Name: Easy Harissa Chicken Bowls Recipe (Fabulous!)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: African
Ingredients: 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs; 1/2 teaspoon coriander; 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt; Avocado oil; 1 cup pearl couscous; 1 tablespoon butter; 1 1/2 cups water; 1/4 cup olive oil; 2 tablespoons honey; 2 tablespoon red wine vinegar; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 4 cups chopped kale; 1 1/2 cups roasted red pepper strips; 1 cup pomegranate arils; 3/4 cup pistachios; 1 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt; 1/2 cup Harissa; 4 lemon wedges

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These Harissa Chicken Bowls are an explosion of flavor and textures and are filled with nourishing ingredients!

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I’m a big fan of bowl recipes. Why do some ingredients just taste better when mixed together in a bowl and topped with a yummy dressing? It’s just the way it is. Prime examples are my Fall Harvest Bowl recipe, this Vegetable Grain Bowl recipe, my incredible Salmon Quinoa Bowl recipe, and this Southwest Grain Bowl recipe. Today I’m bringing you another delicious option you can have for lunch or dinner!

I took my daughter, Meghan, to New York City for her 16th birthday, and had a Harissa Chicken Bowl for one of our lunches. I’ve been dreaming about it ever since and dying to recreate it. I finally did and now it will be a part of my regular meal rotation! It’s super easy to make and filled with flavors and textures you’ll adore. Let me show you how to make your own Harissa Chicken Bowls at home!

What is Harissa?

Harissa, my friends, is like a passport to a world of flavor. This North African chili paste is a fiery blend of red chili peppers, garlic cloves, and spices like coriander seeds and caraway.

It packs a bold flavor that can instantly add a kick to any meal whether it’s a simple sheet-pan supper to an elaborate Middle Eastern feast.

You’ll love having this marinade around because harissa adds an instant heat kick that’s fully customizable. It doesn’t matter if you prefer a mild warmth or a blazing fire, adjusting the heat level in your harissa can make your favorite chicken recipes dance to your tune.

And most importantly, this paste is versatile too. You can smear it on whole chicken, mix it into a marinade for chicken breasts, or stir it into sauces for a spicy harissa-laced kick.

Besides being delicious, hot chili peppers in harissa offer a boost of capsaicin which has anti-inflammatory properties and can help boost metabolism. You can make your own harissa sauce, but the store bought version I use is made with excellent ingredients. For this recipe, I used Mina Harissa (Spicy).

If you avoid extra spicy foods, don’t worry because you can also use the mild version of Mina Harissa.

Ingredients Needed For this Spicy North African Meal

When whipping up an easy harissa chicken recipe, here’s what you must have on hand:

Chicken Thighs: We will shred our cooked chicken thighs and they’re perfect when mixed with the bold harissa marinade.
Coriander: A sprinkle of this spice adds lemony zest to the chicken’s flavor.
Garlic Salt: Unlink table salt, this gives the chicken a rich, garlicky kick.
Avocado Oil: A drizzle helps to crisp up the chicken while roasting and adds a buttery note.
Pearl Couscous: These pearls are fantastic at soaking up flavors and brings a delightful chew to your bowl.
Butter: By melting into the couscous, butter gives a creamy texture.
Olive Oil: It creates a rich base for the dressing and brings smoothness to the mix.
Honey: Its sweetness cuts through the heat, balancing the spiciness you get from the harissa sauce.
Red Wine Vinegar: Red wine vinegar introduces a tangy edge to the dressing and is perfect with the lemon.
Lemon Juice: Adds a burst of citrus that brightens the entire dish.
Chopped Kale: This green helps you feed veggies to the kids because its crunchy texture is great in the harissa bowl.
Roasted Red Pepper Strips: Red pepper strips bring a smoky sweetness that pairs wonderfully with the spicy harissa.
Pomegranate Arils: Offer a burst of juicy sweetness and some color to the bowl.
Pistachios: Their crunchiness is a delightful contrast to the softer textures in the bowl.
Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt: Dollop on top for a creamy, cooling complement to the heat.
Harissa: The star ingredient that infuses the dish with its signature smoky flavor. I use this Mina Harissa Sauce.
Lemon Wedges: Squeeze these over the bowl just before serving for that extra kick of fresh lemony flair.

How to Make Harissa Chicken Bowls

Here’s how you make these satisfying bowls:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
In a small bowl, combine the coriander and garlic salt.
Dry the chicken thighs, and then lightly brush both sides with avocado oil. Rub both sides with the spice mixture.
Cook in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove and allow to cool before shredding the chicken.
Meanwhile, cook the couscous. Bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil. While the water is heating, melt the butter in a pan. Add the dry couscous and toast for 3-5 minutes.
Add the toasted couscous to the boiling water. Reduce heat to a simmer, then cover and cook 10-15 minutes, until tender.
Meanwhile, combine the dressing ingredients. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the chicken, couscous, chopped kale, roasted red pepper strips, pomegranate arils, and pistachios.
Drizzle with the dressing and toss to combine. Serve each of the 4 bowls with with 1/4 cup Greek yogurt and 2 tablespoons Harissa on the side, plus a lemon wedge. Enjoy!
Note: If making this for meal prep, you can divide the ingredients evenly into 4 separate containers. Wait to add the dressing, harissa, and yogurt until ready to eat.

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Other Snacks and Meals You Can Make With Harissa Marinade

There’s more you can make besides Harissa Chicken Bowls once you have a jar of the tasty goodness. Who knew a small bowl of harissa marinade could open up a world of culinary possibilities? Whether you get a jar from Trader Joe’s or your local grocery store, this fiery paste is the backbone of countless flavorful dishes. If you’re new to this African cuisine staple, here’s how you can make it a regular in your kitchen, adding that spice of the harissa to many finger-licking meals:

Breakfast & Brunch

Think beyond the basic uses and introduce harissa into your breakfast or snack routines. For example, mix harissa with a bit of extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice, and spread it over cooked chicken or raw chicken legs prepped in the air fryer for a spicy north-inspired dish. The medium heat from the harissa gives the chicken a perfect zest and makes it a favorite for brunches.

Side Dishes

For a side, toss crunchy potatoes and cauliflower rice with a teaspoon of salt and harissa. Bake on a baking sheet for a side dish that’s done in just 5-10 minutes—talk about easy harissa chicken recipes. Also add cherry tomatoes and red onions into the mix to bring more flavor and color to the food.

Dips & Sauces

You can also combine harissa with some Greek yogurt in a medium bowl to create a delicious sauce that’s perfect with pita bread or fresh veggies. This homemade version of a harissa dip can make salads and snacks way tastier.

On-the-Go Meals

If you meal prep for the week, smearing smaller chunks of dark meat or skinless chicken thighs with harissa and wrapping them up means you always have tasty food in the fridge. This harissa mixture goes with everything. Toss it with veggies before roasting, stir it into your brown rice for a color pop, or whip it into dressings for the zing. Everything will have the North African spice kick.

FAQs

Can I use harissa paste in vegetarian dishes?

Why not? Harissa can spice up vegetarian dishes like roasted veggies, stews, or grain bowls.

Is harissa too spicy for kids?

Harissa’s heat level can differ, so start with a small amount when serving to kids and increase as tolerated. Mixing harissa with yogurt can also help mellow the spice.

How long can I store homemade harissa?

If you decide to make your harissa sauce yourself, when kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator, homemade harissa can last up to a month.

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Easy Harissa Chicken Bowls Recipe (Fabulous!)

What is Harissa?

Ingredients Needed For this Spicy North African Meal

How to Make Harissa Chicken Bowls