Easy Air Fryer Harissa Chicken – Breast or Thighs

If you’ve never tried this flavorful red pepper sauce…now is the time! Enjoy this simple and delicious harissa marinade for air fryer harissa chicken.

For another meal idea with harissa chicken, check out my copycat recipe for Cava’s harissa avocado bowls!

Air fryer harissa chicken marinade ingredients

Chicken

I love this marinade for chicken breasts as well as chicken thighs. Sometimes I like to cube the chicken into bite sized pieces so they can soak up more flavor! I bet this would also be delicious on drumsticks or chicken wings too!

Harissa Seasoning

I love using the Whole Foods brand Harissa Seasoning. If you’re interested in creating a homemade seasoning from scratch, you could simply mix the ingredients found in the blend – paprika, caraway seeds, chile flakes, cayenne pepper, coriander, cumin, and garlic. However…I choose to save time here and buy harissa seasoning pre-made.

Harissa Sauce

This is another ingredient that I prefer to buy pre-made for efficiency. My favorite harissa sauce is the Spicy Harissa by Mina! While I don’t personally find the spice overwhelming, there is a mild option if you prefer.

Lemon Juice

Salt

Instructions

Mix all of the marinade ingredients with the chicken and refrigerate in an airtight container or bag for at least 30 minutes. Marinating is not necessary…but it sure is worth it!

I like to break this up into 2 batches in my Ninja Foodi air fryer so that there is space between the pieces of chicken. I pre-heat my air fryer to 400F for 5 minutes before adding the chicken. Set the timer for 10 minutes and try to mix the pieces around after about 5 minutes. After 10 minutes, I use a food thermometer to make sure the internal temperature has reached 165F.

Use Air Fryer Harissa Chicken in a Balanced Meal

Balanced Meal Inspo

  • Protein: air fried harissa chicken
  • Grain/starchy veggie: quinoa
  • Color: roasted cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots
  • Flavor: harissa sauce, lemon yogurt sauce (omit dill)

Air Fryer Harissa Chicken Thighs

Print Recipe
air fryer harissa chicken

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 tbsp harissa seasoning
  • 1/4 cup mild harissa sauce
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • 0.75 tsp salt or to taste

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl or gallon ziploc and mix to evenly coat
  • Marinate in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes
  • Pre-heat air fryer: Set to 400F for ~3-5 minutes
  • Drain chicken thighs of excess marinade and air fry in a single layer at 400F for ~5 minutes per side
    *Timing will depend on your air fryer – chicken is done when internal temperature reaches 165F

Notes

Nutrition facts will vary depending on exact items and amounts used. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 174kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 129mg | Sodium: 533mg | Potassium: 354mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 54IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg
Servings: 5 servings
Calories: 174kcal

Air Fryer Harissa Chicken Breast

Print Recipe
air fryer harissa chicken

Ingredients

  • 1-1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken breast I used 2 pieces
  • 0.75 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1 tbsp harissa seasoning
  • 0.25 cup mina harissa sauce spicy or mild
  • 1 lemon juiced

Instructions

  • Cube chicken breast into bite sized pieces – or use whole chicken breasts…timing may be different!
  • Add all ingredients to a medium sized bowl and combine well
  • Cover bowl or transfer to air tight container or bag. Marinate in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or a couple of hours)
  • Pre-heat air fryer to 400F for 5 minutes
  • Add chicken to air fryer basket in a single layer
    I like to do 2 batches of this recipe in my air fryer
  • Air fry for ~10 minutes, flipping/shaking chicken pieces around 5 minutes
    After 10 minutes, check to be sure internal temperature has reached 165F
  • Serve with roasted vegetables and a grain, such as quinoa, for a balanced meal.
    I like to top my chicken with additional harissa sauce and a drizzle of my lemon yogurt sauce (omit dill for this recipe).

Notes

Nutrition facts will vary with specific ingredients and amounts used.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 145kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 646mg | Potassium: 446mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 60IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.5mg
Servings: 4
Calories: 145kcal
Author: Olivia Goldin