A no-fuss take on a North African dish

Name: A no-fuss take on a North African dish (Moroccan Harissa Chicken with Burghul Pillav)
Cuisine: Moroccan
Ingredients: 6 chicken thighs (preferably with skin and on the bone for extra flavour but skinless and boneless will do as well); 3-4 tbsp oil, for searing the chicken; 3-4 tbsp oil, for searing the chicken; Jajeek and pickles, to serve; Jajeek and pickles, to serve; Drizzle of olive oil; Juice of ½ lemon; ¼ tsp ground turmeric; ½ tsp sumac; ½ tsp paprika; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp black pepper; ½ tsp chilli powder; 1 tsp ground coriander; 1½ tsp freshly minced garlic or garlic paste; 1½ tsp freshly minced garlic or garlic paste; 1½ tbsp harissa spice mix; 1 tbsp butter; 1 small onion, diced; 2 tbsp tomato purée (paste); 2 tbsp tomato purée (paste); 1 tbsp Turkish red pepper paste (biber salcasi), or 1½ tsp sweet paprika mixed with 1 tsp water; 1 tbsp Turkish red pepper paste (biber salcasi), or 1½ tsp sweet paprika mixed with 1 tsp water; 1 tbsp Turkish red pepper paste (biber salcasi), or 1½ tsp sweet paprika mixed with 1 tsp water; 1 tbsp Turkish red pepper paste (biber salcasi), or 1½ tsp sweet paprika mixed with 1 tsp water; 2 tomatoes, chopped; ½ tsp ground cumin; ¼ tsp Baharat spice mix; 1 tsp chicken seasoning powder (such as Aromat)

Moroccan Harissa Chicken with Burghul Pillav

Preparation info

Serves
4
, with leftovers

Difficulty
Easy

Appears in

The Red Sea Cookbook

By Madeeha Qureshi

Published 2026

About

This is a true one-pot wonder. It’s the perfect choice when I haven’t got a clue what to rustle up for a mid-week meal and I’m running short on time with five hungry bellies to feed.

This is a quick-fix version of a classic harissa chicken that hails from North Africa but is equally loved throughout the Middle East, and is now my family’s fave recipe. It takes minimal effort and suits a tight budget since it uses all storecupboard ingredients. Ideal for meal preps and packed lunches

Ingredients

Africa
Morocco
Saudi Arabia
Main course
Lunch
Gluten-free

Ingredients

Method