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This is the archived version of the Milk Street website and is no longer up to date.

Please visit 177milkstreet.com to see the current website with all of the latest recipes!

Harissa-Spiced Pasta and Chicken with Green Beans

4 to 6 Servings

40 minutes

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The idea for this one-pot dinner came from macroona mbakbka, which sometimes is called the national dish of Libya. Pasta made its way into Libyan cooking as a result of Italian colonization during the early to mid-20th century, and for mbakbka, it’s paired with spices, tomato and chicken (sometimes other types of meat). For our version, we use harissa, a North African spice paste, as a simple way to incorporate both chili heat and a mixture of aromatic spices. We also add green beans to round out the dish. For mild palates or if the harissa you purchase is especially spicy, use the lesser amount; for bolder heat, use the larger quantity, and offer more at the table, too.

4 to 6

Servings

Tip

Don’t worry if the chicken isn’t completely cooked after the initial browning. Simmering with the pasta and beans will fully cook the pieces. Don’t forget to bring the 3 cups of water to a boil. Adding boiling, rather than room-temperature, water to the pot shaves a few minutes off the cooking time.

40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1½

    pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 1-2

    tablespoons harissa paste

Directions

Reviews
TERESA S.
March 28, 2026
Increase spices
I increased the harissa to 1/4 cup and added more allspice and a dash of cinnamon. Also needed more salt and a pinch of msg, but then very tasty and quick and easy to put together!

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