Spice Up Your Dinner with This Flavourful Hot Honey Harissa Chicken Rice Bowl

If you want to make your weeknight dinners exciting, look no further than this deliciously fresh and spicy Hot Honey Harissa Chicken Rice Bowl. This dish combines vibrant flavours that are sure to impress your family, all while being quick and easy to prepare. My daughter loves this What Molly Made recipe, to which I've made a few tiny tweaks. I am excited to share it with you, because I am sure you will love it too.

The Flavour Profile of Harissa

Harissa is a North African chili paste that really stands out. It's made from roasted red peppers, spices, and garlic, giving a fragrant and spicy kick to any meal. In this recipe, we use Rose Harissa, a milder version that also brings a hint of sweetness, making it perfect for both kids and adults.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

What makes this Harissa Chicken Rice Bowl unique is its flexibility. You can customize the toppings to your taste—add more veggies, swap out the chicken for chickpeas for a vegetarian option, or spice things up with extra herbs. This dish easily accommodates many dietary preferences and can be modified based on what you have available.

Hot Honey Harissa Chicken Rice Bowl - The Recipe

For the Chicken Marinade

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts - cut into chunks

• 2 tbsp olive oil - divided

• 2 tbsp Rose Harissa paste

• 1 tbsp honey

• Juice from 1/2 a lemon

• 2 cloves garlic - minced

• 1 tsp flaky sea salt

• 1/4 tsp black pepper

  
  

For the Harissa Vinaigrette

• 1/4 cup good quality extra virgin olive oil

• 2 tbsp Rose Harissa paste

• 2 tbsp lemon juice (from 1/2 lemon)

• 1/2 tsp garlic salt

• 1 tsp flaky salt

  
  

Bowl and Toppings

• 2 cups cooked Basmati rice

• Mixed salad greens

• 1 ripe avocado - sliced

• Crumbled feta

• Hummus

• Pita chips, pita bread, or naan for serving

  
  

For the Quick Pickled Onions

• 1 red onion - sliced

• 3 tsp flaky sea salt (helps draw out moisture for the pickling liquid)

• 1 tsp sugar

• 1/2 cup cider vinegar

  
  

For the Marinated Cucumbers and Tomatoes

• 1 cup diced cucumber

• 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 1/4 cup cider vinegar

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• Pinch of salt

• Freshly chopped dill

  
  

How to Prepare the Harissa Chicken

Begin by marinating the chicken. In a bowl, mix the olive oil, Rose Harissa, honey, lemon juice, minced garlic, flaky sea salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken chunks, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes; if you can, a few hours will deepen the flavours.

Making the Quick Pickled Onions

While your chicken marinates, prepare the quick pickled onions. In a bowl, combine the sliced red onion, flaky sea salt, and sugar. Pour cider vinegar over the onions until they’re submerged. Let them sit for 20-30 minutes. This quick pickling will add a delicious tanginess to your bowl!

Marinating the Cucumbers and Tomatoes

In another bowl, mix the diced cucumber and halved cherry tomatoes with olive oil, cider vinegar, Italian seasoning, a pinch of salt, and fresh dill. Let this marinate for about the same time as the onions to allow the flavours to blend nicely.

Cooking the Chicken

Once the chicken has marinated, it’s time to cook. Preheat your skillet over medium-high heat and add a little olive oil. After the oil heats up, add in the marinated chicken chunks. Cook them for 6-8 minutes until they are browned and fully cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.

Preparing the Harissa Vinaigrette

In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, Rose Harissa paste, lemon juice, garlic salt, and flaky salt. This vibrant vinaigrette is perfect to dress your rice bowl, adding yet another layer of flavour.

Assembling the Bowl

Now, let’s put together your Harissa Chicken Rice Bowl! Start with a generous scoop of cooked Basmati rice as your base. Top it with the sautéed chicken, mixed salad greens, sliced avocado, crumbled feta, and a dollop of hummus.

Be sure to add the quick-pickled onions and marinated cucumbers and tomatoes to introduce a zesty crunch to your meal.

Final Touches

Drizzle the Harissa vinaigrette over the top, and for a splash of colour and taste, include a few pita chips or warm pita bread on the side. This dish not only satisfies the taste buds but also creates a visually stunning meal, making it great for impressing dinner guests or enjoying a cosy night in!