Description
Tender, oven-baked chicken pieces brushed with smoky, spicy harissa and balanced with lemon and honey for a crisp, juicy, and vibrant main course.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks
- 3 tablespoons harissa paste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish (about 2 tablespoons, chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking tray with foil and place a wire rack on top if available.
- Combine Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons harissa paste, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper until smooth.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Lightly oil the wire rack or tray to prevent sticking and to promote even browning.
- Assemble the Dish: Pat 2 pounds of chicken pieces dry, toss them in the harissa marinade until well coated, and arrange them in a single layer on the prepared rack or tray.
- Cook to Perfection: Roast in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the skin is crisp and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Finishing Touches: Optional, brush with a little extra harissa-oil mix for a glossy glaze, then let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes to let the juices settle.
- Serve and Enjoy: Sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley and serve with lemon wedges, couscous, roasted vegetables, or flatbreads.
Notes
- For deeper flavor marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Pat chicken dry before marinating to help the skin crisp up in the oven.
- Use a wire rack over the pan so air circulates and the skin crisps evenly.
- Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: North African-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 of 4 servings (approx.)
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: harissa, baked chicken, spiced chicken, North African, weeknight dinner, spicy chicken, roasted chicken