An easy Harissa chicken recipe made in the slow cooker or Instant Pot made with just two ingredients plus spices! So versatile for bowls, meal prep, etc.
Harissa Chicken
I created this shredded harissa chicken recipe one day almost by accident. I had a jar of harissa and some chicken breast, and threw it in the slow cooker. The results were lovely and such an easy dinner idea! I love it with rice, chickpeas or cauliflower rice (pictured above) plus cucumbers and tzatziki on the side. Tommy loves it gyro style on a pocket-less or pita or naan with tzatziki!
What is Harissa?
Harissa is a traditional accompaniment with Moroccan and North African food. It’s as popular to them as ketchup and mustard is to us here in the states. You can serve it with everything from eggs, burgers, couscous, soups and more.
To make this super fast and easy, I used Mina Harissa (I love this stuff!). I buy the mild one, which is mild enough that even my eight year old loves this chicken too! But they also sell a spicy one if you like it spicy.
How To Make Harissa Chicken
See printable instructions in the recipe card below:
Slow Cooker Directions:
- Season the chicken with the cumin, garlic powder, pinch of salt, and pepper.
- Place chicken in a slow cooker, pour the harissa over the chicken, and cover. Cook on HIGH for 2 hours or LOW 4 hours.
- Remove chicken from the slow cooker and shred with two forks.
How to make Harissa:
If you can’t find Harissa, you can easily make it yourself. This is my favorite method, it’s so good you’ll want to drink it!
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 large cloves garlic, peeled
- 12 ounce jar roasted peppers in water, drained
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, more or less to your taste
Sauté the garlic in oil until golden and fragrant then combine with the remaining ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve room temperature. See below for the chicken recipe!
More easy crock pot recipes:
Harrisa Chicken Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 cup mild Harissa sauce, I like Mina
- optional, serve with Tzatziki
Instructions
Slow Cooker Directions:
- Season the chicken with the cumin, garlic powder, pinch of salt, and pepper.
- Place chicken in a slow cooker, pour the harissa over the chicken, and cover. Cook on HIGH for 2 hours or LOW 4 hours.
- Remove chicken from the slow cooker and shred with two forks.
Pressure Cooker Directions:
- Season the chicken with the cumin, garlic powder, pinch of salt, and pepper.
- Place chicken in the pressure cooker, pour the harissa over the chicken and cook high pressure 20 minutes. Quick or natural release then shred with two forks. If using frozen chicken breasts, cook 25 minutes.
