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Harissa Honey Chicken Thighs

Harissa Honey Chicken Thighs
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Harissa Honey Chicken Thighs combine the smoky heat of harissa paste with the natural sweetness of honey to create a bold and vibrant dish. Juicy, skin-on chicken thighs are marinated in a flavorful blend of harissa, honey, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper, then cooked to crispy perfection either on the stovetop or roasted in the oven. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and offers an irresistible balance of spicy and sweet flavors suitable for both novice and experienced cooks.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4–6 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs

Marinade

  • 2 tablespoons harissa paste
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together harissa paste, honey, olive oil, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until smooth and shiny to create a flavorful marinade.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a shallow dish or ziplock bag and pour the marinade over them, ensuring each piece is generously coated. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.
  3. Preheat Your Pan or Oven: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat or preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) if roasting the chicken.
  4. Cook the Chicken: For stovetop, place chicken skin-side down and cook until crispy and golden, about 5-7 minutes, then flip and cook for another 5 minutes or until thoroughly cooked. For oven roasting, arrange thighs skin-side up on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes until caramelized and cooked through.
  5. Glaze and Serve: Pour any leftover marinade into a small saucepan and simmer briefly to thicken into a glaze. Drizzle this glaze over the cooked chicken thighs before serving for extra flavor and shine.

Notes

  • Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before marinating to ensure crispy skin.
  • Rest the chicken for a few minutes after cooking to lock in juicy flavors.
  • Use fresh lemon juice for brightness, as it is more flavorful than bottled.
  • Adjust the amount of harissa depending on brand heat level to suit your spice preferences.
  • Cook skin-side down first to develop a crispy, caramelized crust.

Nutrition

Keywords: harissa, honey, chicken thighs, spicy, sweet, quick dinner, North African, gluten free

Find it online: https://lillysplate.com/harissa-honey-chicken-thighs/