Harissa-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Lemon and Olives

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken thighs coated in spicy harissa glaze, finished with bright lemon and briny olives for balanced flavor. This north african-inspired chicken ready in about 45 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, harissa paste, zested and juiced lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 North African cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Place chicken skin-side down in skillet and cook for 7 minutes until golden brown and skin is crisp. Flip and cook 5 minutes more.
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken from skillet and set aside. Add 2 tbsp harissa paste to skillet, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Return chicken to skillet, nestling pieces into the sauce. Add 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 cup pitted green olives, and 1/4 cup chopped parsley. Spoon sauce over chicken.
  5. Step 5: Transfer skillet to oven and bake at 400°F for 12 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internally. Rest 5 minutes before serving, spooning pan sauce over top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Harissa-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Lemon and Olives take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (10 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Harissa-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Lemon and Olives?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep harissa paste from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Harissa-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Lemon and Olives?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Harissa-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Lemon and Olives for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Harissa-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Lemon and Olives?

North African chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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