Sticky North African Chicken with Spicy Carrots

How are you doing #LoyalRoyals?

The longer summer days and warmer nights have inspired us to break out of our cooking comfort zone and try all sorts of new recipes. Sticky North African Chicken is top of the charts at the Palace right now! The spiciness of our wonder ingredient, Harissa Paste pairs so well with the sweetness of the honey, leaving you with crispy chicken and exotic gravy. Pair this simple dish with our Moroccan-inspired carrot salad or any greens from your garden.

Clink glasses and say out loud – Bessaha! That means ‘your good health’ in Maghrebi Arabic, by the way.

HRH Kathleen

You will need

1 Tbsp olive oil, if you choose skinless chicken
4 bone-in chicken thighs, skin on or off depending on your preference
Salt and black pepper
¼ cup honey
2 Tbsp Pesto Princess Harissa Paste
1 tsp red wine vinegar
1 garlic clove, grated or finely chopped

For the carrot salad

750 g carrots
1 onion, finely chopped
3 Tbsp Pesto Princess Chermoula Paste
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 Tbsp white wine vinegar
1 Tbsp chopped preserved lemon or the zest from one fresh lemon + lemon juice to taste
1/3 cup olive oil, plus extra to finish
Salt
2 cups coriander leaves, coarsely chopped, plus extra to garnish
1/2 cup double thick Greek yoghurt, chilled

How to

1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Lightly coat the chicken pieces with oil, season generously with salt and pepper. Place in an oven-proof dish with the lid on and bake for 20-25 minutes (depending on how big your pieces are, you don’t want them cooked through yet).

2. In the meantime, combine the honey, Pesto Princess Harissa Paste, vinegar and garlic in a small pan and cook over medium heat until thick and sticky (it should take about 10 minutes).

3. Remove the chicken from the oven and increase temperature to 220ºC. Pour the sticky sauce over the chicken pieces and coat evenly before placing them back in the oven until they are slightly crispy.

4. To make the carrot salad, peel and chop the carrots into rough chunks about 2 cm in length. Place the carrots in a large pot, cover with salted water and bring to the boil. Turn down the heat and simmer until tender but crunchy. Drain in a colander and leave them to dry out (this will allow the dressing to ‘stick’).

5. Sauté the onion over medium heat until soft, then add the Pesto Princess Chermoula Paste and stir to combine. Add the carrots, garlic, vinegar, preserved lemon or lemon juice and olive oil. Remove from the heat and season well. Stir to combine and leave to cool.

6. Stir in the chopped coriander just before serving, taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve in individual bowls with a dollop of yoghurt, a drizzle of oil and a garnish of extra coriander.

Recipe and food styling by Michelle Parkin.

Michael Olivier’s Choice

Spier Secret

Looks like Pour from a simple tear shaped bottle with an elegant blue label, closed with a crown cork. In the glass, a lovely cherry blossom pink.

Smells like Whiffs of wild strawberry and raspberry and Muscat.

It tastes like Full, rich, semi-sweet, fynbos, honey palate ending crisp and refreshing. Good match for a dish like this with its spicy flavours.

www.michaelolivier.co.za