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grilled harissa chicken in a pan
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4.96 from 94 votes

Grilled Harissa Chicken

Thanks to harissa paste, this easy grilled chicken recipe is all the flavor! Slightly sweet, smoky, tangy, and just enough spicy. Serve it over quick-cooked couscous, a side of veggies, or with your favorite Mediterranean salad.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Total Time32 minutes
Course: Entree
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Servings: 8 chicken pieces
Author: The Mediterranean Dish

Ingredients

  • 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 2 lb)
  • Kosher salt
  • 10 large garlic cloves minced
  • ½ red onion sliced
  • 1 ½ tsp coriander
  • 1 ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (or 1 tsp sweet paprika)
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp cayenne or more to your liking
  • 5 to 6 tbsp homemade harissa paste (I use this recipe for harissa. See notes if using store-bought harissa)
  • Juice 1 lemon
  • Generous drizzle of olive oil

Instructions

  • Pat the chicken dry and season with kosher salt on both sides.
  • Place the chicken in a bowl and add garlic, onions, spices, and harissa paste. Add lemon juice and a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
  • Heat an outdoor grill or an indoor griddle to medium-high heat (between 400-450 degrees Fahrenheit) and be sure to lightly oil the grates. Grill for 6 to 7 minutes or so on each side or until the chicken is fully cooked (using an instant read thermometer chicken's internal temperature should register 165 degrees F at the thickest part).

Video

Notes

  • Cook's Tip: For best results, use this homemade harissa paste. Harissa can be made in advance to keep in the fridge for use with this harissa chicken, fish, meats or even veggies. Store-bought harissa paste will work in a pinch, but it can vary in flavor. If using store-bought harissa, it's a good idea to start with less of it in this recipe, since it is more salty and can also be more spicy. 
  • Option to Marinate: If you have the time, allow the chicken to marinate in the harissa paste and spices for a bit. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes and up to 2 hours. But if you do not have the time, go ahead and grill the chicken as instructed, it will still be delicious. 
  • Visit our Online Shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including olive oils and spices used in this recipe. 

Nutrition

Calories: 154.5kcal | Carbohydrates: 4.3g | Protein: 22.5g | Fat: 4.8g | Saturated Fat: 1.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1.7g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 107.3mg | Sodium: 227.9mg | Potassium: 355.1mg | Fiber: 0.7g | Sugar: 1.6g | Vitamin A: 272.8IU | Vitamin C: 3.4mg | Calcium: 25.4mg | Iron: 1.3mg

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