Air Fryer Harissa Chicken

Name: Air Fryer Harissa Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 28 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Moroccan
Ingredients: 8 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on; 3 tablespoons harissa paste; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tablespoons olive oil; Juice of 1 lemon; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon salt; Fresh cilantro for garnish

Published: June 25, 2026 | Moroccan Cuisine | ⏱ 28 min

Spicy harissa chicken thighs from the air fryer

Air fryer harissa chicken delivers bold Moroccan flavour with minimal effort. Chicken thighs are marinated in a fiery harissa paste with garlic, lemon, and warm spices, then air fried until the skin is charred and the meat is unbelievably tender. Serve with couscous or flatbread to soak up the juices.

Recipe Info

Prep Time10 min

Cook Time18 min

Total Time28 min

Servings4

DifficultyEasy

CuisineMoroccan

8 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
3 tablespoons harissa paste
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
Fresh cilantro for garnish

2 Instructions

Marinate the chicken

Whisk together harissa paste, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, cumin, paprika, and salt. Coat chicken thighs thoroughly. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for deeper flavour.

Air fry

Preheat air fryer to 190°C (375°F). Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the basket in a single layer. Cook for 16-18 minutes, flipping halfway, until the skin is charred and the internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).

Rest and serve

Let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lemon wedges.

Pro Tips

Pat the chicken skin dry before marinating to help the skin crisp up better.
Do not overcrowd the basket. Cook in batches if needed for the crispiest skin.

Nutrition Information

Calories	340 kcal
Protein	28g
Fat	24g
Saturated Fat	6g
Carbohydrates	3g
Fiber	1g
Sugar	1g
Sodium	580mg

* Nutritional values are approximate and based on per-serving calculations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Use boneless skinless breasts and reduce cook time to 12-14 minutes, checking for an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).

Rating

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4.6 (109 votes)

About the Author

Stephanie Grine

Recipe Developer & Food Enthusiast

I am a passionate home cook who believes that great food brings people together. Every recipe on TodayFoodsMenu is developed, tested, and photographed in my home kitchen — not a professional test...

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