grill, bake, or air fry these, the results are always delicious. I personally love serving this with a dollop of cool Greek yogurt to balance the warmth of the spices. It is a fantastic option for meal prep because it stays juicy even when reheated for work lunches.

🧺 Ingredients

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/4 cup mild or spicy harissa sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Chopped fresh cilantro, dill, or parsley for serving
Plain Greek yogurt for serving

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and trim away any large pieces of excess fat.
2
In a large bowl, stir together the harissa sauce, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, cumin, and black pepper.
3
Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and toss them until every piece is evenly coated in the marinade.
4
Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, or cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
5
Cook the chicken using your preferred method of grilling, baking, or air frying until fully cooked through.
6
Allow the chicken to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving, then garnish with fresh herbs and a side of yogurt.

💡 Tips

Serve this chicken over a bed of fluffy couscous or rice, or tuck the pieces into warm pita bread with crisp veggies. You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it perfect for quick healthy lunches throughout the week.

#chicken #dinner #healthy #high protein #gluten free

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