Harissa bil Djaj (Libyan Chicken Harissa)
Harissa bil djaj is a flavorful and aromatic Libyan chicken dish. It features tender chicken pieces simmered in a rich and spicy tomato sauce, infused with a blend of aromatic spices. This dish is known for its bold flavors and is often served with bread or couscous, making it a satisfying and comforting meal.
- Prep
- 27 min
- Cook
- 1 hr 4 min
- Total
- 1 hr 31 min
- Servings
- As written in source
- Difficulty
- Advanced
Timings are approximate — worked out from the method, not measured in a test kitchen.
Ingredients
Quantities are retained as written by the source and do not scale automatically. Tap an ingredient to check it off as you go.
Cooking instructions
Equipment
Large pot or Dutch oven with a lid
Equipment
Wooden spoon or spatula
Equipment
Knife
Procedure
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Procedure
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
Procedure
Add the chicken pieces to the pot and brown them on all sides.
Procedure
Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, harissa paste, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, coriander, caraway seeds, salt, and pepper. Mix well to coat the chicken with the spices.
Procedure
Pour in the water or chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
Procedure
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let simmer for about 1 hour, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Procedure
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Procedure
Serve the hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley. Accompany with bread or couscous to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Notes, tips, and variations
Harissa paste is a spicy chili paste commonly used in North African cuisine. Adjust the amount according to your desired level of heat.
Notes, tips, and variations
Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers or carrots to the dish for added flavor and texture.
Notes, tips, and variations
For a richer sauce, you can add a dollop of butter or a drizzle of olive oil before serving.
Notes, tips, and variations
Allow the dish to rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
Notes, tips, and variations
Substitute the chicken with other meats such as beef or lamb for a different flavor experience.
Notes, tips, and variations
Customize the spice blend by adding other spices such as cinnamon or ginger for a unique twist.
Photo: Lekhashree G · CC BY-SA 4.0 · https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 · Photo source and licence
Wikibooks contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ · Adapted; quantities retained as written. · Original source
Read it through first
Skim all 17 steps before you start — it is the difference between cooking and firefighting.
Scale it
Use the quantities listed in the original recipe. Adjust them manually if making a different batch size.
Storage
Cool completely, then keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
Reheating
Reheat gently with a splash of water in a covered pan, rather than blasting it, so nothing dries out.
Approximate values per serving. Worked out from the ingredient list — treat them as a guide, not a measurement.
Reviews
No reviews yet. If you cook this, come back and tell everyone how it went.
