In this grilled chicken recipe, the humble drumsticks are dressed in a Moroccan-inspired garlic and harissa marinade. Spicy. Tangy. Simply addictive!
I am a frequent wanderer. Somewhat of a nomad. Not by choice.
My my mind travels often, from the familiar places I have lived or visited recently, to places exotic and mysterious. Destinations that I may only encounter in the pages of books or travel magazines. The pictures so vivid and filled with life, they jump off the page at me. And thanks to the gift of human imagination, my brain takes me beyond the vibrant colors–to texture, smell and even taste.
Whenever I physically travel to a new place, or simply daydream about it (as I have been about Morocco lately), my mind always goes to food. And I find myself equally fascinated with new foods as I am with foods familiar and universal.
Is there anything so universal as chicken cooked on an open flame?
In today’s grilled chicken drumsticks recipe, I decided to give the familiar chicken drumsticks a Moroccan twist. I used harissa paste, a popular Moroccan chili paste, as the base for the marinade. I added more garlic, lime juice, olive oil, and a few of my favorite spices, sumac, thyme and ground nutmeg.
What exactly is harissa?
I’ve heard harissa described as the ketchup of North Africa. In a way it is, because harissa is as ubiquitously found in parts of North Africa like Morocco, Tunisia, and Libya, as ketchup is found here in the United States. And in some countries, harissa is considered a condiment to accompany “fast foods” like eggs and tuna sandwiches.
But believe me, harissa is not like ketchup. Harissa is highly complex in flavor. There are several recipes for harissa depending on what part of North Africa you visit. But at its core, harissa paste combines a variety of hot peppers with olive oil and garlic, and spices like coriander, and caraway seeds.
Where to find harissa paste in the United States
You can find harrissa paste at specialty food stores like Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and even World Market. Amazon carries a variety; here is a list of harissa options!
What to serve with these grilled chicken drumsticks
This recipe for grilled chicken drumsticks with garlic harissa marinade is quite simple. But the intensity of flavor is unmatched.
For a large party, I like to serve these drumsticks with grilled vegetables and an easy mezze party platter like this one; you can buy most of the platter items already prepared. Or try one of these simple sides: fattoush salad; kidney bean and cilantro salad; Israeli couscous salad; roasted red pepper hummus; or traditional creamy hummus.
Happy Labor Day weekend!
Step-by-Step for these grilled chicken drumsticks
(Scroll down for the print-friendly recipe)
To make the garlic-harissa marinade, in a food processor, blend the chopped garlic, harissa paste, nutmeg, sumac, thyme, lime juice and olive oil.
Pat the chicken drumsticks dry and season lightly with salt and pepper. Now apply the garlic-harissa marinade to the chicken drumsticks, particularly underneath the skin. Do not discard the remaining marinade.
Place the chicken drumsticks with the sliced onions in a large jumbo kitchen bag with a seal. Pour the extra marinade on top. Seal the bag shut and massage the contents so that the chicken is well covered in the garlic-harissa marinade.
Refrigerate for four hours or overnight.
When ready, heat an outdoor grill to medium. Grill the drumsticks on medium heat, covered, for 35-40 minutes or until well done. As they grill, turn the drumsticks every 7-8 minutes or so.
Assemble the chicken drumsticks on a platter and enjoy with your favorite sides (be sure to check out the suggestions I mentioned earlier)
Grilled Chicken Drumsticks with Spicy Garlic Harissa Rub
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Prep Time: 15 mins - Cook Time: 40 mins
- Total Time: 55 minutes
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Yield: 10 -
Category: Entree -
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeIngredients
- 15 garlic cloves, peeled, roughly chopped
- 6 tbsp Harissa paste like this one
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 1/2 tsp sumac
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 large limes or lemons, juice of
- 4 tbsp Private Reserve extra virgin olive oil
- 20 large chicken drumsticks
- Salt and pepper
- 1 large red onion, sliced
Instructions
- To make the garlic-harissa marinade, in a food processor, blend the chopped garlic, harissa paste, nutmeg, sumac, thyme, lime juice and olive oil.
- Pat the chicken drumsticks dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Now apply the garlic-harissa marinade to the chicken drumsticks, particularly underneath the skin. Do not discard the remaining marinade.
- Place the chicken drumsticks with the sliced onions in a large jumbo kitchen bag with a seal. Pour the extra marinade on top. Seal the bag shut and massage the contents so that the chicken is well covered in the garlic-harissa marinade.
- Refrigerate for four hours or overnight.
- When ready, heat an outdoor grill to medium. Grill the drumsticks on medium heat, covered, for 35-40 minutes or until well done. As they grill, turn the drumsticks every 7-8 minutes.
- Serve with an easy mezze platter like this one. Or sides like fattoush salad; kidney bean and cilantro salad; roasted red pepper hummus.
Notes
- If you choose to substitute Harissa with a different chili paste, select one that does not have sweet undertones. You want to go spicy-tangy for this recipe. And of course, if you prefer a less spicy drumstick, go ahead and reduce the amount of Harissa or chili paste to your taste.
- Recommended for this Recipe our Private Reserve extra virgin olive oil, and all-natural ground nutmeg, and sumac spice.
- SAVE! Create your own 3-pack or 6-pack of our all-natural or organic spices! Or try our Ultimate Mediterranean Spice Bundle!
Jean Bishop says
I made this exactly as the recipe reads using drums and thighs. I baked in the oven at 350 until meat thermometer read 165…absolutely delicious!!! The marinade is so good and flavorful! I bought the harissa paste on amazon (one in the yellow tube)…I did broil for a few minutes to caramelize the skin and this is oh-so-good! I’m thinking that marinade would make a fantastic dressing in a pasta salad…fantastic recipe!!
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Suzy Karadsheh says
Jean, so glad to hear your feedback! I haven’t made this one in a while, and now I want to! So glad you enjoyed it. And thanks for sharing the baking instructions!
janet thornton says
this is MAKIN IT!! pinterest owner
Suzy Karadsheh says
Thank, you Janet! Appreciate it.
Sharon says
I don’t have an outdoor grill. What is your recommendation for cooking in oven or stove-top?
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Suzy Karadsheh says
Hi Sharon. If you have a cast iron skillet or a griddle of sorts, you can brown the drumsticks stove-top, then when the skin is nice and browned, move them to the oven, maybe with a generous drizzle of olive oil. Bake in a 400 degrees F heated oven until the internal temp of the chicken registers 165 degrees F. Hope this helps! Enjoy!
Shahid Shaikh says
Hello Suzy, when do you plan to share harissa recipe, i wish to prepare it myself. Plz update, thanks 🙂
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Suzy Karadsheh says
Hi Shahid…Are you asking for a homemade harissa paste recipe? I am so glad you reminded me!! I will try and work on it in near future. Thanks so much!
Shahid Shaikh says
Yes, a home made harissa paste recipe. Thank you. I m waiting for it 🙂
Chhote Miyaan says
Hey Suzy, have you shared the recipe for a homemade harissa paste on the site. ? If yes, plz share the link. Thank you.
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Suzy Karadsheh says
Hi! Sorry, I haven’t been able to get to that one yet. But it’s still on my list.
Amber says
Crazy delicious! I used half lemon juice, half lime, and had the happy accident of grilling them a bit too low for :40, then raised the heat for :10, and they were perfect. I got such glowing reviews at a Mediterranean-themed potluck last night, that I currently have a new batch marinating for dinner tomorrow! Thank you!
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Suzy Karadsheh says
Amber, that is so great to hear! I’m glad you enjoyed the grilled chicken drumsticks. Isn’t that marinade so good?!!! Thanks so much for taking the time to share!
Misty says
I’m always looking for new, healthy ways to cook chicken breasts. Have you ever used subbed breasts for drumsticks and, instead of the grill, have you ever prepared this recipe in the oven?
Suzy Karadsheh says
Hey Misty. Great questions. This particular recipe, I have only tried with drumsticks. But I am sure it would be great with chicken breasts as well. I would marinate the chicken breasts (bone-in, skin on) overnight (be sure to work some of the marinade underneath the skin). To roast, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and roast for 40-45 mins (if you are doing 4 or so chicken breasts, for example). Adjust the amount of the marinade according to how much chicken you decide to make. Here is another roasted chicken breast recipe that you might like http://www.themediterraneandish.com/zaatar-roasted-chicken-breast-recipe/
Mary Frances says
Wow! Chicken has never looked this appetizing before. Great pictures and recipe, Suzy!
Suzy Karadsheh says
Thank you, Mary! They taste as good as they look. Promise
Sarah @ The Chef Next Door says
What a gorgeous dish! My family loves grilled chicken and I know they would love this!
Suzy Karadsheh says
Thanks so much, Sarah! If you ever try it, let me know.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
Wow, looking at that chicken marinating in the harissa marinade, I just want to reach in and put it on my grill. The finished dish is gorgeous!
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Suzy Karadsheh says
Maureen, great to see you here, friend! Thanks for the sweet comment.
Kristen says
You make dinner look soo easy and delicious! Another recipe I plan to pass!
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Suzy Karadsheh says
Kristen, you are too kind. This is for sure an easy recipe, the key is in the marinade!
Debi @ Life Currents says
These would be great for this holiday weekend. I love spicy food! Thanks for the recipe.
Suzy Karadsheh says
Debi, thank you! This is an easy go-to recipe for the grill.
Kristen @ The Endless Meal says
Harissa is one of my favourite things to cook with. I just love how it adds a delicious spiciness to everything. These drumsticks look crazy good!
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Suzy Karadsheh says
Kristen, thanks for stopping in! I am a big fan of harissa, such a versatile ingredient.
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
What a lovely recipe, I do like a bit if zing and heat to BBQ chicken. They look so good served with all those herbs.
Suzy Karadsheh says
This chicken has some good zing for sure, Helen! So glad to see you here.
Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts says
Oh Suzy. These photos make me want to reach into my screen and steal a drumstick.
Yummy!
Suzy Karadsheh says
Claire, so great to see you back here, friend! Thank you for the sweet comment. These are totally stealable drumsticks. I am having to make them over and over for friends.
Jillian @ Food, Folks and Fun says
This chicken recipe looks amazing!
Suzy Karadsheh says
Thank you, Jillian! A super easy go-to recipe for sure!
Catherine says
Dear Suzy, as always, beautiful meal and beautiful photos. This sounds so flavorful and delicious. A perfect Labor Day Weekend meal. xo, Catherine
Suzy Karadsheh says
Catherine, thank you. You are always way too kind. These chicken drumsticks just hit the spot for labor day. Great grill recipe.
Rebecca B says
This sounds like a great recipe for the holiday weekend!! Love the spicy combo!!
Suzy Karadsheh says
It was perfect, Rebecca! Thank you for stopping in.
Healing Tomato says
This looks like the perfect family meal. Great photos too.
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Suzy Karadsheh says
Thank you! This is for sure a new favorite in my family.
Linda (Meal Planning Maven) says
We love finding new Mediterranean chicken recipes for the grill and yours looks awesome! So many great flavors, especially harissa!
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Suzy Karadsheh says
Flavor is where it’s at, Linda! Thanks so much.
Joanne/WineLady Cooks says
The Harissa sounds awesome, I’m going to look for in my specialty markets. It’s a nice addition of flavors for chicken.
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Suzy Karadsheh says
Joanne, I found harissa at Target the other day!!! It is certainly becoming more mainstream!!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
Would love to try this at the next boys night we host.
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Suzy Karadsheh says
This would be perfect for boys night, Bintu! Great idea. Thanks for stopping in.
Katerina says
These drumsticks look so tasty and appetizing! Delicious combination of flavors!
Suzy Karadsheh says
Thank you, Katerina! It’s all about flavor.
Sandi Gaertner (@sandigtweets) says
Fabulous wings Suzy. They look amazing!
Suzy Karadsheh says
Thank you, Sandy! They were amazing. I think I am making some more soon!
Jessica (Savory Experiments) says
You are making me drool! I love a good harissa!
Suzy Karadsheh says
Jessica, thank you! Yes, harissa is the miracle ingredient in this recipe.
Peter @ Feed Your Soul Too says
I love to use harissa. Adds such good flavor and color.
christine says
My husband isn’t a big fan of drumsticks but I really love them. I am always trying new ways to get him on board. I bet he would love the flavors on these. I’ve never worked with harissa but I’m looking forward to it!
KC the Kitchen Chopper says
Yes, I would have to reduce the heat in this one. For The Hubby. But the whole idea of a spicy tangy grilled chicken has me drooling. On my “to do” list for sure.
[email protected] says
Fantastic flavors going on in this recipe, they look mouth watering.
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Suzy Karadsheh says
Thank you, Janette! I was so pleased with how these turned out. A new favorite in my household for sure!
GiGi Eats says
PINNING! Chicken + GiGi = a rock solid relationship! 😉 I love sucking meat off the bone! HA HA HA!
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Admin says
Thanks a lot GiGi! So glad you stopped in. I think you would like these drumsticks! Happy weekend.