Chicken Baked with Orange Spiced Harissa Sauce

Infuse your dinner table with bold North African-inspired flavors by preparing this irresistibly fragrant Chicken Baked with Orange Spiced Harissa Sauce. Tender, bone-in chicken thighs are marinated in a vibrant blend of harissa paste, freshly squeezed orange juice, honey, and warm spices like cumin and coriander, creating a sauce that’s equal parts smoky, tangy, and subtly sweet. The dish bakes to golden perfection, with crispy skin that locks in juicy, spice-rich meat, while the orange zest adds a touch of brightness. Best of all, this recipe comes together in just under an hour, making it perfect for a weeknight meal or an elegant dinner party centerpiece. Garnished with fresh parsley and optional orange slices, it pairs beautifully with sides like fluffy couscous, roasted veggies, or a crisp green salad for a truly unforgettable meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces Chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
• 3 tablespoons Harissa paste
• 0.25 cup Orange juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 teaspoon Orange zest
• 1 tablespoon Honey
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Ground coriander
• 2 pieces Garlic cloves (minced)
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
• 4 slices Orange slices (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 2

In a bowl, mix the harissa paste, orange juice, orange zest, honey, ground cumin, ground coriander, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and black pepper to create the marinade.

Step 3

Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin, then place them in a large baking dish.

Step 4

Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure each piece is well coated. If time permits, let the chicken marinate for 15-30 minutes for deeper flavor.

Step 5

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken skin is golden and a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F (74°C).

Step 6

Halfway through cooking, baste the chicken with the juices in the dish to enhance the flavor and maintain moisture.

Step 7

Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes.

Step 8

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and optional orange slices before serving.

Step 9

Serve the chicken with your choice of side dishes, such as couscous, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(897.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1771.8

Total Fat 128.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 31.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 486mg	0%
Sodium 3423.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 49.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.6g	0%
Total Sugars 36.6g
Protein 113.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 209.3mg	0%
Iron 10.3mg	0%
Potassium 1739.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 63.8%

Protein: 25.2%

Carbs: 11.0%