Harissa Honey Chicken Wings

Harissa Honey Chicken Wings are the ultimate crowd-pleaser. With a perfect balance of sweetness, heat, and savoury depth, these wings are irresistible. Whether you’re serving them at a party or enjoying a quiet night in, this four-ingredient recipe delivers bold flavours with minimal effort. The combination of smoky harissa, fragrant spices, and caramelised honey creates a glaze that coats each wing beautifully, making them finger-licking good.

If you love effortless recipes that still feel indulgent, Harissa Honey Chicken Wings will become a staple in your kitchen. 

Table of Contents

• Ingredient Breakdown
• Choosing the Best Chicken Wings for Roasting
• Mastering the Harissa Honey Glaze
• Getting the Perfect Texture: Crispy Yet Succulent
• Choosing the Right Harissa
• More Ways to Enjoy Harissa Honey Chicken Wings
• More Wing Recipes

Ingredient Breakdown

• Chicken wings: The perfect cut for soaking up bold flavours while staying juicy and tender. Halving them at the joint makes them easier to eat and helps them cook evenly.
• Harissa paste: A North African chilli paste made from roasted red peppers, spices, and herbs. It adds depth, smokiness, and a touch of heat.
• Harissa spice powder: A concentrated blend of dried spices, adding an extra layer of warmth and complexity.
• Honey: The natural sweetness balances the heat from the harissa and creates a sticky, glossy finish when caramelised.

Choosing the Best Chicken Wings for Roasting

Not all chicken wings are created equal, and the type you choose will affect the outcome of your Harissa Honey Chicken Wings . The best wings have the right balance of meat, fat, and skin, ensuring they cook evenly and remain juicy.

Look for wings that have:

• A good meat-to-fat ratio: Too much fat leads to excess grease, while too little means dry, tough wings.
• Firm, unbroken skin: This helps the glaze adhere properly while contributing to crispness.
• Even sizing: Uniform wings cook at the same rate, preventing some from drying out while others remain undercooked.

When preparing wings, halving them at the joint makes them easier to eat and helps them roast more evenly. Leaving them whole can cause uneven cooking, as the thickest part takes longer to cook through.

If using frozen wings, always thaw them properly in the fridge rather than at room temperature. This ensures even cooking and prevents excess moisture from diluting the marinade. 

Mastering the Harissa Honey Glaze

A great glaze transforms chicken wings from ordinary to exceptional. Harissa Honey Chicken Wings rely on a simple but powerful mix of harissa, spice, and honey to achieve their signature taste. The secret lies in layering the flavours properly.

First, the wings absorb the harissa paste and spice powder. Harissa paste brings a rich, smoky chilli heat, while the spice powder enhances its complexity. Marinating overnight allows the flavours to penetrate deeply, but even a quick 15-minute rest works well.

The final touch is the honey. Adding it in the last few minutes of grilling ensures the sugars caramelise without burning. This step creates a sticky, lacquered finish that makes the wings shine.

Getting the Perfect Texture: Crispy Yet Succulent

Texture is just as important as flavour when it comes to chicken wings. The goal is crispy skin with juicy meat inside, and Harissa Honey Chicken Wings achieve just that.

Grilling the wings under high heat crisps the skin while keeping the inside moist. Placing them skin-side down first allows the fat to render, creating golden, crackly edges. Flipping them ensures even cooking, then finishing with honey adds a final layer of caramelisation.

Want even crispier wings? Try patting them dry before seasoning or letting them air-dry in the fridge for an hour before cooking. This removes excess moisture, helping the skin crisp up beautifully.

Choosing the Right Harissa

Harissa is the star ingredient of this Harissa Honey Chicken Wings, but not all harissas are the same. Different brands and regions offer unique variations, ranging from spicy and smoky to mild and floral. Understanding these differences helps you select the right one for your taste preference.

• Rose Harissa: This variety includes dried rose petals, which soften the heat while adding a subtle floral sweetness. It’s perfect for those who enjoy a well-balanced spice level with hints of complexity.
• Traditional Harissa: Made from dried red chillies, garlic, coriander, and caraway, this version leans towards intense heat and deep smokiness. It’s ideal for those who love bold, fiery flavours.
• Mild Harissa: Some store-bought harissas are blended with tomatoes or roasted peppers, which tone down the spice while maintaining a rich, aromatic depth.

More Ways to Enjoy Harissa Honey Chicken Wings

While Harissa Honey Chicken Wings are incredible on their own, they also pair beautifully with different sides and dips. Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your meal:

• Cooling contrast: Serve with a cooling yoghurt dip. A mix of Greek yoghurt, lemon juice, garlic, and fresh mint balances the wings’ heat.
• Crunchy texture: Pair with a crisp slaw made from cabbage, carrots, and a citrusy dressing. The freshness cuts through the richness of the wings.
• Carb pairing: Enjoy with flatbreads, rice, or roasted potatoes to turn the dish into a heartier meal.
• Fresh herbs: Sprinkle chopped coriander or parsley over the wings for a burst of freshness.

More Wing Recipes

If you’ve enjoyed the sweet, spicy and utterly addictive flavours in these Harissa Honey Chicken Wings, here are some more wing recipes for you to give a go:

• Honey Chipotle Chicken Wings: Sweet, sticky and spicy. These wings are finger-licking good! They’re incredibly easy to make and only require a few ingredients. 
• Crispy Baked Sriracha Honey Wings: Crispy baked wings finished with a delicious sriracha honey glaze. They’re the perfect combination of sweet and spicy!
• Black Garlic & Harissa Wings: These wings are finger-licking good! You can grill them in the oven or on the barbecue. 
• Crispy Baked Buffalo Wings: Baked wings that are actually crispy! How? Try this recipe to find out!

See how I make all these recipes and more over on my Instagram!