Chicken and Harissa Paste
Harissa chicken pasta is a super flavorful dish that’s just perfect for a weeknight dinner. It’s a great way to spice up your usual chicken pasta dish, and you can have it on the table in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds)
- 1/4 cup Harissa paste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tbsp cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
- 340 Grams pasta (such as penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
- Extra olive oil and Harissa paste for the pasta
- Parmesan cheese, grated (optional for serving)
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken
- In a mixing bowl, combine the Harissa paste, olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir to blend the ingredients thoroughly.
- Place the chicken breasts in the marinade, ensuring each piece is well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, though several hours or overnight is ideal for deeper flavor infusion.
Cook Pasta:
- While the chicken is marinating, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving some of the pasta water.
- Toss the cooked pasta with a little olive oil and a spoonful of Harissa paste to add flavor, using reserved pasta water as needed to create a light sauce.
Preheat the Grill or Oven:
- If grilling, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. For oven cooking, preheat to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the Chicken:
- If grilling, place the chicken on the grill and cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and has nice grill marks.
- If baking, place the chicken in a baking dish and cook in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
Combine Chicken and Pasta
- Once the chicken is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. This helps retain the juices and flavors.
- Slice the chicken and toss it together with the Harissa-flavored pasta, mixing well to distribute the flavors.