Spicy Harissa Chicken Thighs with Smashed Olives
Spicy, salty, and slightly sweet chicken thighs in a decadent harissa sauce with onions and smashed olives.
Servings: 4 people
Cost: 15
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs skin-on, bone in (or boneless thighs for quicker cooking)
- 3 tbsp harissa paste adjust heat to taste
- 3 tbsp olive oil divided
- 1 tbsp honey optional, for balance
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ tsp smoked paprika optional, for depth
- 1 red onion thinly sliced
- 1 cup green olives preferably Castelvetrano, lightly smashed
- ½ lemon juice + zest
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken
- In a bowl, combine harissa paste, 2 tbsp olive oil, honey, minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Rub mixture generously over the chicken thighs.
- Let marinate for 30 minutes (or up to 8 hours in the fridge for deeper flavor).
Sear the Chicken (optional)
- Heat a large oven-safe skillet (cast iron is best) over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken skin-side down and sear until skin is golden and crispy, about 4–5 minutes.
- Flip and cook another 2 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside (it will finish in the oven).
Cook the Vegetables
- In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil, then the red onion slices.
- Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Add the smashed olives, toss, and season with a little salt and pepper.
Roast Everything Together
- Nestle chicken thighs back into the skillet, skin-side up, among the olives and onions.
- Drizzle with lemon juice and sprinkle zest over the top.
- Transfer skillet to a 400°F (200°C) oven and roast for 15–20 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165°F internal temp.
- About halfway through, scoop some of the braising liquid and sauce to spoon over chicken to baste.
Finish & Serve
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and an extra drizzle of olive oil.
- Serve with couscous, rice, or warm flatbread to soak up the sauce.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 423kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 19g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 616mg | Potassium: 319mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 348IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg
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