Harissa-Spiced Roasted Chicken with Sweet Potatoes
Chicken thighs and sweet potatoes roasted to golden perfection in a smoky harissa-spiced glaze. This north african-inspired chicken ready in about 65 minutes pairs medium sweet potatoes, olive oil, harissa paste for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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
- 4 bone-in, skin-on (1.5 lbs total) chicken thighs
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp harissa paste
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut 2 medium sweet potatoes into 1-inch cubes and place in a large bowl with 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (1.5 lbs total), 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp harissa paste, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper; toss until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Transfer mixture to a baking dish, spreading in a single layer. Pour 1/2 cup chicken stock around the edges of the dish.
- Step 3: Roast for 45-50 minutes, or until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internally and sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Step 4: Let rest 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Harissa-Spiced Roasted Chicken with Sweet Potatoes take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 Roasted Chicken with Sweet Potatoes?
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 medium sweet potatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Harissa-Spiced Roasted Chicken with Sweet Potatoes?
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 Roasted Chicken with Sweet Potatoes 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.
What goes well with Harissa-Spiced Roasted Chicken with Sweet Potatoes?
North African chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
- ★★★★★
Love how the North African come through in every bite.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
