COURSE:
Dinner
Harissa Apricot Chicken with Couscous
Sweet, smoky and gently spiced, this Harissa Apricot Chicken with Couscous is a simple one-pot meal packed with flavour. Tender chicken thighs cook in a fragrant blend of rose harissa, warming spices and chicken stock, while dried apricots add a subtle sweetness that balances the heat beautifully.
Sweet, Smoky and Full of Flavour
Rose harissa brings warmth and depth without overpowering the dish, while cumin, smoked paprika and cinnamon create a rich, aromatic base. As the chicken pressure cooks, the apricots soften into the sauce, adding sweetness and helping create a beautifully balanced finish.
One Pot, Minimal Effort
The Instant Pot keeps everything straightforward. The chicken cooks quickly under pressure, then the couscous is stirred directly into the remaining spiced cooking liquid to absorb every bit of flavour. There is no need for a separate pan, making this an ideal option for an easy midweek dinner.
Easy to Finish Your Way
A spoonful of Greek yoghurt adds a cool, creamy contrast, while fresh mint, parsley and toasted almonds or pistachios bring colour, freshness and texture. Finish with a little extra harissa oil and a squeeze of lemon for a vibrant meal that feels special without being complicated.
Harissa Apricot Chicken with Couscous
Servings:
2-3
Ingredients
- 500g skinless, boneless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp rose harissa
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- 250ml chicken stock
- 6 dried apricots, diced
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 150g couscous
To finish
- Greek yoghurt
- Fresh mint and parsley
- Toasted flaked almonds or pistachios
- Extra harissa/olive oil drizzle
- Lemon
Instructions
1. Sauté
- Add olive oil to the Instant Pot.
- Lightly brown the chicken thighs for a couple of minutes.
- Add garlic, cumin, paprika, cinnamon and harissa. Cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
2. Pressure cook
- Add stock, apricots, honey and lemon juice.
- Cook on High Pressure for 8 minutes.
- Leave for 5 minutes natural release, then quick release.
3. Add couscous
- Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Stir the couscous directly into the spiced cooking liquid.
- Put the lid back on (no pressure) and leave for 5 minutes.
- Fluff with a fork.
4. Serve
- Finish with yoghurt, herbs, toasted nuts and an extra drizzle of harissa oil
Notes
This recipe is perfect for multi-cookers like the Instant Pot Pro Multi-Cooker 5.7L in Coconut White.
Harissa Apricot Chicken with Couscous
COURSE:
Dinner
Servings:
2-3
Ingredients
- 500g skinless, boneless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp rose harissa
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- 250ml chicken stock
- 6 dried apricots, diced
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 150g couscous
To finish
- Greek yoghurt
- Fresh mint and parsley
- Toasted flaked almonds or pistachios
- Extra harissa/olive oil drizzle
- Lemon
Instructions
1. Sauté
- Add olive oil to the Instant Pot.
- Lightly brown the chicken thighs for a couple of minutes.
- Add garlic, cumin, paprika, cinnamon and harissa. Cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
2. Pressure cook
- Add stock, apricots, honey and lemon juice.
- Cook on High Pressure for 8 minutes.
- Leave for 5 minutes natural release, then quick release.
3. Add couscous
- Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Stir the couscous directly into the spiced cooking liquid.
- Put the lid back on (no pressure) and leave for 5 minutes.
- Fluff with a fork.
4. Serve
- Finish with yoghurt, herbs, toasted nuts and an extra drizzle of harissa oil
Notes
This recipe is perfect for multi-cookers like the Instant Pot Pro Multi-Cooker 5.7L in Coconut White.
Harissa Apricot Chicken with Couscous
Sweet, smoky and gently spiced, this Harissa Apricot Chicken with Couscous is a simple one-pot meal packed with flavour. Tender chicken thighs cook in a fragrant blend of rose harissa, warming spices and chicken stock, while dried apricots add a subtle sweetness that balances the heat beautifully.
Sweet, Smoky and Full of Flavour
Rose harissa brings warmth and depth without overpowering the dish, while cumin, smoked paprika and cinnamon create a rich, aromatic base. As the chicken pressure cooks, the apricots soften into the sauce, adding sweetness and helping create a beautifully balanced finish.
One Pot, Minimal Effort
The Instant Pot keeps everything straightforward. The chicken cooks quickly under pressure, then the couscous is stirred directly into the remaining spiced cooking liquid to absorb every bit of flavour. There is no need for a separate pan, making this an ideal option for an easy midweek dinner.
Easy to Finish Your Way
A spoonful of Greek yoghurt adds a cool, creamy contrast, while fresh mint, parsley and toasted almonds or pistachios bring colour, freshness and texture. Finish with a little extra harissa oil and a squeeze of lemon for a vibrant meal that feels special without being complicated.
