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Ingredients (Serves 2)

• 2 skin on, bone in chicken thighs
• 1/2 cup white rice
• Olive oil
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp harissa
• 1/2 lemon
• 1 lime
• 3 oz fresh cilantro
• Honey
• Black pepper
• Coriander
• Shallot salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Rinse the rice until the water is clear, then add 1:2 ratio of rice and water to a pot or rice cooker, boil, and then let cool
3. Chop 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro and cut the lime in half
4. Heat a medium size pan on a setting between medium and low heat, add olive oil
5. Heat a small saucepan on low heat
6. Season the chicken thighs in a separate container or bowl with the shallot salt, black pepper, and coriander
7. Place both thighs into the heated pan and let the skin get crispy and golden
8. While the thighs cook, add the butter to the saucepan and let melt
9. Add the juice of the lemon, harissa, and honey to the saucepan, stir, and let simmer
10. Scoop the rice into a bowl and add the chopped cilantro, juice of the whole lime, and shallot salt, mix well, and set aside
11. Add the harissa sauce mixture onto the chicken thighs, and cook for 5 minutes on each side, but leave a little in the saucepan
12. Transfer the thighs to a baking sheet and add the rest of the sauce, placing the pans into the oven and cook for 15 minutes
13. When time is up, remove the thighs from the oven and place back onto the pan for one last sear on both sides
14. Add the rice to a plate, set the chicken on top, garnish with remaining cilantro, and serve

This is one of my favorite dinner combos – you can easily increase the ingredients for a Mediterranean inspired feast for you and your friends. I use this recipe for both, and it’s a great way to meal prep with some flavor diversity throughout the week!

You can also opt to not put the thighs back on the pan after they bake, and it will have a softer skin. The harissa, lemon, and honey bring out the juicy flavors of the chicken, and the coriander and cilantro complement it with a cooling effect. I would pair this dish with a refreshing pomegranate brussels sprout salad.

Enjoy this savory and delicious chicken at the end of a long day or in a fun gathering with your favorite people!