Harissa Chicken Tray Bake

There’s something deeply satisfying about a one-pan meal, and this Harissa Chicken Tray Bake is no exception. With juicy, harissa-spiced chicken, caramelised sweet potatoes, and vibrant peppers, this dish delivers big flavours with minimal effort. Perfect for busy weeknights, it requires just a handful of ingredients and comes together in under 40 minutes.

Whether you’re new to harissa or already a fan, this recipe is an excellent way to enjoy its rich, smoky depth without complicated prep. The combination of rose harissa, honey, and lemon zest creates a balance of heat, sweetness, and brightness that makes every bite irresistible.

Table of Contents

• Ingredient Breakdown
• Choosing the Right Harissa
• The Key to Perfectly Roasted Vegetables
• The Role of Honey in Balancing Spice
• Serving Suggestions
• Make This Dish Meal-Prep Friendly
• More Tray Bake Recipes

Ingredient Breakdown

• Chicken thigh fillets: Tender, juicy, and full of flavour. Perfect for high-heat roasting.
• Rose harissa paste: A fragrant, smoky chilli paste with floral undertones, adding warmth and depth.
• Lemon zest: Enhances the harissa with a bright, citrusy lift.
• Garlic: Infuses the chicken with savoury depth and a rich aroma.
• Fine sea salt: Helps season and draw out natural flavours.
• Sweet potatoes: Naturally sweet and creamy, they roast to perfection with crispy edges.
• Red sweet pointed peppers: Mild, slightly smoky, and vibrant, they balance the richness of the dish.
• Onion: Caramelises beautifully while adding subtle sweetness and depth.
• Rose harissa paste: Coats the vegetables with a spicy, aromatic kick.
• Honey: Drizzled at the end for a glossy, caramelised finish.

Choosing the Right Harissa

Harissa is the star ingredient of this Harissa Chicken Tray Bake, but not all harissas are the same. Different brands and regions offer unique variations, ranging from spicy and smoky to mild and floral. Understanding these differences helps you select the right one for your taste preference.

• Rose Harissa: This variety includes dried rose petals, which soften the heat while adding a subtle floral sweetness. It’s perfect for those who enjoy a well-balanced spice level with hints of complexity.
• Traditional Harissa: Made from dried red chillies, garlic, coriander, and caraway, this version leans towards intense heat and deep smokiness. It’s ideal for those who love bold, fiery flavours.
• Mild Harissa: Some store-bought harissas are blended with tomatoes or roasted peppers, which tone down the spice while maintaining a rich, aromatic depth.

For this recipe, rose harissa works best, as its floral notes complement the honey glaze and caramelised vegetables. However, if you prefer more heat, try a spicier version or mix in a little extra chilli paste to intensify the kick.

The Key to Perfectly Roasted Vegetables

The vegetables in this dish are just as important as the chicken, and getting them right is essential for balance. The key lies in cutting them to the right size and ensuring they have enough space on the tray.

• Sweet potatoes should be diced small: This ensures they roast evenly and caramelise rather than steam.
• Peppers should be in larger chunks: Keeping them slightly bigger prevents them from overcooking and losing texture.
• Onions should be sliced, not diced: Larger slices allow them to soften and caramelise without burning.

To avoid soggy vegetables, spread them out in a single layer. If the tray is overcrowded, they’ll release moisture and steam instead of roasting properly. Using two smaller trays instead of one overcrowded tray ensures even caramelisation.

The Role of Honey in Balancing Spice

Honey may seem like a simple finishing touch, but in this Harissa Chicken Tray Bake, it plays a crucial role in balancing flavours. The sweetness counteracts the bold spice of harissa, ensuring the dish remains complex without becoming overpowering.

Beyond balance, honey also affects texture and caramelisation. When brushed over the chicken and grilled for the final few minutes, the natural sugars in honey caramelise quickly, forming a glossy, golden crust. This slight charring enhances the dish by adding depth and a subtle smokiness that pairs beautifully with the roasted vegetables.

Honey also helps to round out acidity from the lemon zest and harissa paste, creating a smoother, more harmonious flavour profile. The key is not to add it too early. If exposed to high heat for too long, honey can burn, leading to a bitter aftertaste. Brushing it on just before grilling ensures the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and spicy.

Serving Suggestions

This Harissa Chicken Tray Bake is delicious straight from the oven, but a few simple additions can make it even better:

• A cooling yoghurt sauce: Mix Greek yoghurt with lemon juice, garlic, and a pinch of salt for a refreshing contrast.
• Fresh herbs: Scatter chopped coriander or mint over the top for added brightness.
• Flatbreads or couscous: Serve with warm flatbreads to scoop up the harissa-infused juices, or alongside fluffy couscous for a complete meal.

This dish is hearty enough on its own, but these simple sides help round out the flavours and textures beautifully.

Make This Dish Meal-Prep Friendly

One of the best things about this Harissa Chicken Tray Bake is how easily it fits into meal prep routines. With minimal effort, you can prepare several portions in advance, ensuring quick and flavourful meals throughout the week.

For easy meal prep:

• Marinate the chicken the night before: Letting the harissa, garlic, and lemon zest infuse overnight enhances flavour while making cooking even faster.
• Chop the vegetables ahead of time: Store them in an airtight container in the fridge so they’re ready to roast when needed.
• Make extra portions: Roast a double batch and store leftovers in individual meal containers for a grab-and-go option.
• Reheat the right way: Warm leftovers in an oven at 180°C for 10–15 minutes to maintain crispiness. Microwaving works in a pinch but may soften the textures slightly.

You can also repurpose leftovers: shredded harissa chicken makes a fantastic wrap filling, while roasted vegetables can be tossed into grain bowls or salads for a fresh, vibrant lunch.

More Tray Bake Recipes

There’s something so satisfying about making a meal in just one tray (not to mention it saves on the washing up!). So if you enjoyed this Harissa Chicken Tray Bake, I have some more recipes just like it for you to try:

• Harissa Veggie Tray Bake: Bold flavours and lots of veggies. Loaded with sweet potatoes, chickpeas, peppers, tenderstem broccoli and onions, tossed in rose harissa, lemon zest and garlic.
• Smoky Chicken and Chorizo Tray Bake: This Spanish-inspired tray bake combines the delicious smoky flavours of chorizo with smoked paprika, garlic, chicken, potatoes, peppers and onions.
• Peri Peri Salmon Tray Bake: Succulent salmon. Golden brown, crispy potatoes. Slightly charred tenderstem broccoli. Perfectly seasoned with a tasty 5-ingredient homemade peri peri spice mix.

See how I make all these recipes and more over on my Instagram!