If you’re craving a vibrant, flavorful dinner that comes together with ease, this Honey Harissa Chicken Sheet Pan Recipe is a total winner. Imagine juicy, crispy chicken thighs coated in a spicy, mildly smoky harissa and honey glaze, roasting above tender baby potatoes and fresh baby broccoli, all infused with bold, aromatic spices. This one-pan wonder makes weeknight dinners feel special without the fuss, delivering warmth, sweetness, and a bit of heat in every bite. Plus, the tahini sauce drizzle and sesame seeds add that luxurious touch that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting ready to make this Honey Harissa Chicken Sheet Pan Recipe means gathering a handful of simple, fresh ingredients that each bring their own magic. From the spicy harissa paste that ignites the flavor to the honey that balances the heat with sweetness, every item contributes to the dish’s perfect harmony of taste, texture, and color.
- Mild harissa paste: Provides the smoky, spicy base essential for that signature flavor.
- Extra-virgin olive oil: Helps coat and roast the ingredients to golden perfection while adding richness.
- Kosher salt: Enhances every flavor and ensures the chicken skin crisps up beautifully.
- Garlic powder: Adds savory depth without overpowering the dish.
- Onion powder: Complements the garlic with subtle sweetness and warmth.
- Baby potatoes, halved: Roast up tender inside with a crisp exterior, soaking up all those spices.
- Honey, warmed: Sweetens the harissa for a perfect balance of spicy and sweet.
- Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs: The star protein—juicy and flavorful with crisp skin when roasted.
- Baby broccoli: Adds a fresh, slightly bitter crunch that rounds out the meal.
- Tahini: Creamy sesame paste for making the sauce that ties the whole dish together.
- Soy sauce or tamari: Brings umami and depth to the tahini sauce.
- Garlic cloves, grated: Fresh garlic punch enhancing the tahini sauce.
- Black sesame seeds: For a beautiful, nutty garnish.
- Fresh parsley, minced: Brightens with a burst of color and herbaceous flavor.
- Couscous: A quick-cooking grain that’s the perfect base to soak up all the saucy goodness.
How to Make Honey Harissa Chicken Sheet Pan Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F and placing the rack in the center position to ensure even cooking. This sets the stage for roasting your chicken and veggies to crispy, caramelized perfection.
Step 2: Season and Roast the Potatoes
In a large bowl, mix the mild harissa paste, olive oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, garlic powder, and onion powder to create a fragrant, spicy marinade. Toss the halved baby potatoes into this mixture, coating them completely to soak up those bold flavors. Lay the potatoes cut-side down on a rimmed baking sheet. Arranging them like this helps develop a gorgeous golden crust.
Step 3: Coat the Chicken with Honey-Harissa Glaze
To the same bowl that held your harissa mixture, add warmed honey and another teaspoon of salt, stirring to combine. Toss the chicken thighs in this sticky, spicy glaze until each piece is beautifully coated. This layering of flavors is what makes this Honey Harissa Chicken Sheet Pan Recipe sing.
Step 4: Roast Chicken Above Potatoes
Set a cooling rack over the potatoes on the baking sheet, then arrange the coated chicken thighs on the rack. This clever setup lets the chicken crisp up without sitting in its own juices, while the drippings flavor the potatoes below. Roast everything for 40-45 minutes until the chicken skin is irresistibly crispy and the meat is cooked through.
Step 5: Add Broccoli for Final Roasting
Once the chicken is done, transfer it to a platter and remove the cooling rack. Toss the baby broccoli with the potatoes and pop the sheet pan back in the oven for another 10 minutes. This last step cooks the broccoli just enough to stay tender and vibrant, bringing a fresh pop of green to your dish.
Step 6: Whisk Up the Tahini Sauce
While everything roasts, combine tahini, ¼ cup water, soy sauce or tamari, grated garlic, and the remaining salt in a small bowl. Whisk until silky smooth. This creamy, savory sauce adds a heavenly layer of flavor that pairs perfectly with the spicy chicken and roasted veggies.
Step 7: Serve With Style
Drizzle the tahini sauce over the chicken and sprinkle black sesame seeds and fresh parsley on top for a final flourish. Serve alongside fluffy couscous to soak up every last drop of sauce and pan juices, completing this beautiful meal.
How to Serve Honey Harissa Chicken Sheet Pan Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes like freshly minced parsley and black sesame seeds brighten both flavor and presentation. The parsley adds a fresh, herbaceous note that cuts through the richness, while the sesame seeds bring extra nuttiness and crunch. These small touches turn the meal into a feast for the eyes and palate alike.
Side Dishes
This dish shines served alongside fluffy couscous, which absorbs the spicy-sweet juices wonderfully. For something lighter, a crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette complements the bold flavors perfectly. You could also serve it with warm, crusty bread to sop up the tahini sauce and any drippings—utterly satisfying and comforting.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist on the classic, try serving the chicken and veggies in individual ramekins over couscous for a restaurant-style plating. Alternatively, pile the roasted chicken, potatoes, and broccoli on a large communal platter for a cozy family-style meal that invites everyone to dig in together. No matter how it’s plated, this Honey Harissa Chicken Sheet Pan Recipe will impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover chicken, potatoes, and broccoli in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping the tahini sauce separate helps maintain its fresh flavor and texture. When you’re ready to enjoy leftovers, you’ll find the flavors meld even more beautifully overnight.
Freezing
If you want to freeze leftovers, place the cooled chicken and veggies in a freezer-safe container, preferably without the tahini sauce, for up to 2 months. Freeze couscous separately if possible. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to keep the best texture.
Reheating
Reheat the chicken and veggies in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes to restore crispiness, or gently in a skillet over medium heat. Warm the tahini sauce separately and drizzle on top just before serving. Avoid the microwave for best texture, but if needed, heat gently to prevent drying out.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Chicken thighs are preferred for this recipe because their higher fat content keeps them juicy and flavorful during roasting. If you use breasts, watch the cooking time closely to avoid drying out since breasts cook faster and are leaner.
How spicy is the harissa in this recipe?
This recipe uses mild harissa paste, which has a gentle heat combined with smoky and sweet notes. The honey also tones down the spice, making it accessible for most palates. You can always adjust the spice level by choosing a hotter or milder harissa, or adding extra honey to soften the heat.
Can I make the tahini sauce nut-free?
If you need a nut-free alternative, you can try replacing tahini with sunflower seed butter or a yogurt-based sauce spiced similarly. Keep in mind the flavor profile will change, but you’ll retain a creamy, savory component.
Is this dish gluten-free?
The Honey Harissa Chicken Sheet Pan Recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari and serve it without couscous or with a gluten-free grain alternative like quinoa.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can marinate the chicken in the honey-harissa mixture up to 24 hours ahead to deepen the flavors. Just assemble the sheet pan and roast when ready. The tahini sauce is best made fresh but can be whisked up a few hours ahead and stored in the fridge.
Final Thoughts
This Honey Harissa Chicken Sheet Pan Recipe is one of those rare finds that’s both stunningly delicious and incredibly easy to pull together. Whether you’re cooking for family or friends, it’s sure to become a favorite thanks to its perfect balance of spice, sweetness, and savory richness. Give it a try and watch it quickly become your go-to weeknight hero!
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Honey Harissa Chicken Sheet Pan Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Description
This Honey Harissa Chicken Sheet Pan recipe features tender, crispy chicken thighs roasted alongside baby potatoes and broccoli, all coated in a flavorful harissa and honey glaze. Finished with a creamy tahini sauce and sprinkled with black sesame seeds and fresh parsley, this vibrant Middle Eastern-inspired dish is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or casual gathering. Serve with fluffy couscous for a complete, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- ¾ cup mild harissa paste
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 pound baby potatoes, halved
- 2 tablespoons honey, warmed
- 3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 bunch baby broccoli
Tahini Sauce
- ⅓ cup tahini
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
- 2 garlic cloves, grated
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (from total)
Garnish & Serving
- 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, minced
- Couscous for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and position the rack in the center to ensure even roasting.
- Prepare the Potatoes: In a large bowl, combine the harissa paste, olive oil, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss the halved baby potatoes in this mixture until well coated. Spread the potatoes cut-side down evenly on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Prepare the Chicken: To the same bowl, add the warmed honey and another teaspoon of kosher salt and stir to integrate with the harissa mixture. Add the chicken thighs and toss until the chicken is fully coated with the glaze.
- Arrange and Roast: Place a cooling rack over the potatoes on the baking sheet. Arrange the floured chicken thighs on the rack. Roast everything in the oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the chicken skin is crispy and the meat is cooked through. Remove the chicken to a large platter and take off the cooling rack.
- Roast the Broccoli: Toss the baby broccoli with the potatoes remaining on the sheet pan and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender and slightly roasted. Transfer the vegetables to the platter with the chicken.
- Make the Tahini Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, ¼ cup water, soy sauce or tamari, grated garlic, and the remaining ½ teaspoon kosher salt until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Drizzle the tahini sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Finish by sprinkling black sesame seeds and fresh parsley on top. Serve the dish alongside cooked couscous for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use mild harissa paste for a gentler heat, or substitute with spicy harissa if you prefer more kick.
- Warming the honey helps it blend smoothly with the harissa mixture.
- Using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs ensures more flavor and juiciness.
- If you don’t have a cooling rack, you can arrange the chicken directly on top of the potatoes but it may not be as crispy underneath.
- Adjust salt levels according to your dietary needs.
- This recipe can be made gluten-free by serving with gluten-free couscous alternatives like quinoa or cauliflower rice.