Harissa chicken meatballs with couscous and cucumber herb salad
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