* This is a sponsored post for Thermapen *
We have given roast chicken a spicy, but simple, makeover with this harissa and garlic sauce. Perfectly crispy skin with a kick of heat - why not change things up for your next Sunday roast and give this Roasted Harissa Chicken a try. You can even shred it up to add to tacos, salads or sandwiches too.
Roast dinners are a Sunday tradition in households across the world. If you are anything like my family growing up, then roast dinners didn't stray too far from the norm. It was usually a plain roast chicken or beef and then turkey at Christmas of course.
Now we have our own little family, we still stick with the roast dinner on a Sunday tradition, but we try to make something a little different, like this harissa chicken.
We wouldn't cover it with gravy, as you need to let the harissa flavour shine, but it's a great roast chicken alternative. A traditional roast chicken doesn't get much different than with a harissa glaze! Our love of harissa knows no bounds! We even have a recipe for homemade harissa.
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Why you will love it
- A great Sunday roast alternative
- Just 360 calories a serving
- Leftovers are delicious in tacos, sandwiches and salads
- Great for feeding a crowd
- An easy way to use harissa
Step by step
One: Mix together the harissa, honey, oil and lemon juice with some minced garlic.
Two: Smother it on the whole chicken.
Three: Put it in the oven and roast for about an hour and a half, until the chicken is cooked through.
Where does harissa come from?
If you haven't tried, or even heard of, harissa before, then you need to head to the supermarket immediately and stock up on some.
This North African hot red chilli paste can usually be found in a small jar next to the ready made pastes/lazy chilli garlics or in a tube in the world food aisle.
Is this spicy?
The main ingredient is roasted red peppers and that is mixed with chillies, garlic, herbs and spices with a little rose and some oil, so it does have a little bit of a kick to it. It really is a unique flavour and a little goes a long way, so you can use less if you don't like a lot of spice.
How to cook chicken perfectly
Cooking a roast chicken can be a bit of a risk, as you can't see if it is cooked on the inside without hacking in to it and that will spoil your beautifully roasted chicken.
But you don't need to cut into it to see if it is perfectly cooked, you just use a Thermapen to check that it is the perfect temperature.
What is a thermapen?
Using a Thermapen to check that it is the correct temperature, means perfect chicken every time. “With a Thermapen thermometer, you can be sure about the timing of every step and the "done-ness" of every piece of meat you cook.
A key part of the Thermapen’s popularity is its simplicity and ease of use. No buttons to use, no switches to press. Just unfold, probe and read the temperature – very accurately and very FAST!”
Since using a Thermapen, we have never had a undercooked piece of chicken. So, if you are cooking a lot of meat this Christmas, then it is a must. It’s not only meat that it can be used for - it can be used to check the temperature of cakes, caramels, tempering chocolate and so much more, so even more essential for Christmas.
What we also use it for it to check the temperature of leftovers when we have reheated them, to make sure they are not in the bacterial “danger zone”.
We all love leftovers at Christmas, don't we? A Thermapen is a simple but essential kitchen must have, so head on over and order one! You don’t want to be making your Christmas guests sick, do you?!
Will you be having the traditional roast turkey this Christmas? Or do you fancy something a little bit different? Add some of our Easy Roast Potatoes and some roasted carrots to this, and it would make a delicious alternative Christmas dinner. I think we'll make this on Christmas Eve, and then the leftovers will be good for Boxing Day too.
FAQs
We would serve this with some mini roasted potatoes and some freshly steamed vegetables and a creamy dip like our homemade tzatziki on the side. Have some flatbreads or pita handy to stuff everything in to.
Got some chicken left? There is so much that you can do with the leftovers of this harissa roast chicken. We have shredded it up and added it to soft tacos with some slaw and goats cheese. It also goes well in pasta for a quick weeknight meal, or thrown together with some salad for an easy take-to-work lunch.
For ease, we used a whole chicken, but you don't have to. You could use the same sauce and put it on chicken breasts or thighs, but cooking time would vary.
Another way to cook this would be to chop up some chicken breasts, mix the marinade in them and thread on skewers and put them on the BBQ.
More chicken recipes
If you’ve tried this Harissa Chicken, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Harissa Roasted Chicken
Ingredients
- 1.3 kg (3 lb) Whole chicken
- 2 tablespoon Harissa
- 1 tablespoon Runny honey
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 0.5 Lemon - (juice only)
- 2 Garlic clove - crushed
- 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6.
- In a bowl, mix together 2 tablespoon Harissa, 1 tablespoon Runny honey, 1 tablespoon Olive oil, juice of 0.5 Lemon, 2 Garlic clove and 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepper.
- Place 1.3 kg Whole chicken in a baking dish and pour the mixture onto it, rubbing it in well.
- Put the chicken into the oven and cook for around 90 minutes, or until cooked through.
Recipe tips
- If harissa isn't your thing, then you can use any kind of spice blend and follow the recipe in the same way. Pesto chicken works really well.
- Got lots of leftovers? Make tacos or enchiladas with them.
- There is a little bit of spice to this, so if that isn't your thing then use less of it.
- You can use chicken breasts or thighs instead of a whole chicken, but cooking times will vary.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
Uncle Bill
Why are y'all rating a recipe without cooking it first? Silly gooses