If you love bold flavors but still need dinner to be easy, this Harissa Honey Chicken is for you. It’s smoky, slightly spicy, perfectly sweet, and comes together in one bag — making it ideal for freezer prep, sheet-pan dinners, and weeknight bowls.
This is the kind of recipe that looks impressive, tastes restaurant-worthy, but secretly does all the work ahead of time. Future-you will be very grateful.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweet + smoky heat in perfect balance
- Uses simple pantry spices
- Great for meal prep and freezer cooking
- Works for sheet pans, bowls, or wraps
- Budget-friendly with big flavor payoff
Harissa brings the depth, honey balances the heat, and lemon keeps everything fresh and bright.
Ingredients
- 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 tablespoons harissa (I used Trader Joe’s)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ¼ cup honey
How to Make Harissa Honey Chicken Marinade
Add all ingredients to a bowl or directly into a freezer-safe bag. Mix until the chicken is fully coated in the marinade.
At this point, you can cook it right away or freeze it for later — either way, the flavor only gets better.
What Is Harissa?
Harissa is a North African chili paste made with peppers, garlic, spices, and oil. It’s smoky, slightly spicy, and packed with flavor without being overpowering.
Not all harissa is created equal — some are milder, some bring the heat. If you’re sensitive to spice, start with a smaller amount and adjust to taste.
How to Cook Harissa Honey Chicken
Once marinated (or thawed), here are your best cooking options:
Sheet Pan (Highly Recommended)
Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread chicken on a lined sheet pan and bake for 22–28 minutes, flipping once if desired. Add veggies like broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers for a full meal.
Oven-Baked
Bake in a dish at 400°F for 22–28 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Air Fryer
Cook at 375°F for 10–14 minutes, flipping halfway through for even caramelization.
Stovetop
Cook in a skillet over medium heat for 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
Freezer Instructions
This recipe is perfect for freezer stash cooking.
To freeze:
Add all ingredients to a freezer-safe bag, remove as much air as possible, seal, and freeze flat.
Freezer life:
- Best quality for up to 3 months
- Still safe slightly beyond that, but flavor is best within the 3-month window
To cook:
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and cook using your preferred method.
Freezing the chicken in the marinade allows the flavor to soak in as it thaws — zero extra work required.
How to Serve Harissa Honey Chicken
This chicken is incredibly versatile:
- Over rice or couscous bowls
- In wraps or pita with yogurt sauce
- Alongside roasted vegetables
- Sliced over salads
Add a cooling element like cucumber, yogurt, or a drizzle of tahini to balance the heat.
Final Thoughts
This Harissa Honey Chicken is proof that freezer meals don’t have to be boring. It’s bold, comforting, and easy enough for busy weeks — while still feeling exciting when it hits the table.
If you’re building a freezer marinade stash, this one deserves a permanent spot.
If you try it, tell me how you served it — sheet pan, bowl, or wrap?
Harissa Honey Chicken Marinade
Equipment
- ziplock back or storage container
Ingredients
- 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or your choice of chicken
- 2 tbsp harissa paste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/4 cup honey
