Sheet Pan Harissa-Roasted Chicken with Lemon and Olives

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken thighs roasted with smoky harissa, plump olives, and zesty lemon for a vibrant one-pan meal. This mediterranean-inspired sheet pan (gluten-free) ready in about 40 minutes pairs 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 420 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 420 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and place in a single layer on a parchment-lined sheet pan.
  2. Step 2: Whisk harissa paste, 2 tbsp olive oil, lemon zest, minced garlic, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Rub mixture evenly over chicken thighs.
  3. Step 3: Scatter olives and remaining 1 tbsp olive oil around chicken. Roast for 25-30 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internally and edges are golden.
  4. Step 4: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over chicken and serve immediately with roasted vegetables.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sheet Pan Harissa-Roasted Chicken with Lemon and Olives take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Sheet Pan Harissa-Roasted Chicken with Lemon and Olives?

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 chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sheet Pan Harissa-Roasted Chicken with Lemon and Olives?

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 Sheet Pan Harissa-Roasted Chicken with Lemon and Olives 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 Sheet Pan Harissa-Roasted Chicken with Lemon and Olives 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes