What is Harissa Honey Chicken?
Harissa Honey Chicken is a delicious dish that combines the spicy flavor of Harissa with the sweet taste of honey. Harissa is a hot chili paste that comes from North Africa and is known for its pungent and spicy flavor. When you mix Harissa with honey, it creates a balance between spicy and sweet that makes the chicken delicious.
Where does harissa come from?
Harissa comes from countries in North Africa like Tunisia and Morocco. It is made from roasted red peppers, garlic, chili, and spices like cumin and coriander. This makes harissa both spicy and delicious, adding a distinct flavor to any dish.
Why pair harissa with honey?
Honey is sweet and sticky, and when you pair it with spicy harissa, it balances out the spiciness. The sweetness of the honey tempers the spiciness of the harissa, making the chicken delicious without being too spicy. This combination gives the chicken a rich, complex flavor that is both sweet and spicy, making it perfect for those who like a bit of spiciness in their food but still want it to taste good.
Why is this recipe easy and versatile?
This recipe is simple and easy to make, making it great for beginners. You don’t need a lot of ingredients, and the steps are easy to follow. You can cook Harissa Honey Chicken in the oven, on the stove, or even on the grill. Plus, you can serve it with many different side dishes, like rice, vegetables, or salad, so it goes well with any meal.
Ingredients for the honey harissa chicken
Chicken breasts or thighs:- 4 pieces boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Chicken thighs are juicier, but both work.
Harissa paste:- 2 tablespoons, Harissa is a spicy chili paste from North Africa. You can find this in the international section of your grocery store. If you can’t find harissa, you can use Sriracha sauce or red pepper flakes as a substitute.
Honey:- 2 tablespoons honey which adds sweetness to balance the spices. Any type of honey will work for this.
Olive oil:- 1 tablespoon olive oil which helps cook the chicken and make the sauce smooth. If you don’t have olive oil you can use vegetable oil.
Garlic:- 3 cloves of minced garlic which gives a strong flavor to the dish. If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder instead.
Lemon Juice:- 1 tablespoon lemon juice for a bit of tartness. Fresh lemon juice is best, but bottled lemon juice works too.
Salt:- Add salt as per your taste which enhances the taste of all the dishes.
Black Pepper:- ½ teaspoon black pepper which adds some spiciness and flavor. You can skip this if you don’t like too much spice.
That’s all you need for hot honey harissa chicken, with these ingredients you will be able to create a delicious dish that is both sweet and spicy. If you are ever in doubt about an ingredient or need help finding something, just remember that there are often simple substitutes you can use.
Cooking Instructions
Marinate the Chicken
Prepare the chicken: Rinse the chicken pieces and pat them dry with paper towels.
Make the marinade: In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of harissa paste, 2 tablespoons of honey, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of pepper.
Marinate: Place the chicken pieces in the bowl containing the marinade. Use your hands or a spoon to make sure the chicken is well coated with the mixture.
Let it rest: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This helps the chicken absorb all the delicious flavors.
Cooking Chicken on the Grill
Preheat the grill: Turn your grill on to medium heat and let it heat up for about 10 minutes.
Grill the chicken: Place the marinated chicken pieces on the grill. Let them cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is cooked through. Make sure the chicken is golden brown and has grill marks on it.
Check for doneness: To make sure the chicken is cooked, you can cut a piece in and see if the inside is no longer pink. The juices should run clear.
Serve and enjoy
Remove from the grill: Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the grill using tongs.
Let it rest: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This will keep the juices inside the chicken, making it more flavorful.
Serve: You can serve your Healthy chicken meals with vegetables, rice, or a salad.
Equipment Needed for Harissa Honey Chicken
Mixing bowl: You will need at least two bowls. One bowl will be for mixing the harissa and honey sauce, and the other bowl can be used to hold the chicken pieces.
Measuring spoons: These are small spoons that help you measure the right amount of ingredients like spices, honey, or harissa paste.
Baking sheet or grill: You will need a flat tray (baking sheet) if you are baking the chicken in the oven. If you prefer grilling, you will use a grill to cook the chicken.
Example: A baking sheet is like a tray you might use to bake cookies, while a grill is what you use to cook food over a fire or hot coals.
Basting brush: This is a brush you use to spread the harissa honey sauce on the chicken.
Meat thermometer (optional): This is a tool that helps you check if the chicken is cooked thoroughly by measuring its temperature.
Serving Suggestions
Harissa Honey Chicken is a versatile dish that pairs well with many side dishes. Here are some simple ideas:
Rice: Serve the chicken with soft white or brown rice. The rice will soak up the sweet and spicy sauce, making every bite taste delicious.
Salad: A fresh green salad with crisp lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes can balance out the richness of the chicken. You can drizzle a light vinaigrette over the salad for extra flavor.
Bread: Serve this with warm bread or chicken rolls to soak up the extra sauce on your plate.
Tips and tricks
If you like your food less spicy, use less harissa paste. Start with just 1 tablespoon instead of 2.
- If you like your food less spicy, use less harissa paste. Start with just 1 tablespoon instead of 2.
- If you like spice, you can add another tablespoon of harissa. Taste the sauce before pouring it over the chicken to make sure it’s right for you.
- Make sure the chicken is completely covered in the harissa honey mixture. This ensures every bite is delicious.
- If you have time, let the chicken sit in the sauce for 10-15 minutes before cooking. This allows the flavors to infuse into the meat.
Variations of Harissa Honey Chicken
You can modify this recipe to make it your own.
Using different cuts of chicken: You can use thighs, drumsticks, or wings instead of just one kind of chicken. Each part of the chicken has a different texture and flavor, so you can try them all and see which you like best.
Adding vegetables: To make a complete meal, you can add vegetables to a baking sheet or grill. Try adding carrots, potatoes, or bell peppers. The vegetables will cook in the same sauce and taste great with the chicken.
Trying different sweeteners: If you want to try a different flavor, you can replace the honey with another sweetener, like maple syrup, brown sugar, or agave syrup. Each sweetener will give the chicken a slightly different flavor.
