Harissa Roast Chicken Traybake

Harissa roast chicken traybake brings the warmth of North African chilli paste into an easy British-style oven dinner. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs roast until browned and juicy, while red onion and pepper soften into the spiced pan juices. Chickpeas added partway through make the tray more substantial without losing their texture, and lemon cuts through the richness at the end. Serve it straight from the tray with extra wedges, or finish with Greek yoghurt and coriander for a cooler, fresher contrast.
Cuisine style North African-inspired traybake
Spice level Medium
Cooking style Minimal cleanup • Crowd-friendly • Meal prep friendly
Time commitment Under 1 hour

Why this recipe works

  • One-tray cooking: Chicken, vegetables and chickpeas roast together, so the pan juices season the whole dish with minimal washing up.
  • Bold seasoning: Harissa, cumin and lemon give the chicken a warm, tangy and savoury character without needing a long marinade.
  • Good texture contrast: The chicken skin browns on top while the peppers, onions and chickpeas soften underneath in the spiced juices.

Get the most out of this recipe

Adjust the heat

  • For less heat: Use a mild harissa and finish generously with yoghurt and lemon to soften the chilli warmth.
  • For a bolder traybake: Choose a hotter harissa or add a little extra to the coating before roasting.
  • Keep the heat balanced: Taste your harissa before using it; brands vary widely in chilli strength, saltiness and acidity.

Ingredient notes

  • Use bone-in, skin-on thighs: They stay juicy during the high-heat roast and give the best browned skin.
  • Harissa choice matters: Rose harissa tends to be more aromatic, while standard harissa can be sharper and hotter.
  • Finish with lemon: Adding lemon at the end keeps the flavour bright and balances the richness of the chicken juices.

Texture tips

  • Keep the skin exposed: Arrange the chicken skin-side up and avoid covering it with vegetables so it can brown properly.
  • Use a large tray: Spreading everything in a single layer helps the vegetables roast rather than steam.
  • Rest before serving: A short rest lets the juices settle before the chickpeas are tossed through the sauce.

Serving ideas

  • Serve with grains: Couscous, rice or bulgur work well for catching the spiced pan juices.
  • Add a cooling sauce: Greek yoghurt gives contrast to the harissa and makes the traybake feel more complete.
  • Finish fresh: Coriander or flat-leaf parsley adds colour and a clean herbal note just before serving.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Heat the oven to 220°C (430°F). In a large bowl, mix the olive oil, harissa and ground cumin. Finely grate in a little lemon zest, then cut the lemon into wedges and set aside.
  2. Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and turn to coat well. Cut the red onions into wedges and the red peppers into thick strips, then add them to the bowl and toss to coat. Tip everything onto a large baking tray and spread into a single layer, with the chicken skin-side up.
  3. Roast for 25 minutes, then take the tray out and turn the onions and peppers through the pan juices. Drain the chickpeas and scatter them around the chicken, then return to the oven. Roast for 15 minutes more, or until the chicken is deeply browned and cooked through.
  4. Squeeze over a couple of lemon wedges and toss the chickpeas through the spiced juices. Let the traybake rest for 5 minutes, then serve with the remaining lemon wedges. Dollop over the Greek yogurt and finish with fresh coriander, if using.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • For the best browning, make sure the chicken skin is facing up and not covered by the vegetables.
  • If your harissa is very mild, add an extra 1 tbsp harissa for a bolder heat.
  • Food safety: cook the chicken until the juices run clear and the thickest part reaches 75°C (165°F) on a thermometer.

Substitutions

  • Replace Greek yogurt with crème fraîche for a richer finish.
  • Replace fresh coriander with fresh flat-leaf parsley for a different herb note.
  • Replace red pepper with yellow pepper for a slightly sweeter traybake.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat on a baking tray at 180°C (355°F) until piping hot, or microwave in short bursts; add the Greek yogurt and fresh coriander after reheating. Freeze without the Greek yogurt and fresh coriander for best texture.

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Harissa Roast Chicken Traybake
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 55min (15min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: British
  • Allergens:
    Milk
Beginner friendly Freezer friendly

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