Pan-Seared Chicken with Spicy Harissa Chickpeas

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-26 · Updated 2026-04-26

Tender pan-seared chicken breast served alongside smoky, spicy harissa-coated chickpeas for a bold and flavorful meal. This Mediterranean-inspired Easter recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, harissa paste, canned chickpeas for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 2, 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.

Ingredients

• 2 pieces (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tbsp harissa paste
• 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed canned chickpeas
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp, divided salt
• 1/2 tsp, divided black pepper
• 1 tbsp, freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove chicken and let rest.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika. Sauté over medium heat for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed chickpeas to the skillet along with 2 tbsp harissa paste, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Stir to coat chickpeas evenly and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chickpeas are heated through and slightly crispy.
4. Step 4: Remove skillet from heat and stir in 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Serve the harissa chickpeas alongside the rested chicken breasts.