Harissa-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Lemon Potatoes

Harissa-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Lemon Potatoes

Mia

This vibrant one-pan Mediterranean dinner showcases the bold, complex flavors of North African harissa paste paired with succulent chicken thighs and golden roasted potatoes. The harissa—a fiery blend of chili peppers, garlic, and warm spices—creates a beautifully caramelized crust on the chicken while infusing it with layers of smoky, spicy flavor. Meanwhile, baby potatoes roast alongside, absorbing the rendered chicken fat and bright lemon juice to create crispy exteriors and fluffy interiors.

What makes this dish truly special is its perfect balance of heat and brightness. The harissa brings warmth without overwhelming spice, while fresh lemon juice and zest cut through the richness, creating a harmonious flavor profile that's quintessentially Mediterranean. Chicken thighs remain incredibly juicy thanks to their higher fat content, making them nearly impossible to overcook and far more forgiving than chicken breasts.

This recipe embodies the principles of the Mediterranean Diet with its emphasis on olive oil, fresh herbs, citrus, and lean proteins. It's a complete meal that requires minimal prep work and just one pan, making cleanup a breeze. The result is restaurant-quality chicken with crispy, golden skin and tender meat that pulls away from the bone effortlessly.

Perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining, this dish fills your kitchen with intoxicating aromas and delivers bold flavors that will transport you straight to the sun-drenched coasts of the Mediterranean. Serve with a simple green salad or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful pan juices.

Nutrition

1 hour
None servings
485 calories
Fat 28.00g
Carbs 24.00g
Protein 35.00g

Ingredients

8 piecesbone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, patted dry
1.5 lbsbaby potatoes, halved
3 tbspharissa paste
5 tbspextra virgin olive oil, divided
1 largelemon, zested and juiced
4 clovesgarlic cloves, minced
2 tspfresh thyme, chopped
1.5 tspkosher salt
1 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
2 tbspfresh parsley, chopped (optional)
1 lemonlemon wedges, cut into wedges (optional)

Equipment

Cutting board
measuring spoons
paper towels
small mixing bowl
large mixing bowl
chef's knife
meat thermometer
zester or microplane
large rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan

16:8 Diet

This balanced, nutrient-dense meal is perfect for the 16:8 eating window, providing substantial protein from chicken thighs, complex carbohydrates from potatoes, and healthy fats from olive oil to sustain energy and satiety. The whole-food ingredients deliver complete nutrition without processed components, helping you meet daily needs within the compressed timeframe.

80/20 Diet

This recipe perfectly embodies the 80/20 principle with nutrient-dense whole foods—chicken, potatoes, olive oil, fresh herbs, and lemon—comprising well over 80% of the ingredients, while the harissa paste adds flavorful complexity in the remaining portion. It's anti-inflammatory, fiber-rich, and minimally processed while still being incredibly satisfying.

Clean Eating

This recipe exemplifies clean eating principles with its use of whole, minimally processed ingredients including fresh chicken, baby potatoes, extra virgin olive oil, fresh herbs, and real spices. It contains no refined sugars, artificial additives, preservatives, or processed ingredients—just recognizable whole foods prepared simply.

Flexitarian Diet

This recipe fits the Flexitarian approach by featuring poultry in moderate portions alongside substantial plant-based components including potatoes, herbs, and lemon. The emphasis on whole foods, olive oil, and vegetables with minimal processing aligns perfectly with flexitarian principles of primarily plant-focused eating with occasional quality animal proteins.

Gluten-Free Diet

This recipe is naturally gluten-free, containing only chicken, potatoes, olive oil, harissa paste, lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs—all ingredients that are free from wheat, barley, rye, and gluten-containing grains. It's a safe and delicious option for those avoiding gluten without requiring any special substitutions.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This recipe supports heart health by using extra virgin olive oil as the primary fat source, emphasizing lean poultry protein, and incorporating potassium-rich potatoes and anti-inflammatory garlic and herbs. The cooking method allows excess fat to render away, and the absence of processed ingredients, trans fats, and excessive sodium makes it cardiovascular-protective.

High-Protein Diet

This recipe is excellent for high-protein diets, with 8 chicken thighs providing approximately 30-40 grams of protein per serving. The lean protein is complemented by moderate complex carbohydrates and healthy fats, making it a balanced, protein-forward meal that supports muscle maintenance and satiety.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense, whole-food recipe is excellent for intermittent fasting eating windows, providing high-quality protein from chicken thighs, complex carbohydrates from potatoes, and healthy fats from olive oil to promote satiety and stable blood sugar throughout fasting periods. The meal is unprocessed and balanced to maximize nutritional value during limited eating times.

Intuitive Eating

This satisfying, flavorful recipe supports Intuitive Eating by offering a balanced, nourishing meal that honors both taste and nutrition without restriction or guilt. The combination of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats provides genuine satisfaction and fullness, encouraging a positive relationship with food.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe is a quintessential Mediterranean dish that emphasizes extra virgin olive oil as the primary fat, features poultry as a lean protein source, and incorporates fresh herbs, garlic, and lemon for flavoring. The use of whole baby potatoes, minimal processing, and the absence of refined ingredients or processed meats makes it perfectly aligned with Mediterranean dietary principles.

Mindful Eating

This recipe is ideal for mindful eating with its vibrant colors, aromatic spices, varied textures from crispy skin and tender meat, and bold Mediterranean flavors that engage all the senses. The whole-food ingredients and simple preparation encourage slow, conscious appreciation of each component's unique taste and texture.

Paleo Diet

This recipe is fully Paleo-compliant, featuring only whole, unprocessed ingredients including chicken, potatoes, olive oil, and fresh herbs—all foods that would have been available to hunter-gatherers. It contains no grains, legumes, dairy, refined sugars, or processed ingredients, making it an ideal ancestral eating choice.

Primal Blueprint

This recipe aligns perfectly with Primal Blueprint principles by featuring high-quality chicken, healthy fats from olive oil, non-starchy vegetables in the form of herbs and garlic, and potatoes as an acceptable starch source. It completely avoids grains, legumes, refined sugars, and processed ingredients while delivering satisfying, nutrient-dense nutrition.

Primal Diet

This recipe is fully Primal-compliant, featuring pasture-raised chicken, potatoes (an acceptable starch in Primal eating), extra virgin olive oil, and fresh herbs without any grains, legumes, refined sugars, or processed ingredients. It emphasizes whole, nutrient-dense foods that support metabolic health and reduce inflammation.

Instructions

1

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and position the rack in the middle of the oven.

1 min
2

Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels, ensuring the skin is moisture-free for maximum crispiness.

2 min
3

In a small bowl, combine the harissa paste, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, half the lemon juice (about 2 tablespoons), chopped thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Mix thoroughly to create a marinade.

2 min
4

Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl and pour the harissa marinade over them. Using your hands, massage the marinade into the chicken, ensuring each thigh is thoroughly coated, getting under the skin where possible.

2 min
5

In a separate bowl, toss the halved baby potatoes with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, remaining lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper until evenly coated.

2 min
6

Arrange the seasoned potatoes in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan, cut-side down for maximum crispiness.

1 min
7

Nestle the harissa-coated chicken thighs among the potatoes, skin-side up, spacing them evenly to allow for proper air circulation and browning.

1 min
8

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast for 40-45 minutes, or until the chicken skin is deeply golden and crispy, the internal temperature reaches 175°F, and the potatoes are tender and caramelized.

45 min
9

Remove the pan from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.

5 min
10

Transfer the chicken thighs and potatoes to a serving platter, garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired, and serve with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing.

2 min

Frequently Asked Questions