Description
Mediterranean-inspired honey harissa chicken bowls deliver bold flavors from Greece and North Africa. Fresh ingredients and zesty spices create a delicious meal you’ll want to savor repeatedly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 4 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps harissa paste
- 1 tbsp honey
- ½ lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsps harissa paste
- 2 tbsps lemon juice
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 2 cups (400 g) cooked basmati rice
- Mixed salad greens
- 1 ripe avocado, sliced
- Pickled red onions
- Crumbled feta or crazy feta
- Marinated cucumbers and tomatoes
- Hummus
- Pita chips, pita bread, or naan
Instructions
- Marination: Thoroughly blend chicken thighs with olive oil, harissa paste, honey, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a sealed container. Refrigerate 30 minutes to overnight for maximum flavor infusion.
- Preparation: Cook rice according to package instructions. While rice simmers, whisk vinaigrette ingredients in a jar, combining olive oil, harissa paste, lemon juice, onion powder, garlic, and salt until smoothly integrated.
- Chicken Cooking: Heat olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken thighs for 5-6 minutes on first side until golden, then flip and cook an additional 4-5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Rest chicken briefly before slicing.
- Bowl Assembly: Layer bowls with mixed salad greens and prepared rice. Top with sliced chicken, avocado, pickled red onions, feta cheese, marinated cucumber and tomato mixture, and a generous scoop of hummus. Drizzle with harissa vinaigrette and serve alongside warm pita chips, traditional pita bread, or naan.
Notes
- Marinate Wisely: Let chicken soak in harissa-honey mixture for at least 30 minutes, but overnight marination delivers deeper, more intense flavor profiles.
- Sear Perfectly: Use cast-iron skillet for optimal golden caramelization, ensuring chicken develops rich, crispy exterior while maintaining juicy interior.
- Temperature Check: Always verify chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature to guarantee safe, succulent meat without overcooking.
- Customize Creatively: Swap proteins or adjust vegetable combinations to suit personal taste preferences while maintaining core Mediterranean-inspired essence.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 630
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 34 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg