Harissa Honey Chicken Thighs
Harissa Honey Chicken Thighs are a vibrant and flavorful dish combining smoky, spicy harissa paste with mellow honey sweetness. Juicy bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are marinated in a simple blend of ingredients, roasted to perfection with a sticky, caramelized glaze. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining and pairs well with a variety of sides from rice to roasted veggies.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: North African / Middle Eastern Inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Marinade
- 2 tablespoons harissa paste
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Prepare the Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together harissa paste, honey, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined. This creates the perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place chicken thighs in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Massage the marinade into the chicken, making sure each piece is fully coated. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor.
- Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) so it’s hot and ready to roast the chicken to crisp skin perfection.
- Roast the Chicken: Arrange the chicken thighs skin-side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a lightly greased rack. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes until the skin is golden brown, the chicken is cooked through, and the glaze is caramelized and sticky.
- Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest a few minutes after roasting so the juices redistribute, then serve hot with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Use bone-in thighs for maximum juiciness and flavor.
- Don’t skip marinating to allow deep flavor penetration.
- Pat chicken dry before roasting for crispy skin.
- Watch the oven during the last 5 minutes to prevent honey from burning.
- Let chicken rest before serving for tender, juicy meat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Harissa chicken, honey glazed chicken, spicy chicken thighs, baked chicken, quick dinner, gluten free chicken