Air-Fryer Harissa Chicken Couscous Trays

AF-200 Crew Recipe

Air-Fryer Harissa Chicken Couscous Trays

Some dinners manage to feel both comforting and fresh at the same time. This one does exactly that. Smoky harissa chicken, fluffy lemon couscous, roasted peppers and sweet red onions all come together with a cooling garlic yoghurt drizzle to create a tray packed with North African-inspired flavour. Bold spices, fresh herbs and juicy chicken make every forkful worth going back for. Fast to cook. Even faster to disappear.

Air-Fryer Harissa Chicken Couscous Trays
Air-Fryer Harissa Chicken Couscous Trays preparation stage

You’ll Need

For the Chicken
600g chicken thigh fillets, cut into bite-sized chunks
1 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp harissa paste, 1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic granules, 1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp sea salt, ½ tsp black pepper

For the Tray
1 red pepper, sliced
1 yellow pepper, sliced, 1 large red onion, sliced
250g couscous, 300ml hot chicken stock, Juice of ½ lemon, 1 tbsp olive oil

Garlic Yoghurt
150g Greek yoghurt
1 garlic clove, finely grated
Juice of ½ lemon
1 tbsp chopped fresh mint

Pinch of sea salt

To Finish

Fresh coriander

Fresh mint

Lemon wedges

Optional but Dangerous

Crumbled feta

Toasted flaked almonds

Chilli flakes

Hummus

Warm flatbreads

Method

Preheat your air fryer to 200°C.

Mix together the olive oil, harissa paste, smoked paprika, garlic granules, cumin, salt and black pepper.

Coat the chicken thoroughly in the harissa mixture.

Place the chicken, peppers and red onion into the air fryer basket.

Air fry for 12–14 minutes, shaking halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through with lightly charred edges.

Meanwhile, place the couscous into a large bowl.

Pour over the hot chicken stock, lemon juice and olive oil. Cover and leave for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.

Mix together the Greek yoghurt, garlic, lemon juice, mint and salt until smooth.

Spoon the couscous into serving trays or bowls.

Top with the harissa chicken and roasted vegetables.

Finish with the garlic yoghurt, chopped coriander, fresh mint and lemon wedges.

Serve immediately while everything is hot and full of smoky spice.

Lad Tip: Harissa pastes vary wildly in strength. Start with 2 tablespoons, taste after cooking, and add a little extra at the table if you want more heat. It's far easier to build the spice than rescue an overpowered tray.

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