Enjoy these tasty grilled chicken thighs just as they are with your favorite sides, or turn them into rice bowls that are just as amazing as the ones they serve at Cava, with basmati rice, hummus, and feta cheese. Need more rice bowl ideas? Try my Teriyaki Chicken Bowls or Korean Beef Bowl recipe.
What is Harissa?
Harissa is a flavorful paste used primarily in North African cuisine that is made from hot chili peppers, olive oil, and spices such as garlic, coriander, and cumin. It is smoky and spicy, and the amount of heat will vary based on the type of peppers used to make it. Why choose our harissa chicken recipe? You’ll love how simple this marinade is, and how absolutely delicious it is! I’m using Trader Joe’s Tunisian Harissa paste, so the flavor is more mild than than a traditional authentic one would give. It’s still spicy, but this makes it perfect for more delicate palettes!
Grilled Harissa Chicken Recipe Highlights
Easy, Flavorful Marinade – Marinating the chicken thighs for at least an hour (and for up to 24 hours) will ensure that your chicken is wonderfully juicy and irresistibly tasty. Traditional Tunisian Flavors – Harissa is used widely in the Maghreb, which is the northwestern part of Africa, and the western part of the Arab world. Similar dishes would be served in Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, and Morocco. Make Ahead Friendly – You can prepare the chicken in the marinade up to a full day ahead of time. Just keep it in the fridge and pull it out when you’re ready to grill! Cooking Options – I’m showing you how to grill these marinated chicken thighs, but you can easily cook them in the oven if you’d rather not cook outside.
Want to try something a bit different? Check out my recipes for Huli Huli Chicken, Honey Lime Chicken, and Cilantro Lime Chicken next!
Key Ingredients
Here’s everything you need to make harissa grilled chicken: Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Chicken Thighs: This recipe works best with boneless, skinless chicken thighs, but you can feel free to use the marinade with chicken breasts, tenderloins, or bone-in chicken pieces as well. Harissa Paste: Look for this in the ethnic section of your large grocery store, or visit a Middle Eastern market. I found mine at Trader Joe’s! Olive Oil and Lemon: Fresh lemon juice helps to tenderize the meat, while olive oil keeps it moist and juicy on the grill. Garlic: Use freshly minced garlic whenever possible. The flavor is so much better than jarred garlic. Honey: This adds sweetness to balance out some of the spice from the harissa paste. Spices: Grab some salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and cumin from your pantry.
How To Make Grilled Harissa Chicken
Copycat Cava Harissa Chicken Bowl
Want to turn your grilled chicken into a rice bowl just like the ones they make at Cava? Here’s what you’ll need:
Cooked basmati rice Arugula Diced Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad: Try my easy Kachumber Indian salad. Grilled Corn: Add a couple of fresh corn cobs to the grill and char them up while you’re grilling the chicken. Pickled Red Onions Feta: Cava serves something they call “crazy feta” which is feta cheese blended with lemon juice, jalapeno, and onion. I’m using plain crumbled feta instead. Hummus: Make homemade hummus! Pita Chips
Fill your bowl with rice, then top with diced grilled harissa chicken. Layer on the toppings however you’d like!
Recipe Tips
Marinate overnight if you can. Give the chicken extra time in the marinade to make it extra delicious! 2 hours is the absolute minimum amount of time, but 8 or 12 hours is even better. Make grilled corn. This is a wonderful side dish with Harissa chicken, or you can cut the corn off of the cob to add to rice bowls. Simply add the corn (or any veggies you like) to the grill along with the chicken. Bake the chicken. If you’d rather not light up your outdoor grill, you can absolutely cook chicken thighs in the oven! Follow the instructions in my baked boneless chicken thighs recipe for all the details, or simply bake at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes. Use a meat thermometer. You will know that the chicken is fully cooked because it will read 165°F/74°C on the inside.
Storing Tips
Keep leftover grilled chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze cooked chicken for up to 3 months! This spicy chicken is delicious as leftovers, and makes amazing sandwiches, flatbread wraps, and salads.
What To Serve With Harissa Chicken
If you’d rather not make rice bowls with this chicken, you can serve it with any of your favorite sides! Try a few of these summertime favorites that will pair wonderfully with spicy chicken:
Grilled Potatoes in Foil Smashed Potato Salad with dill Strawberry Feta Salad Pearl Couscous Salad
To offset the spiciness, try serving Harissa chicken drizzled with plain greek yogurt.
How long does it take to grill chicken thighs?
On a hot grill, my boneless, skinless thighs were cooked after about 3 minutes on each side. Cook your chicken for at least that long, and use a thermometer to ensure that the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165°F/74°C.
Where do you buy harissa paste?
You should be able to find this seasoning at most large grocery stores, in the ethnic section. If that doesn’t work, you can also buy harissa paste online.
How long can I marinate chicken?
For this recipe and marinade, you should marinate chicken for at least 2 hours, but not longer than 24 hours. Marinating for too long can cause the acidity of the marinade to break down the muscle fibers in the meat too much. Happy Grilling! This easy marinated Harissa Chicken recipe will be a family favorite in no time, especially if your family enjoys flavorful, spicy meals. © Little Sunny Kitchen
