Harissa Honey Chicken (Air Fryer or Oven)

This Harissa Honey Chicken Recipe (Air Fryer or Oven) is made with bone in chicken, harissa paste, honey, garlic, ginger and is baked to perfection.

If your craving some chicken to bite off the bone, then you need to make this. This is a perfect combination of spicy, savory and sweet and great for any weeknight recipe. This is one of the easiest recipes, especially if you are feeding a family. Not only is it tasty, it is also super healthy. This is an easy weeknight meal and fuss-free. I love to serve them with some Air Fried Bok Choy on the side. This dish will become a part of your regular meals, all it takes it one time, and you’ll be hooked.

If you like this recipe, you need to try my Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings and my Citrus BBQ Chicken Wings.

What is Harissa Honey Chicken?

Harissa honey chicken wings are a flavorful and spicy twist on traditional chicken wings. Harissa is a North African chili paste made from roasted peppers, spices, and herbs, while honey is a sweetener that helps to balance out the heat from the harissa. When combined, these two ingredients create a sweet and spicy glaze that is perfect for coating chicken wings.

To make harissa honey chicken wings, the chicken wings are first baked or grilled until crispy, then coated with a mixture of harissa, honey, olive oil, and spices. The wings are then returned to the oven or grill and cooked until the glaze is caramelized and sticky.

Harissa honey chicken wings are often served as an appetizer or party food and can be enjoyed on their own or with a dipping sauce, such as ranch or blue cheese dressing. They are a great option for anyone who loves spicy and flavorful chicken wings and wants to try something new and exciting.

Why you will love these Harissa Honey Chicken Wings

• Bold flavor: Harissa and honey make a delicious combination of sweet and spicy flavors that work perfectly with the crispy chicken wings. The spices in harissa provide a smoky and complex flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of the honey.
• Versatile: Harissa honey chicken wings are great for a variety of occasions, from game day parties to family dinners. They make a great appetizer or main course, and can be served with a variety of sides and dipping sauces.
• Easy to make: This recipe is relatively easy to make, and doesn't require any fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients. You can bake or grill the chicken wings, and the harissa honey glaze can be made in just a few minutes.
• Crowd-pleaser: Harissa honey chicken wings are sure to be a hit with anyone who loves spicy and flavorful food. They are a great option for parties or gatherings, and can be easily adapted to suit different preferences by adjusting the amount of harissa or honey used in the recipe.

Harissa Honey Chicken Ingredients

• Bone-in Chicken
• Harissa Paste
• Honey
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Chives

See recipe card for Harissa Honey Chicken (Air Fryer or Oven) quantities.

How to make Harissa Honey Chicken Recipe

See video below for step by step instructions.

In a large bowl, mix the harissa, honey, ginger, and garlic and whisk together. Add the chicken inside the bowl and mix until coated.

Place the chicken in the refrigerator and marinate for at least 30 minutes. The longer the better. Take the chicken out of the refrigerator until the chicken reaches room temperature.

For Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Add the chicken onto the prepared baking sheet and bake in the oven for 45-50 minutes, flipping once halfway. For Air Fryer: Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Air Fry for 20 minutes, flipping once halfway. 

Garnish with chives.

Substitutions

Chicken: The chicken can be either wings, drumsticks, or thighs, as long as they are bone-in. Cooking time is the same for each piece.

Ginger: I love using fresh ginger for this recipe and can be found close to the garlic at your local grocery store.

Honey: You can either use honey, brown sugar or maple syrup.

Garlic: For best quality, use fresh garlic. You can opt to using garlic from the jar.

Harissa Honey Chicken Recipe Variations

There are many variations to the classic harissa honey chicken wings recipe that you can try to add more depth and variety to the dish. Here are a few ideas:

• Citrus: Add some fresh citrus to the marinade or glaze for a tangy twist. Try adding a squeeze of fresh lime juice to the harissa honey mixture, or marinating the chicken wings in a mixture of orange juice, harissa, and honey before grilling or baking.
• Sesame: Add some toasted sesame seeds or sesame oil to the harissa honey glaze for a nutty, rich flavor. You can also sprinkle sesame seeds on top of the chicken wings before serving.
• Smoky: If you enjoy a smoky flavor, try adding some smoked paprika to the harissa honey mixture or marinade. You can also smoke the chicken wings on a charcoal or wood-fired grill for a smoky flavor.
• Yogurt dip: Serve the harissa honey chicken wings with a cooling yogurt dip. Mix together some plain Greek yogurt, chopped fresh herbs, and a squeeze of lemon or lime juice for a delicious dip that balances out the heat of the wings.
• Vegan: For a vegan version of this dish, substitute chicken wings with cauliflower or tofu. You can grill or bake the cauliflower or tofu in the same way as the chicken wings and then coat them with the harissa honey glaze.

Check out this Cauliflower Wings Air Fryer.

Equipment

• Baking sheet or grill: You can bake the chicken wings in the oven or grill them on a gas or charcoal grill. I love using my Caraway pots, pans and baking sheets for best quality. Get yourself a discount by clicking here!
• Mixing bowl: You will need a bowl to mix together the harissa honey glaze and to marinate the chicken wings.
• Tongs: Tongs are useful for turning the chicken wings while cooking and for transferring them to a serving dish.
• Measuring spoons: You'll need measuring spoons to accurately measure the harissa, honey, and other ingredients for the glaze.
• Whisk or fork: Use a whisk or fork to mix together the harissa honey glaze until it is well combined.
• Oven mitts: If baking the chicken wings in the oven, you'll need oven mitts to handle the hot baking sheet.

How to store Harissa Honey Chicken

To store leftover Harissa Honey Chicken, allow it to cool to room temperature, then place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The chicken will keep for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

To reheat the chicken, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the chicken on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through.

It's important to note that the glaze on the chicken may become sticky and thick when refrigerated. To avoid this, you can store the chicken separately from the glaze, and reheat the glaze separately in a saucepan or in the microwave.

It's not recommended to freeze Harissa Honey Chicken, as the texture of the chicken may become dry and tough after freezing and thawing.

Harissa Honey Chicken Top tips

Here are some top tips for making Harissa Honey Chicken:

• Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes: Marinating the chicken in the harissa honey mixture for at least 30 minutes will allow the flavors to penetrate the meat and make it more tender and flavorful.
• Use quality chicken wings: Look for chicken wings that are plump, meaty, and have a good skin-to-meat ratio. Organic or free-range chicken wings can have better flavor and texture than conventionally raised chicken.
• Don't skimp on the harissa: The harissa is the star of this dish, so be sure to use a good quality harissa paste or make your own. The paste should be spicy, slightly sweet, and slightly smoky.
• Adjust the heat to your liking: If you're sensitive to spicy food, you can adjust the amount of harissa used in the recipe to your liking. You can also use a milder chili paste or omit the chili paste altogether and just use honey and other spices.
• Brush the chicken with glaze: Brush the chicken wings with the harissa honey glaze while cooking to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed and the chicken stays moist.
• Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the cooked chicken wings can help balance out the heat and add a fresh, bright flavor to the dish.
• Serve with a cooling dip: Serve the chicken wings with a cooling dip such as tzatziki, hummus, or ranch dressing to help balance out the heat and add more flavor to the dish.

Harissa Honey Chicken Recipe

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• Author: Maxine Dubois
• Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings 1x

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Description

This Harissa Honey Chicken (Air Fryer or Oven) is made with bone in chicken, harissa paste, honey, garlic, ginger and is baked to perfection.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 pounds bone-in chicken wings, drumsticks, or thighs
• 2 tbsp harissa paste
• 3 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped chives

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Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix the harissa, honey, ginger, and garlic and whisk together. Add the chicken inside the bowl and mix until coated. Please the chicken in the refrigerator and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Take the chicken out of the refrigerator until the chicken reaches room temperature.
3. For Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Add the chicken onto the prepared baking sheet and bake in the oven for 45-50 minutes, flipping once halfway.
4. For Air Fryer: Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Air Fry for 20 minutes, flipping once halfway. 

Notes

• Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes: Marinating the chicken in the harissa honey mixture for at least 30 minutes will allow the flavors to penetrate the meat and make it more tender and flavorful.
• Use quality chicken wings: Look for chicken wings that are plump, meaty, and have a good skin-to-meat ratio. Organic or free-range chicken wings can have better flavor and texture than conventionally raised chicken.
• Don't skimp on the harissa: The harissa is the star of this dish, so be sure to use a good quality harissa paste or make your own. The paste should be spicy, slightly sweet, and slightly smoky.
• Adjust the heat to your liking: If you're sensitive to spicy food, you can adjust the amount of harissa used in the recipe to your liking. You can also use a milder chili paste or omit the chili paste altogether and just use honey and other spices.
• Brush the chicken with glaze: Brush the chicken wings with the harissa honey glaze while cooking to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed and the chicken stays moist.
• Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the cooked chicken wings can help balance out the heat and add a fresh, bright flavor to the dish.
• Serve with a cooling dip: Serve the chicken wings with a cooling dip such as tzatziki, hummus, or ranch dressing to help balance out the heat and add more flavor to the dish.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Food safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.