Harissa chicken wings are a twist on the classic game day eats! Chicken wings baked to perfection and tossed in a harissa butter sauce.

It has been a little while since I shared a chicken wing recipe. To be honest, I’ve had a hard time coming up with a different version since I have already shared so many. You know like the salt and pepper wings, sriracha wings, sweet thai chili wings, cajun wings and the spicy honey mustard wings just to name a few.

Harissa chicken wings are a twist on the classic game day eats! Chicken wings baked to perfection and tossed in a harissa butter sauce.

But alas, I’ve come up with a flavor that I haven’t used before: Harissa. Ever heard of it? I hope so. If not, you’ve been missing out. It’s ok though because I’m here to right that wrong with these Harissa Chicken Wings.

If you have never heard of harissa it is a Northwest African Chili Paste. I first used it a few years ago with some lamb and it was SO good (Note to self: Make again ASAP and share with your friends on the blog). You can find it in well stocked grocery stores and specialty markets. I found mine at Whole Foods. Or if you’ve got the time you can make your own by following this recipe from Saveur.

Whatever you do though please get your little mits on it. Just like any other hot sauce, you can add it to all kinds of dishes to spice things up. It’s great on burgers, falafel, stir fries and of course wings.  For these wings, I used it like a traditional wing sauce. Read: butter.

Glorious butter.

But unlike traditional wings, these are baked not fried so it all evens out.

That’s my story anyway and yes, I’m sticking to it.

Harissa is spicy, it is after all a chili paste, so these aren’t for the faint of heart. However, the creamy cilantro yogurt dip does cool things off nicely.

Harissa chicken wings are a twist on the classic game day eats! Chicken wings baked to perfection and tossed in a harissa butter sauce.

Harissa Chicken Wings
4h 5m
Prep
30m
Cook
4h 35m
Total

Servings

2

Ingredients

Harissa Chicken Wing Ingredients:
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 pounds party wings
  • 1/2 cup harissa chili paste
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
Cilantro Yogurt Dip Ingredients:
  • 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon cilantro

Instructions

  1. Whisk together lemon juice, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, salt and cinnamon. Add in wings and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
  2. Make the yogurt sauce by whisking all ingredients together. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  4. Place chicken wings on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Turn and bake for another 15 minutes or until crispy and cooked through.
  5. In a saucepan over medium heat combine harissa and butter. Cook until butter has melted.
  6. Place cooked wings in a large mixing bowl. Pour harissa sauce over the top and toss to coat. {Note: works best if you use a mixing bowl with a lid because then you can shake them to coat them. } Serve with cilantro yogurt sauce.
Rate this recipe:
Deseree

Whether it is cooking it, eating it, shopping for it or watching TV about it, food is one of my favorite things.

14 Reviews

  1. 21 de las mejores recetas de alitas de pollo para la reunión del día del juego – Comida La Treinta October 7, 2022

    […] la receta en Life’s Ambrosia […]

  2. 21 of the Best Chicken Wing Recipes for Your Game Day Get-Together - giatriviet December 21, 2018

    […] You’ll find the recipe on Life’s Ambrosia. […]

  3. Deseree April 11, 2018

    Good to know! Thank yoU!

  4. Carol April 11, 2018

    Trader Joe’s sells Harissa at a great price.

  5. Spices To Warm You Up | November 8, 2017

    […] Harissa Chicken Wings […]

  6. Spices To Warm You Up – Dr. Humaira Q November 8, 2017

    […] Harissa Chicken Wings […]

  7. 50 Chicken Wings Recipes (A Roundup!) - Eat The Love February 1, 2016

    […] Peach Chipotle Chicken Wings Eat the Love’s BBQ Chicken Wings Life Ambrosia’s Harissa Chicken Wings Boulder Locavore’s Wild Rice Sumac Cayenne Wings Craving’s of Lunatic’s Root Beer […]

  8. 20 Far-From-Basic Chicken Wings for Game Day - Killing Thyme Eat-Zine January 15, 2016

    […] Harissa Chicken Wings from Life Ambrosia […]

  9. GiGi Eats Celebrities January 29, 2015

    I am sooo making this with chicken breast.. I am a breast girl ;)

  10. Sharon January 9, 2015

    These wings look so good! Definitely perfect for football!

  11. Melanie | Melanie Makes January 9, 2015

    Such gorgeous photos – I’d have these on my game day menu, pronto!

  12. Toni Dash January 9, 2015

    Big Game or not these are irresistible! The flavors could not be better. And your list of other wing recipes? I’m now so hungry…..

  13. Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) January 9, 2015

    I’m not really into football (I like it and everything, just not crazy over it) but the one thing I love about football season is the overabundance of wings! They always look so amazing and this version looks unreal!

  14. Rachel @ Baked by Rachel January 9, 2015

    Wings are such a classic game day food. Totally love this version!!

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