Easy One-Pot Harissa Chicken and Lentils (High-Protein Meal)

There is something incredibly special about a dinner that feels sophisticated enough for a dinner party but takes less than an hour to pull together. This One-Pot Harissa Chicken and Lentils is a vibrant, smoky masterpiece that fills your entire home with a warm and spicy aroma. By simmering tender chicken and earthy Puy lentils together in a rich tomato broth infused with harissa, you create a deeply flavorful stew that is the very essence of cozy comfort food. It is a bold, soul-warming meal that manages to be both hearty and refined without leaving you with a sink full of dishes.

The beauty of this recipe lies in how much complexity it develops in just forty-five minutes. The lentils soak up all the spicy, fragrant notes of the harissa while the chicken stays juicy and tender, resulting in a protein-packed meal that is as healthy as it is satisfying. This is without a doubt the most impressive way to save a busy weeknight, proving that you do not need hours of prep to serve a meal with world-class flavor. It is a one-pot wonder that you will find yourself coming back to whenever you need a dinner that truly hits the spot.

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Why This Harissa Chicken is an Absolute Must-Make

You are going to be completely amazed by the incredible, complex flavor you can achieve in such a short time. This dish is a true kitchen champion. Here’s why:

• A One-Pot Wonder: From sautéing the aromatics to simmering the final stew, everything happens in a single pot, which means incredible flavor development and minimal cleanup.
• High-Protein and Incredibly Satisfying: Packed with lean protein from chicken and plant-based protein and fiber from lentils, this is a hearty, satisfying meal that will keep you full for hours.
• Deep, Complex Flavor, Made Easy: Harissa paste is the secret weapon! It provides an instant, complex base of smoky, spicy, and peppery flavor without needing a dozen different spices.
• A 45-Minute Restaurant-Quality Meal: This dish tastes like it came from a fancy Mediterranean restaurant but is surprisingly quick and simple enough for a busy weeknight.
• Healthy, Hearty, and Comforting: It’s the perfect combination of a nourishing, healthy meal and a deeply satisfying, cozy bowl of comfort food.

Recipe Snapshot

Your Shopping List for This Flavorful Stew

This impressive dinner comes together with a beautiful array of wholesome and powerful pantry staples.

→ For the Harissa Chicken and Lentils

• 1 tbsp olive oil → To create our flavorful base.
• 1 red onion & 1 garlic clove → The essential aromatic foundation.
• 50g harissa paste → The star of the show! This North African chili paste provides a smoky, spicy, and incredibly deep flavor.
• 500g boneless, skinless chicken thighs → Chopped into bite-sized pieces. They stay incredibly moist and tender.
• 1 medium carrot → Grated, it adds a subtle sweetness and melts into the stew.
• 200g dried Puy lentils → These small, dark lentils hold their shape beautifully and have a wonderful, earthy flavor.
• 2 x 400g cans (800g total) chopped tomatoes → The rich, savory base of our stew.
• 1.2 liters chicken stock → The flavorful liquid that brings everything together.
• Salt and pepper → To season everything perfectly at the end.

Let’s Get Cooking! Your One-Pot Guide

Ready for the coziest, most flavorful stew of your life? Grab your favorite pot and let’s go!

Part 1: Build the Flavor Base

1. Sauté the Aromatics: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, warm the olive oil over low heat. Add the chopped onion and cook gently for 5-6 minutes, until softened and translucent. Add the crushed garlic and cook, stirring, for one minute more until fragrant.
2. Bloom the Harissa: Stir in the harissa paste and cook for another minute. This step, called “blooming,” toasts the spices in the paste and deepens their flavor.
3. Brown the Chicken: Add the chopped chicken thighs to the pot. Increase the heat slightly and cook until the chicken is browned on all sides, soaking up all that delicious harissa flavor.

Part 2: Simmer to Perfection

4. Combine and Simmer: Add the grated carrot, lentils, chopped tomatoes, and chicken stock to the pot. Stir everything together and ensure the chicken and lentils are fully submerged in the liquid.
5. The Slow Simmer: Keeping the heat on low, let the dish cook, uncovered, for about 35-45 minutes. Stir occasionally. The stew is ready when the chicken is completely cooked through, the lentils are tender, and they have absorbed most of the stock, creating a thick, hearty stew.
6. Season and Serve: Season the finished stew with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle the hot, hearty stew into bowls and serve immediately. This is wonderful with a dollop of yogurt and some fresh cilantro!

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One-Pot Harissa Chicken and Lentils

This one-pot Harissa Chicken and Lentils is a healthy, high-protein comfort food dream, ready in 45 minutes! Tender chicken and earthy Puy lentils are simmered in a smoky, spicy, and vibrant harissa-tomato broth. A perfect, easy weeknight dinner.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Dinner, Main Course, Stew

Cuisine: American, North African-Inspired

Calories: 580

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 red onion chopped
• 1 clove garlic crushed
• 50 g harissa paste
• 500 g chicken thighs skinless, boneless, and chopped
• 1 medium carrot grated
• 200 g dried puy lentils
• 800 g chopped tomatoes (2 x 400g cans)
• 1.2 l chicken stock
• to taste Salt and pepper

Equipment

• Large Saucepan or Pot
• Knife
• Cutting Board

Method

 

1. In a large saucepan or pot, warm the oil over low heat. Add the chopped onion and fry until softened, approximately 5-6 minutes. Add the crushed garlic and cook, stirring, for about a minute more.
2. Stir in the harissa paste, followed by the chopped chicken thighs. Increase heat and cook until the chicken is browned.
3. Add in the grated carrot, lentils, chopped tomatoes, and chicken stock. Ensure the stock completely covers the chicken and lentils.
4. Keeping the heat on low, cook the dish uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the lentils have absorbed the stock, approximately 35-45 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve hot.

Notes

Lentil Choice: Puy lentils (or French green lentils) are recommended as they hold their shape well. Brown or green lentils can be substituted but may become softer.

Bloom the Harissa: Frying the harissa paste for a minute with the aromatics before adding other ingredients helps to deepen its smoky flavor.

Finishing Touch: This stew is delicious served with a dollop of cool, plain yogurt and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro or parsley to balance the spice.

WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for a Perfect Stew

These simple secrets will ensure your one-pot meal is a flawless, flavorful triumph.

1. Puy Lentils are Worth It. While other lentils work, Puy lentils (or French green lentils) are fantastic here because they hold their shape when cooked, providing a wonderful, firm texture rather than turning to mush.
2. Bloom Your Harissa. Taking that extra minute to fry the harissa paste with the aromatics before adding the other ingredients is a key step. It toasts the spices within the paste and unlocks a much deeper, smokier, and more complex flavor.

Keep It Cozy! Storing and Reheating

This stew is a meal prepper’s dream, as the flavors get even deeper and more delicious the next day.

• Refrigerator: Once cooled, store the stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The lentils will continue to absorb liquid, so the stew will become even thicker.
• Reheating: Reheat gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat. You will likely need to add a splash of chicken stock or water to loosen the stew back to your desired consistency as it warms up.
• Freezer: This stew freezes beautifully! Let it cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers. It will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

FAQs: Your Harissa Chicken Questions, Answered!

What is harissa paste? Is it very spicy?

Harissa is a hot chili pepper paste that’s a staple in North African cooking. Its flavor is smoky, peppery, and complex. The heat level can vary dramatically from brand to brand, from mild to very hot. Start with the amount in the recipe, and you can always add more at the end if you like more spice!

Can I make this with chicken breasts?

You can, but chicken thighs are highly recommended for the best flavor and texture in a long-simmered dish. If you use chicken breasts, they may become slightly drier. You could reduce the simmer time by about 10 minutes.

Can I make this vegetarian or vegan?

Yes, absolutely! To make it vegetarian, simply omit the chicken and use vegetable stock. You can add an extra can of chickpeas along with the lentils to make it just as hearty. This will also make the recipe vegan.

What are Puy lentils and can I substitute them?

Puy lentils are small, dark, speckled green-blue lentils from the Le Puy region of France. They’re prized for their peppery flavor and for holding their shape well. If you can’t find them, regular brown or green lentils are the next best substitute, though they may cook a bit faster and become softer.

Final Thoughts: The Ultimate One-Pot Comfort Meal

There is nothing more satisfying than a hearty, one-pot meal that is packed with flavor, loaded with protein, and comes together with minimal fuss. This Harissa Chicken and Lentils is a perfect example of a dish that feels both exotic and deeply comforting. It’s a meal that will warm you from the inside out, and I hope it becomes a new favorite in your home. Happy Cooking!