Harissa-Spiced Chicken with Chickpeas and Roasted Vegetables
A North African-inspired dish with harissa-marinated chicken thighs roasted alongside chickpeas and a medley of vegetables. This mediterranean-inspired chicken (gluten free) ready in about 55 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, harissa paste, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 6 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp harissa paste
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed canned chickpeas
- 1 large, sliced red bell pepper
- 2 medium, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds zucchini
- 1 medium, cut into wedges red onion
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- for serving lemon wedges
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a large bowl, combine 3 tbsp harissa paste with 2 tbsp olive oil. Add 6 bone-in chicken thighs and coat thoroughly. Let marinate at room temperature for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: In a large roasting pan, toss 1 can (15 oz) drained chickpeas, 1 sliced large red bell pepper, 2 sliced medium zucchinis, and 1 cut medium red onion with remaining 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: Nestle the marinated chicken thighs on top of the vegetables and chickpeas. Roast for 35-40 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and skin is crispy, stirring vegetables halfway through cooking.
- Step 4: Remove from oven and sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Serve hot with lemon wedges to squeeze over the top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Harissa-Spiced Chicken with Chickpeas and Roasted Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Harissa-Spiced Chicken with Chickpeas and Roasted Vegetables?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Harissa-Spiced Chicken with Chickpeas and Roasted Vegetables?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Harissa-Spiced Chicken with Chickpeas and Roasted Vegetables for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Harissa-Spiced Chicken with Chickpeas and Roasted Vegetables gluten free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.