Spicy Harissa Lamb Chops with Cucumber Salad

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-19 · Updated 2026-04-19

Tender lamb chops coated in smoky harissa and served with a refreshing cucumber salad. This middle eastern-inspired grilling ready in about 30 minutes pairs (1.2 lbs, 1 inch thick) lamb loin chops, harissa paste, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Ingredients

• 4 (1.2 lbs, 1 inch thick) lamb loin chops
• 2 tbsp harissa paste
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 medium, peeled and diced cucumber
• 1/4 cup, thinly sliced red onion
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh mint
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk 2 tbsp harissa paste, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to form a marinade.
2. Step 2: Place 4 lamb loin chops (1.2 lbs) in a dish and coat evenly with the harissa marinade. Let rest at room temperature for 15 minutes.
3. Step 3: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook lamb chops for 4-5 minutes per side until medium-rare (135°F internal), then rest for 5 minutes.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, combine 2 diced cucumbers, 1/4 cup sliced red onion, 2 tbsp fresh mint, 2 tbsp fresh dill, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Toss to combine and serve alongside lamb chops.