Harissa Honey Chicken is a flavorful, easy-to-make dish inspired by CAVA’s famous harissa chicken. Combining savory, spicy, and sweet flavors, it makes for a quick weeknight dinner. The chicken is coated in a simple mixture of harissa, honey, and a few other basic ingredients, making it juicy and flavorful with minimal effort. Serve it alongside rice or veggies for a complete, satisfying meal.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

• 3 tablespoons harissa paste

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a small bowl, whisk together the harissa paste, honey, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until fully combined. Coat the chicken with the marinade, making sure to cover all sides. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours for more flavor).

2. Cook the Chicken: Preheat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the chicken is cooked through.

3. Serve: Once the chicken is done, remove it from the heat and let it rest for a few minutes. Slice and serve over a bed of rice or alongside your favorite vegetables. Drizzle any remaining sauce over the chicken before serving.

Nutrients

While exact nutritional values are not provided, here’s an estimated breakdown per serving (for 4 servings):

• Calories: 280-350 kcal

• Protein: 30g

• Fat: 14g

  • Saturated Fat: 3g

• Carbohydrates: 12g

  • Sugar: 10g

• Sodium: 400mg

• Cholesterol: 70mg

• Potassium: 500mg

This Harissa Honey Chicken is a flavorful, satisfying dish that’s perfect for busy nights when you need something quick but tasty!

What Makes Harissa Honey Chicken Special?

At the heart of Harissa Honey Chicken is the harissa paste, a North African condiment made from roasted red peppers, spices, and olive oil. This paste infuses the chicken with deep, smoky heat that’s perfectly balanced by the sweetness of honey. The lemon juice in the marinade adds a touch of acidity, which brightens the dish and helps tenderize the chicken. Together, these ingredients create a marinade that enhances the chicken’s natural flavors while giving it a distinctive, mouthwatering taste.

The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. You don’t need to spend hours marinating or fussing with complex cooking techniques. With just a few key ingredients—harissa paste, honey, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper—you can transform boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs into a flavorful, tender main course. The result is a quick, no-fuss meal that’s rich in flavor and perfect for any occasion.

The Ingredients: Spicy, Sweet, and Savory

The star ingredients in this recipe are harissa paste and honey, both of which play a crucial role in balancing the dish’s flavors. Harissa paste is essential for providing the signature heat and smokiness that defines this recipe. It’s made from a blend of hot peppers, garlic, and spices, offering a complex flavor profile that ranges from tangy to spicy. The amount of heat in your harissa paste will depend on the brand you use, so feel free to adjust the quantity to suit your spice tolerance.

Honey, on the other hand, adds the perfect amount of sweetness to counterbalance the spicy harissa. The sugar in the honey helps create a caramelized crust on the chicken when cooked, enhancing both the flavor and texture. Olive oil adds richness and moisture, while lemon juice offers a bright, zesty note that brings all the flavors together in perfect harmony.

While the marinade only takes a few minutes to prepare, allowing the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes—or up to two hours—lets the flavors fully penetrate the meat, ensuring that every bite is bursting with flavor.

Cooking the Chicken: Simple and Fast

Cooking Harissa Honey Chicken is as easy as it gets. You can prepare it using a grill or skillet, depending on your preference and equipment. Preheating the grill or skillet to medium-high heat is key for achieving a perfectly cooked chicken with a crispy, flavorful exterior.

When the chicken hits the hot pan or grill, the harissa honey marinade caramelizes, creating a beautiful golden-brown crust while locking in moisture. Cooking times will vary depending on the thickness of the chicken, but typically, each side should be cooked for 5-7 minutes. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C), which ensures that it is fully cooked through yet still juicy.

One tip to ensure the chicken stays moist and tender is to let it rest for a few minutes after cooking. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more flavorful and succulent chicken.

Serving Suggestions: Versatile and Delicious

Harissa Honey Chicken can be served in a variety of ways, making it a versatile dish that pairs well with many sides. For a classic meal, serve the chicken over a bed of rice, which will soak up the flavorful juices from the chicken and marinade. Alternatively, you can serve it alongside your favorite vegetables, such as roasted sweet potatoes, steamed broccoli, or a crisp salad.

If you’re looking for a lighter option, consider serving the chicken with a side of quinoa, couscous, or cauliflower rice. These alternatives complement the flavors of the chicken without overwhelming the dish. A drizzle of any remaining sauce from the pan or grill over the chicken will add an extra layer of flavor and richness to the meal.

Nutritional Benefits of Harissa Honey Chicken

Harissa Honey Chicken is not only delicious but also a nutritious meal option. Chicken breast or thighs are excellent sources of lean protein, which is essential for building and repairing muscles, supporting immune function, and maintaining overall health. The inclusion of olive oil provides healthy fats, which contribute to heart health, while honey offers natural sweetness with some additional antioxidants.

In terms of vitamins and minerals, the dish provides a good amount of potassium, which is important for regulating blood pressure, and small amounts of vitamin C from the lemon juice. While the calories are moderate (approximately 280-350 kcal per serving), the meal offers a healthy balance of macronutrients, including protein, fats, and carbohydrates.

If you’re looking to reduce the amount of sugar, you can adjust the quantity of honey or substitute it with a sugar-free alternative. The dish remains flavorful while meeting dietary preferences.

Creative Variations of Harissa Honey Chicken

One of the best things about Harissa Honey Chicken is its versatility. You can experiment with different types of harissa, such as hot, mild, or even roasted red pepper harissa, to adjust the level of heat in the dish. If you prefer a bit of extra spice, you can add more harissa or a pinch of cayenne pepper.

For a different flavor profile, try incorporating additional herbs and spices into the marinade. A teaspoon of cumin or coriander can bring an earthy depth to the chicken, while a sprinkle of smoked paprika will add a subtle smokiness that complements the harissa. If you prefer a citrusy twist, you can add some orange zest or juice to the marinade.

If you’re grilling the chicken, consider adding vegetables to the grill as well, such as bell peppers, zucchini, or onions, for a complete meal. You can also marinate the vegetables in the same harissa honey mixture to bring out similar flavors.

Conclusion: A Quick, Flavorful Meal for Any Night

Harissa Honey Chicken is an easy-to-make, flavorful dish that combines the perfect balance of spicy, savory, and sweet flavors. The simple marinade of harissa, honey, olive oil, and lemon juice transforms chicken into a mouthwatering meal that requires minimal effort and delivers maximum flavor. Whether served with rice, vegetables, or a light salad, this dish is versatile enough to fit any meal occasion. Its quick cooking time and bold flavors make it an excellent choice for a busy weeknight dinner or a casual gathering. With just a few ingredients and a few simple steps, Harissa Honey Chicken is sure to become a staple in your meal rotation.