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I feel like everyone is in need of a good, quick and easy dinner.
We are in that final week before the holiday craziness that is Thanksgiving begins, and let’s be honest, as much as we all love thinking about Thanksgiving and what we’ll be making/eating (or maybe that’s just me), we also HAVE to eat in the meantime. <–whoa, crazy run on sentence…my grammar is highly embarrassing.
So that clearly means we need easy meals. Life is busy and easy meals are where it’s at right now. I mean, right?!?
No really, life is so busy and for someone who does not know how to use the word NO it’s exceptionally busy. Especially during this special, most awesome time of year. I love it and hate it at the same time.
UGH. The life of a yes, yes, yes, new idea, yes, person. <– that’s me.
But also, I think I would go insane if I wasn’t doing something like ALL the time. Or at least that’s what I keep telling myself. I also keep telling myself that if there’s one new goal that I make super important for myself it’s getting enough sleep…unfortunately…not doing so hot on this task. Oops! I am trying (well not really), but sometimes I lay in bed and my brain just won’t turn off. I think about recipes, photos, tasks to do, comments, emails (ugh) and new ideas. I have decided I have some serious issues.
I am only twenty-flippin-two. What twenty-two year old thinks this way? Or even thinks this much?
I wonder…
Also, I think I might be at my most creative/imaginative peak during the months of November + December. My brain just wanders like a like a little kid. Thinking up one holiday thing after another.
It’s actually stressing me out that I don’t have enough time do all the fun things I have come up with.
Again, weirdo issues here for sure.
Double also, my dad told me the other day that this time of year is really hard for some people. I could not believe this. Sorry if I am being insensitive to anyone, it’s just that this is the happiest two months of the year for me. NO JOKE.
Wow, I am such a dork. I should probably not be allowed to ramble like this. I better talk about this Crockpot Honey Harissa Chicken already before I loose you guys for good!
Wait, did I lose you?!? HOLD ON.
We have a serious chicken dinner situation that needs to be discussed.
This chicken here?? it’s the best! It’s so simple and easy… and so flavorful… even pretty dang healthy too! Yeah, fist pump! Wow, my dorkiness is really shining through today like no other!
Here’s the deal. You add everything to the crockpot (well not the ingredients for the rice), cover and cook on low and slow until you are ready for dinner. The chicken is spicy, but sweet and tangy too, which you all know is one of my all time favorite combos. It’s a mix of Moroccan, Indian and then a little Tieghan…oh wait, that’s not a flavor. Hmm, maybe I should make it one, like a Tieghan’s Spice??
Nah, that’s just too weird, even for me.
Point is, this chicken is awesome and I really hope you make it… like this week or next, the sooner the better.
AND of course, don’t forget the rice cause… CARBS. You really can’t live without carbs. Or maybe YOU can, but I can’t. My mom taught me to embrace them. Especially carbs in the form of rice, pasta and bread. This rice in particular is one of my favorites…obviously. You guys know how obsessed I am with pomegranates. I do think they are one of my favorite fruits. I even find de-seeding them soothing, I think it calms me.
And now I am done. Hoping all this weirdness going on with my thoughts today will be gone tomorrow. I blame it all on Monday. <–Always blame Monday, duh.
And then make this Crockpot Harissa Chicken with pretty jeweled pomegranate rice. It will make everything all good again!
Crockpot Honey Harissa Chicken with Chickpeas, Feta and Jeweled Pomegranate Rice.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup [harissa | https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/homemade-harissa-spicy-red-pepper-sauce/]
- 1/2 cup full-fat canned coconut milk
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2-4 tablespoons honey (depending on your taste, I used 3 tablespoons)
- 1 in chipotle chile adobo, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon stick or 1/2 cinnamon
- 2-4 carrots, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 1/2-2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs OR boneless chicken breasts
- pepper, to taste
- 1 ounce can chickpeas, drained + rinsed, 14
- chopped cilantro + mint, for serving
- feta cheese, fro topping
Jeweled Pomegranate Rice
- 1 cup uncooked jasmine rice
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon saffron, optional
- 1-2 tablespoons molasses
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/3 cup roasted, salted pistachios
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds
- zest from 1 orange
- arils from one pomegranate
- salt, to taste
Instructions
- In the bowl of a crockpot (oven directions in the notes), combine the harissa, coconut milk, soy sauce, honey, chipotle chile, ginger and garlic. Add the cinnamon stick, carrots, bell pepper and chicken toss with the sauce to combine. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-6 hours.
- Just before serving, preheat the broiler to HIGH. Carefully remove the chicken from the sauce and place on a greased baking sheet. Place under the broiler for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until the chicken is crisp and golden. Watch close as the broiler works FAST.
- Stir the chickpeas and chicken back into the sauce. Warm through, about 5 minutes. Serve with the jeweled pomegranate rice (recipe below) and fresh cilantro + mint and feta cheese.
Jeweled Pomegranate Rice
- Add the coconut milk and water to a medium size pot. Bring to a low boil and then add the rice + saffron. Stir to combine, then place the lid on the pot and turn the heat down to the lowest setting possible. Allow the rice to cook ten minutes on low and then turn the heat off completely and let the rice sit on the stove, covered for another 15-20 minutes (don't take any peeks inside!). After 15-20 minutes remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. When ready to eat, drizzle in 1-2 tablespoons molasses. Stir in the the butter, pistachios, almonds, orange zest and all the pomegranate arils. *Once the pomegranate arils are added, the rice should be eaten right away. Just a note, rice can cook differently for everyone, this is just what works for me.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
But really, this chicken? that rice? it’s everything Monday (or any day) NEEDS – trust me!
P.S. Sorry if this post made you want to pull your hair out. Tomorrow I have chocolate to share so I should be on my A game – COOL. And maybe tomorrow we’ll chat about my little brother, and him not being able to make a grilled cheese at fifteen. Pampered much? I think so. Am I jealous? Possibly.
Beautiful! I can’t wait to try it. I am definitely putting it on my rotation this week.
Thank you so much! Hope you love the chicken!
This looks fabulous!! So many of my favorite flavors in one pot! And yes, CARBS all day every day. Making this ASAP!
Thanks you so much, Molly! And YES to carbs!!
The quote about not understanding why people wouldn’t enjoy the holidays, seems a bit insensitive. If you have ever experienced a loss, you remember it at this time of year. You should try to edit yourself a bit better sometimes, just a suggestion.
Hey erin,
I am so sorry if that seemed insensitive. I completely understand where you are coming from as I too have experienced a loss and in December too. It was actually my aunt at a very young age and about 3 years ago. My cousins now come here every Christmas and I see what a hard time it is. I did not mean it in that way once so ever and I apologize if I offended you. For me, it’s a time to remember the good things and be with people you love.
The chicken and the rice both sound incredible. And the pictures… oh man. Gorgeous as usual!
Thank you so much, heather!
Hi Tieghan! I just wanted to say that I absolutely love visiting your blog every morning to see what delicious masterpiece you’ve dreamed up. Your photos are simply beautiful, too. Also, I noticed on this post that you didn’t mention feta in the ingredient list or instructions. Am I correct that it’s just used as a garnish? Thanks!
AWE!! Thank you so much, Liz! That means everything! Thanks for letting me know about the feta. Adding it to the recipe now!:)
Just gorgeous, as always, Jeweled rice is my favorite show stopping dish!
Thank you so much! Hope you had a great MOnday!
I actually have all of these ingredients on hand….making this tonight when I get home. I love the great combo of ingredients going on in this dish!!
Thanks Deborah!
LOVE all the colors and flavors happening here! And totes 100% agree on these being the two best months of the year!
Thanks Janel!! And yeah for holiday lovers! 🙂
This sounds delish…. I don’t know about crabs lol but carbs are good. Second sentence in rice description it says that you really love crabs!
Thanks Noel! 🙂
These photos are absolutely stunning! I love love love this meal idea!
Thanks Taylor!! Hope you had a great Monday!
I’m all over this chicken dinner situation and I totally know what you mean about not being able to fit all of the holiday things you want to make into the too-short holiday season! I’m sure you’ll choose only the greatest things though, and I can’t wait to see!
SO glad I a not alone in the holiday love! 🙂
Hope you had a great Monday, Tori!!
I love chicken, any old way, and have cooked it with harissa and chickpeas before but not with feta!!! Must try that one soon!
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Thanks!! Hope you love the chicken!
Ooohh, this is AWESOME !!!! This is going to be tomorrow nights supper, I just have to buy the Jasmine rice and the pomegranates. Yay !!!!! thanks, so looking forward to this 🙂
YEAH! I hope you love this recipe! THANKS! 🙂
Tieghan, I made this last night and it was THE BEST !!! Awesome, Delicious ..you name it, it was. So happy with this and definitely will be doing it again, (and again and again) Thank you sooooo much x
I love all the flavours in this dish and the fact that it’s easy to make, makes it even better. It’s definitely going to be on the menu in the near future.
Thanks Kristina!
maybe that’s why you can come up with such unique/fab combos like harissa and chipotle peppers in adobo (though i hope you can relax a little during thanksgiving!). and i’m all for quick and easy during this last push of productivity before doing nothing besides sleeping and hanging out with family and baking during the mini-break.
OMG! Your holiday break sounds AMAZING!!! 🙂