What is Harissa Honey Chicken? A Guide to This Sweet and Spicy Dish

Harissa honey chicken has become an increasingly popular dish over the recent years, combining the aromatic heat of harissa with the sweetness of honey to create an irresistible balance of flavors. But what exactly is harissa honey chicken and how did it become so popular? In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into everything you need to know about this crowd-pleasing recipe.

What is Harissa?

First, let’s start with harissa itself. Harissa is a thick, spicy chili paste that originated in North Africa particularly Tunisia. It’s a staple ingredient in Maghrebi cuisine. The main ingredients in harissa are hot chili peppers, garlic, olive oil spices like coriander, caraway, and cumin, and sometimes tomatoes. It often has a deep red color and a smoky, aromatic flavor.

The specific type of chili peppers used in harissa can vary, with some common ones being serrano, cayenne, Aleppo, and New Mexico chilies. This affects the final heat level and flavor profile. Harissa can range from moderately spicy to fiery hot. Some versions also incorporate ingredients like rose petals, mint, or lemon juice for additional complexity.

The Sweet Factor: Honey

Honey serves as the perfect foil to harissa’s heat in harissa chicken recipes. The sweet viscosity of honey balances out the intensity of the chilies. You can use different varietals of honey to subtly change the flavor – a wildflower or clover honey contributes a mild sweetness that allows the harissa to shine, while a buckwheat or chestnut honey has more pronounced flavor.

The interplay between sweet and spicy is what makes harissa chicken so addictive!

Chicken – The Canvas

Chicken serves as the canvas for the harissa and honey to work their magic. Boneless chicken thighs are often used since they stay juicy when cooked. You can also use bone-in chicken pieces or even breasts. The chicken soaks up all the delicious flavors as it cooks.

Preparing Harissa Honey Chicken

While recipes can vary there are some key steps in making harissa chicken

• Marinating the chicken: This infuses flavor and tenderizes the meat. Mix harissa, honey, oil, garlic, spices, and optional lemon juice to create the marinade. Let chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally overnight.

• Cooking method: Popular cooking methods include baking, grilling, pan-searing, or broiling. Baking crisps up the exterior while keeping the inside moist and tender. Grilling adds delicious charred bits and smoky flavor.

• Glazing: During the last few minutes of cooking, generously brush the chicken with more harissa-honey mixture to form a sticky, caramelized glaze.

• Serving suggestions: Harissa chicken pairs well with couscous, rice, roasted veggies, yogurt sauce, and fresh salads.

Harissa Honey Chicken Around the World

While harissa originated in North Africa, chicken dishes using harissa and honey have become popular worldwide:

• The dish is a menu item at CAVA, a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant chain in the US. Their famous harissa honey chicken is moist and full of flavor.

• Harissa chicken is ubiquitous in Middle Eastern cuisine, where harissa chili paste is a pantry staple. Recipes combine harissa with poultry, lamb, fish and more.

• Chefs have put a global fusion twist on it – using Southeast Asian flavors like ginger, lemongrass, and soy or Indian spices like garam masala.

No matter where you enjoy it, harissa chicken never fails to satisfy!

Making Harissa Honey Chicken at Home

Recreating harissa honey chicken at home is easy. Here are some tips:

• Use store-bought harissa or make your own if you want to control the heat level and flavors.

• Let the chicken marinate for as long as possible – overnight is best, but at least 30 minutes to an hour.

• Bake or grill the chicken over direct medium-high heat until completely cooked through and glazed. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F internally.

• When glazing, watch carefully at the end to avoid burning the honey. Lower heat if needed.

• Garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro. Serve with rice or couscous and a cooling yogurt sauce.

• Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

Why People Love Harissa Honey Chicken

What makes this recipe so popular? Here are some of the highlights:

Balanced flavors – The sweet and spicy create perfect harmony. The honey tames the chili heat.

Aromatic – Harissa’s blend of smoky, garlicky, citrusy notes is irresistible.

Addictive glaze – The glistening honey-harissa coating is delicious.

Easy to make – Simple ingredients and hands-off cooking method.

Versatile – Works with different cuts of chicken. Also great on shrimp or lamb.

Global appeal – Fusion of North African harissa with universal flavors like honey and garlic.

So next time you’re looking for a chicken dish that will wow your tastebuds, give harissa honey chicken a try! The unique blend of sweet, spicy, and savory will have you going back for more.

Yes, Cava’s Harissa Honey Chicken is spicy. It features a marinade of harissa paste and honey, creating a sweet and spicy flavor profile. The harissa adds a distinct heat, while the honey balances it with sweetness, according to a food blogger.

Harissa is a North African chili paste, traditionally made from dried chilies, garlic, olive oil, and spices like cumin, coriander, and caraway.