• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Effortless Foodie
  • About
  • Contact
  • Recipes
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Ebooks
  • Resources
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Ebooks
    • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Dinner

    Harissa Roast Chicken Recipe

    Published: Apr 22, 2023 · Modified: Apr 29, 2025 by Beth Sachs · Leave a Comment · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe
    harissa roast chicken pin image.

    Looking for a new twist on the classic roast dinner? Try this mouth-watering spicy harissa roast chicken recipe, which pairs perfectly with roasted veggies, rice, salad, or good old-fashioned roast potatoes.

    With juicy and tender meat and crispy skin that's bursting with flavour, this dish is ideal for a family dinner, or a more formal dinner party.

    Harissa roast chicken on a wooden board with lemons.

    Would you like to save this?

    We'll email you this post for easy access later! You'll also join the Effortless Foodie mailing list and receive my popular 'No Bake Bars and Slices' eBook for free!

    This site is protected by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    It's a real crowd-pleaser of a recipe and a delicious and easy way to add some spice to your usual roast chicken dinner.

    👩‍🍳 Love roast chicken? Try my easy air fryer roast chicken next!

    Jump to:
    • What is Harissa?
    • ✔️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • 🛒 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • Top Tips
    • 🍴 Serving Suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • ❓Frequently Asked Questions
    • 😋More chicken recipes
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    What is Harissa?

    Harissa is a North African spice paste made from a blend of roasted red peppers, chili peppers, garlic, coriander, cumin, and other spices. It adds a spicy and smoky flavour to the chicken, making it a favourite among spice lovers.

    ✔️ Why You'll Love This Recipe

    1. The perfect balance of spiciness, saltiness, and sweetness.
    2. Moist, juicy, and tender chicken meat that's perfectly flavoured with herbs and spices.
    3. Made with simple ingredients that you can find in your pantry or fridge.
    4. Leftover chicken can be used in salads, risotto, and pasta dishes.
    5. One-pan meal that is easy to prepare and clean up.

    🛒 Ingredients

    Ingredients for harissa roast chicken recipe.

    Whole Chicken - 1.6kg whole chicken.

    Peppers - 2 red or yellow peppers, chopped into large chunks.

    Red Onion - peeled, quarted, and broken into petals.

    Olive Oil - to drizzle onto the vegetables.

    Harissa Rub - harissa paste, brown sugar, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic paste, salt and pepper

    Herbs - chopped fresh parsley and mint

    🔪 Instructions

    The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

    One: Preheat the oven to 180°C (160° fan/ 350F) and place the peppers and onions into a roasting tin. Drizzle with oil.

    Chopped peppers and onions in the bottom of a roasting tin.

    Two: Mix together the harissa rub ingredients and spread them onto the chicken.

    Whole chicken in roasting tin rubbed with harissa paste.

    Three: Roast in the oven for 1 hour 30 minutes, until the juices run clear. Test the internal temperature with a meat themeometer (it should reach 75°C). Cover the chicken with foil after 45 minutes to prevent the harissa rub from burning.

    Cooked harissa roast chicken in a roasting tin.

    Top Tips

    • Make sure to pat the chicken dry before seasoning it with harissa. This will help the harissa paste stick to the chicken better.
    • For a milder flavour, use less harissa paste or mix it with some olive oil or yogurt.
    • If you don't have harissa paste, you can make your own by blending together red chilli flakes, garlic cloves, cumin, coriander, olive oil, and lemon juice
    • Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should reach 75°C (165°F) for safe consumption.
    • Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute and the flavours to meld together.

    🍴 Serving Suggestions

    Harissa roast chicken can be paired with a variety of sides and salads. Here are a few serving suggestions:

    • Tabbouleh white bean salad
    • Coconut rice
    • Rocket salad
    • Roasted carrots
    • Air fryer roast potatoes
    • Greek orzo salad
    • Grilled vegetables

    To add a Middle Eastern twist to the dish, serve the chicken with a side of roasted red pepper hummus and warm pita bread. The creamy hummus will balance out the spiciness of the chicken perfectly.

    You could also serve it with a cool, tangy yogurt sauce to complement the spicy heat of the harissa chicken. To make a simple yogurt sauce, mix together plain yogurt, lemon juice, chopped herbs (such as mint, parsley or coriander), and a pinch of salt.

    Spicy whole roast chicken on a board for carving.

    📖 Variations

    • If you prefer a milder flavour, you can reduce the amount of harissa used in the recipe. On the other hand, if you love spice, you can add extra harissa or even some chilli flakes to the mix.
    • For a more intense flavour, you can marinate the chicken in harissa paste for several hours before roasting. This will infuse the meat with the spicy, aromatic flavours of harissa.
    • Use chicken thigh pieces instead of a whole chicken and make a harissa chicken traybake.
    • Swap the light brown sugar for clear runny honey.

    🥡 Storage

    Store - Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. It's recommended to store the chicken in an airtight container to keep it fresh for longer.

    Reheat - When reheating the chicken, it's important to ensure that it's heated through to an internal temperature of 75°C. This can be done by reheating in the oven or microwave.

    Freeze - If you want to freeze the chicken, wrap the chicken tightly in cling-film or aluminum foil and place it in a freezer-safe container or bag. The chicken can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    Juicy harissa roast chicken ready for carving.

    ❓Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use store-bought harissa?

    Yes, you can use store-bought harissa if you don't want to make your own.

    How spicy is harissa?

    Harissa can be quite spicy, depending on the type and amount of chili peppers used. If you're sensitive to heat, start with a small amount and taste as you go.

    😋More chicken recipes

    • Slow Cooker Roast Chicken
    • Air Fryer Chicken
    • Baked Cornflake Chicken Nuggets
    • Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
    Whole chicken in roasting tin.

    Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter to stay up to date with what's cooking in the Effortless Foodie kitchen! You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram too!

    Recipe

    Harissa roast chicken on a wooden carving board.
    Email
    Print Pin
    5 from 1 vote

    Spicy Harissa Roast Chicken

    Looking for a new twist on the classic roast dinner? Try this mouth-watering spicy harissa roast chicken recipe, which pairs perfectly with roasted veggies, rice, salad, or good old-fashioned roast potatoes.
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine British
    Prep Time 8 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time 1 hour hour 38 minutes minutes
    Servings 6
    Calories 349kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Would you like to save this?

    We'll email you this post for easy access later! You'll also join the Effortless Foodie mailing list and receive my popular 'No Bake Bars and Slices' eBook for free!

    This site is protected by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    Equipment

    • Chopping Board
    • Knife
    • Roasting Tin

    Ingredients

    • 1.6 kg Chicken
    • 2 Red Peppers chopped into large chunks
    • 1 Red Onion peeled, quartered and broken into petals
    • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil

    Harissa Rub

    • 3 tablespoon Harissa
    • 2 tablespoon Light Brown Sugar
    • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • 1 Lemon juice (but place the squeezed lemon into the roasting tray for extra flavour)
    • 1 teaspoon Garlic Paste
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper

    Garnish

    • Parsley and Mint finely chopped

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 180°C (160° fan/ 350F).
    • Place the peppers and onions into a roasting tin. Drizzle with oil.
      2 Red Peppers, 1 Red Onion, 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • Mix together the harissa rub ingredients in a bowl and spread onto the chicken with a spoon.
      1.6 kg Chicken, 3 tablespoon Harissa, 2 tablespoon Light Brown Sugar, 1 tablespoon Olive Oil, 1 Lemon, 1 teaspoon Garlic Paste, ½ teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
    • Roast in the oven for 1 hour 30 minutes, until the juices run clear. Test the internal temperature with a meat themeometer (it should reach 75°C). Cover the chicken with foil after 45 minutes to prevent the harissa rub from burning. garnish with chopped mint and parsley before serving.
      Parsley and Mint

    Notes

    Top Tips:
    • Make sure to pat the chicken dry before seasoning it with harissa. This will help the harissa paste stick to the chicken better.
    • For a milder flavour, use less harissa paste or mix it with some olive oil or yogurt.
    • If you don't have harissa paste, you can make your own by blending together red chilli flakes, garlic, cumin, coriander, olive oil, and lemon juice.
    • Swap the light brown sugar for honey.
    • Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should reach 75°C (165°F) for safe consumption.
     
    Variations:
    • If you prefer a milder flavour, you can reduce the amount of harissa used in the recipe. On the other hand, if you love spice, you can add extra harissa or even some chilli flakes to the mix.
    • For a more intense flavour, you can marinate the chicken in harissa paste for several hours before roasting. This will infuse the meat with the spicy, aromatic flavours of harissa.
     
    Nutrition:
    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Spicy Harissa Roast Chicken
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    349
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    10
    g
    15
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    13
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0.03
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    5
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    136
    mg
    45
    %
    Sodium
     
    3045
    mg
    132
    %
    Potassium
     
    1133
    mg
    32
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    19
    g
    6
    %
    Fiber
     
    2
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    10
    g
    11
    %
    Protein
     
    47
    g
    94
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    1322
    IU
    26
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    63
    mg
    76
    %
    Calcium
     
    48
    mg
    5
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @effortlessf00d on Instagram or Twitter

    More Easy Dinner Recipes

    • Bucatini all'Amatriciana.
      Easy Bucatini all'Amatriciana Recipe
    • Spinach and blue cheese pasta
      Creamy Spinach and Blue Cheese Pasta
    • Chicken bolognese garnished with parsley.
      Easy Chicken Bolognese Recipe
    • Leftover roast beef stroganoff with parsley.
      Easy Leftover Roast Beef Stroganoff Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    harissa roast chicken pin image.

    Hi, I'm Beth!

    Mum of three (and two crazy dogs), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

    Read more!

    My Web Stories

    Footer

    Footer

    harissa roast chicken pin image.

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn commissions from qualifying purchases

    Copyright © 2025 Effortless Foodie

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.