Harissa Chicken Traybake (Printable Version)

Harissa-marinated chicken roasted with chickpeas and colorful vegetables for a spicy, easy weeknight meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
02 - 2 tablespoons harissa paste
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - Juice of 1 lemon

→ Vegetables & Chickpeas

10 - 1 can (15 oz / 400 g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
11 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into bite-sized pieces
12 - 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into bite-sized pieces
13 - 1 red onion, cut into wedges
14 - 1 medium zucchini, sliced
15 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
16 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
17 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnish

18 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
19 - Lemon wedges, to serve

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper or lightly oil it.
02 - In a large bowl, combine harissa paste, olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, pepper, garlic, and lemon juice. Add chicken thighs and toss to coat evenly.
03 - In another bowl, toss chickpeas, bell peppers, red onion, and zucchini with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread vegetables and chickpeas evenly on the sheet pan.
04 - Nestle the marinated chicken thighs skin-side up among the vegetables.
05 - Roast in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C) and the skin is golden, and vegetables are tender.
06 - Remove from oven. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The spicy crust on the chicken tastes almost indulgent, yet it all comes together in one pan.
  • The leftovers are just as satisfying tossed with a bit of couscous or tucked into warm flatbread.
02 -
  • Once, I forgot to dry the chicken skin and ended up with a soggy top—always pat it dry before marinating.
  • Switching to parchment paper made cleanup a breeze and helped everything brown more evenly.
03 -
  • Let the chicken sit at room temperature for 15 minutes after marinating so it roasts more evenly.
  • Squeeze lemon over everything while hot for the brightest flavor punch.
Go Back