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Tunisian Harissa Chicken Thighs with Chickpeas

Deeply browned chicken thighs braised in a spicy harissa-tomato sauce with chickpeas, finished with fresh lemon, herbs, and olive oil.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine North African, Tunisian
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

Chicken

  • 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 tbsp harissa paste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp ground caraway
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Sauce

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion diced
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1-2 tbsp harissa paste
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp ground caraway
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 14.5 oz diced or crushed tomatoes 1 can
  • 15 oz chickpeas 1 can, drained and rinsed
  • 3/4 cup chicken stock
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt plus more to taste

To Finish

  • 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup cilantro or flat-leaf parsley chopped
  • extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling
  • plain Greek yogurt optional, for serving

Instructions
 

Season the Chicken

  • Combine 2 tablespoons harissa, 1 tablespoon olive oil, cumin, coriander, caraway, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss thoroughly with the chicken thighs. Cook immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to 4 hours for deeper flavor.

Sear

  • Heat a large Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and sear without moving for about 4 minutes. Flip and cook another 2-3 minutes. The goal is deep browning rather than cooking the thighs through. Transfer to a plate.

Build the Sauce

  • Reduce heat to medium and add another tablespoon of olive oil if the pan looks dry. Add the onion and cook for 5-7 minutes, scraping up the browned chicken bits. Add garlic, 1 tablespoon harissa, cumin, coriander, and caraway and cook about 60 seconds. Add tomato paste and cook another 1-2 minutes, until slightly darkened.

Braise

  • Add tomatoes, chickpeas, chicken stock, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Return the chicken and accumulated juices to the pan, nestling the thighs partially into the chickpeas. Reduce to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, turning the chicken once, until tender and the sauce has reduced. If the sauce gets too thick before the chicken is ready, add a splash of stock or water.

Finish

  • Remove from the heat. Add the zest of 1/2 lemon, 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, most of the chopped herbs, and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil. Taste and adjust with additional lemon, salt, or harissa as needed. Scatter the remaining herbs over the top.

Notes

Serve over buttered couscous with plenty of chickpeas and sauce. Plain Greek yogurt is excellent on the side to temper the harissa. For bone-in, skin-on thighs, use about 2 1/2 lb. Sear skin-side down 6-8 minutes until deeply crisp, flip for 2 minutes, then braise about 30-35 minutes, keeping the skin above the sauce as much as possible.
Keyword chicken thighs, chickpeas, harissa, one-pan
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