Harissa Chicken Meatballs with Couscous and Cucumber Herb Salad
Tender, juicy chicken meatballs flavored with harissa paste bring warmth and depth, paired with light couscous and a refreshing cucumber herb salad. It’s a wholesome, colorful dish — spicy, savory, and fresh all in one bowl.
⏱ Time
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minute
Total time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
For the Chicken Meatballs:
1 lb (450 g) ground chicken
2 tbsp harissa paste (adjust to spice level)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for gluten-free)
1 egg
2 tbsp fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
1/2 tsp cumin
Salt & black pepper, to taste
1 tbsp olive oil (for pan-frying)
For the Couscous:
1 cup couscous
1 cup chicken broth (or water)
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
For the Cucumber Herb Salad:
1 large cucumber, diced
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt & black pepper, to taste
Optional Garnishes:
Yogurt or tzatziki sauce
Extra lemon wedges
Instructions
1. Make the meatballs
In a bowl, mix ground chicken, harissa paste, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Roll into small meatballs (about 1–1.5 inch).
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook meatballs 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
2. Prepare couscous
Bring broth to a boil with olive oil and salt.
Remove from heat, stir in couscous, cover, and let steam for 5 minutes.
Fluff with a fork before serving.
3. Make cucumber herb salad
Combine cucumber, red onion, parsley, mint, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Toss well.
4. Assemble bowls
Add a scoop of couscous, top with harissa meatballs, and serve with cucumber herb salad on the side.
Add a dollop of yogurt or tzatziki for creaminess.
Notes & Tips
Adjust harissa paste to your spice tolerance — 1 tbsp for mild, 3 tbsp for fiery.
Meatballs can be baked at 200°C (400°F) for 18–20 minutes if you prefer.
Couscous can be swapped with bulgur or quinoa.
Nutrition information
Calories: 470 kcal
Protein: 31g
Carbs: 40g
Fat: 20g
Fiber: 5g