Lemon Harissa Chicken
Serves 4 | Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 30 mins | Total Time: 70 mins
Harissa paste is a fiery and garlicky staple in North African cooking. Equally good as a marinade or as a condiment, Harissa has seen a surge in popularity around the world as chefs have started using Harissa in fusion cuisine. Use it in recipes (such as this one) or as a spread on bread, BBQ, veggies, and even olives.
This recipe is easy enough to make on a busy weeknight and makes a delicious meal. If you are sensitive to hot spice, use less Harissa in the recipe. You can always add more after it is cooked. Finally, we suggest an optional garlic lemon yogurt to use in the marinade and as a dip for the cooked chicken. Yogurt is a natural meat tenderizer so the longer you marinate your chicken (up to overnight), the more tender the meat and the more deeply the marinade will penetrate into the meat.
Ingredients
Harissa Paste
- 2 tbsp Piquant Post Harissa Spice Blend
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice (~1/2 lemon)
- 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
Chicken
- 1.5 lbs of boneless chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice (~1 lemon)
- 8 oz chickpeas (1/2 can, drained and rinsed)
- 2 carrots, sliced in 1 inch long diagonals
- 1 onion, sliced
- salt & pepper to taste
Lemony Yogurt
- 1/4 cup greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice (~1/2 lemon)
Notes:
- Any cut of chicken will work. Chicken thighs or legs are particularly good for this dish because they cook quickly and their fat balances the heat from the harissa.
- Instead of baking the chicken you can use the harissa spice blend as a rub and grill or broil the meat to get a light char and smokiness.
- This recipe calls for marinating the chicken in greek yogurt for 30 minutes. Yogurt is a remarkably effective meat tenderizer and can work quickly. Even if you only have 10 minutes to marinate the chicken, you the yogurt will start working. Also, cooking the chicken with yogurt marinade should develop a nice brown exterior.
- Feel free to add other veggies to your dish. We suggest kale, turnips, cauliflower, or potatoes.
Instructions
Alternatives & Substitutions
- Think of our Harissa Spice blend as a swiss army knife of the kitchen. For any dish where you desire a little pep and heat, harissa is ready and waiting for you.
- Just a few alternate use ideas: add harissa to mayo for a spicy sandwich spread; cook your rice in harissa for a glorious spice in your rice; add it to marinara sauce for a new take on pasta; sprinkle it on popcorn instead of salt and butter for a spicy crunch; garnish the rim of your homemade bloody mary’s to serve the hippest brunch in town.
- This recipe can easily be made into a crockpot meal. If you have time to marinate the chicken do so. If not, rub the spice blend or paste on the chicken and drop into the crockpot along with all veggies and other ingredients. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
- Here’s a beef harissa stew recipe that looks like a great alternative. Use 2 tbsp of our Harissa Spice blend in place of all dried spices listed in their recipe.
- You can also use the spice blend as a rub on any meat, such as beef, pork, lamb or goat. Harissa and bbq grilling go together like PB & J.
- Don’t forget to leave comments and feedback on your meals and experiments in the comments for others to read.
- Post pictures of your masterpiece meal on social media and tag us. We repost!
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