* 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!
Jump to:
Why should you try 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.
Extra 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.
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Recipe
Harissa Roasted Chicken
Ingredients
- 1.3 kg whole chicken
- 2 tablespoon harissa
- 1 tablespoon runny honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 0.5 Lemon (juice only)
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepper
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together the harissa, honey, oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper.
- Place the chicken in a baking dish and pour the mixture on to it, rubbing it in well.
- Put the chicken in a preheated oven at 200C and cook until the Thermapen registers the chicken at 74C (around an hour and 30 minutes).
- Serve with some Flatbreads, tzatziki and sprinkle some fresh chopped mint over the chicken.
Notes
- 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.
The London Mum
I've never really known how to use harissa, but that chicken looks amazing so I'll give it a whirl!
colleen kennedy
This looks SO good! Love the flavor of harissa and yes a thermometer is a must a quality one even better! Checking this one out!
Katherine Hackworthy
I'm not a fan of chicken meat but this looks delicious!
Patrick
I have a electric range and while I know some folks hate those,I have no problem with mine. The two main dishes I cook are frozen pizzas and baked chicken. I can certainly understand the importance of making sure your food cooked right,a indoor temp gauge should be used if you're not sure if the dish is undercooked.
Sarah Bailey
Oh yum now that looks like a delicious chicken, I really need to step out of my comfort zone with cooking and give something like this a try!
Tyra
Oh my that looks soooo delicious. I know what will be on our menu soon.
Rebecca | AAUBlog
This looks incredible! I am a big fan of harissa but have never used it on a roast chicken before :)
hannah Wood
My Husband would love it if I made him this as he is so into chicken like this, hmmmm now it is a thought I might surprise him with doing this recipe .
Rhian Westbury
Roast chicken is one of my favourite things to eat and this sounds so yummy. I've made a few dishes with chicken and honey and it gives it such a nice glaze x
Christy
That looks lovely, and such a great tip to use a thermometer to check the temperature rather than cut it open to check. For Christmas dinner my family is very traditional with a basted turkey, but I would love something a little bit more spicy and flavourful myself!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
What a fantastic looking bird. This is perfect for the holidays...everyone doesn't want to cook a turkey. The spice profile is amazing....and that skin....OMG!!!
Adam East
Looks amazing! How did it taste? The Chicken looks perfectly cooked and juicy!
I Will have to try to make some this weekend! Alternatively have a look at https://blastmydeals.com/food/latest
Joyce
These flavours look absolutely fantastic on this chicken! I totally agree with you, you can't go wrong with a meat thermometer - it really does make a HUGE difference and takes the guessing out of making the perfect chicken!! :)
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
I have a harissa chicken recipe, but it only uses the thighs -- this one looks amazing.
Julia
This is one good looking roasted chicken :) Love the crispy skin!
Annie @ Annie's Noms
Yep, we keep out roasts pretty boring! - I don't know why though, I guess we just think "Oh we'll have a roast on Sunday" and then we just roast the meat and have all the same sides - it can get a bit samey. I am loving the look of this Harissa chicken though - it looks so tasty and succulent and I love the addition of honey too!
Susie @ Suzlyfe
YOu know i love me my harissa...
Renee
I am definitely trying this next Sunday for our roast. I have never had harissa before, but I love spicy food.
Iris
What a great idea. I am so bored of plain dry turkey for Christmas, so I might make this. You wouldn't have gravy with it though would you?
WillFlirtForFood
Oh my goodness this looks so good. I usually make a roast chicken on a sunday but am going to mix it up and try this!