Harissa-Maple Chicken Thighs & Orzo Salad with Carrots & Salsa Verde

Harissa-Maple Chicken Thighs & Orzo Salad

with Carrots & Salsa Verde

30 MIN
2 Servings
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From the Test Kitchen

To serve with juicy chicken thighs spiced with fragrant, herby za’atar (a traditional Middle Eastern blend), we’re tossing together tender orzo and sautéed vegetables with our flavor-packed salsa verde.
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  • Nutrition
    PER SERVING
  • Calories
    810 Cals (est.)
fresh
ingredients
Harissa-Maple Chicken Thighs & Orzo Salad with Carrots & Salsa Verde
Title
  • 12 oz Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs
  • 4 oz Orzo Pasta
  • 6 oz Carrots
  • 1 Red Onion
  • ⅓ cup Salsa Verde
  • 1 Tbsp Red Harissa Paste
  • 1½ Tbsps Maple Syrup
  • 1 Tbsp Za'atar Seasoning (Ground Sumac, Sesame Seeds, Salt, Ground Thyme, Whole Dried Oregano & Crushed Aleppo Pepper)
time-saving
tips & techniques
How To: Properly Salt Cooking Water
How To: Safely Cut Round Vegetables
step-by-step
instructions
Cook Along Triangle Created with Sketch.
Prepare the ingredients & make the sauce
1 Prepare the ingredients & make the sauce

Fill a medium pot 3/4 of the way up with salted water; cover and heat to boiling on high. Wash, dry, and peel the carrots; halve lengthwise, then thinly slice crosswise. Halve, peel, and medium dice the onion. In a bowl, whisk together the harissa paste and maple syrup. 

Cook the pasta
2 Cook the pasta

Add the pasta to the pot of boiling water. Cook, uncovered, 8 to 10 minutes, or until tender. Turn off the heat. Drain thoroughly and return to the pot. Cover to keep warm. 

Cook the chicken
3 Cook the chicken

Meanwhile, pat the chicken dry with paper towels; season on both sides with salt, pepper, and enough of the za’atar to coat (you may have extra). In a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the seasoned chicken. Cook 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through.* Leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pan, transfer to a plate. 

*An instant-read thermometer should register 165°F.

Cook the vegetables
4 Cook the vegetables

In the pan of reserved fond, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the sliced carrots in an even layer; season with salt and pepper. Cook, without stirring, 3 to 4 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add the diced onion; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes, or until softened. Turn off the heat.

Finish the pasta & serve your dish
5 Finish the pasta & serve your dish

To the pot of cooked pasta, add the cooked vegetables and salsa verde; stir to combine. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Serve the finished pasta topped with the cooked chicken and sauce. Enjoy!

Tips from Home Chefs

Harissa-Maple Chicken Thighs & Orzo Salad

Prepare the ingredients & make the sauce
1 Prepare the ingredients & make the sauce

Fill a medium pot 3/4 of the way up with salted water; cover and heat to boiling on high. Wash, dry, and peel the carrots; halve lengthwise, then thinly slice crosswise. Halve, peel, and medium dice the onion. In a bowl, whisk together the harissa paste and maple syrup. 

2 Cook the pasta

Add the pasta to the pot of boiling water. Cook, uncovered, 8 to 10 minutes, or until tender. Turn off the heat. Drain thoroughly and return to the pot. Cover to keep warm. 

Cook the pasta
Cook the chicken
3 Cook the chicken

Meanwhile, pat the chicken dry with paper towels; season on both sides with salt, pepper, and enough of the za’atar to coat (you may have extra). In a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the seasoned chicken. Cook 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through.* Leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pan, transfer to a plate. 

*An instant-read thermometer should register 165°F.

4 Cook the vegetables

In the pan of reserved fond, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the sliced carrots in an even layer; season with salt and pepper. Cook, without stirring, 3 to 4 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add the diced onion; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes, or until softened. Turn off the heat.

Cook the vegetables
Finish the pasta & serve your dish
5 Finish the pasta & serve your dish

To the pot of cooked pasta, add the cooked vegetables and salsa verde; stir to combine. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Serve the finished pasta topped with the cooked chicken and sauce. Enjoy!

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