Peri-Peri Chicken (Piri-Piri Chicken)

Craving something bold, spicy, and super delicious? I have something for you. You are going to fall in love with Peri Peri Chicken!

What is Peri-Peri Chicken (Piri Piri Chicken)

Peri Peri Chicken is a fiery, flavorful grilled chicken dish. It is marinated in a zesty blend of garlic, chilies, lemon, and herbs, perfectly charred and irresistibly juicy.

This is a delicious, traditional, spicy African chicken dish originating in Portugal and Mozambique. Its signature heat comes from the African bird's-eye chili, or "piri-piri," which means "pepper-pepper" in Swahili.

Peri Peri Chicken is an absolute showstopper. Perfect for summer BBQs, family dinners, or impressing your friends.

For those who don't know, Nando's is a South African restaurant chain that specializes in Portuguese-African cuisine, including its signature dish: flame-grilled peri-peri Chicken.

I first tasted peri peri chicken when I travelled to the United Kingdom a few years back. Although I had heard a lot about Nando’s Chicken, the restaurant that makes this dish. I fell in love at first bite, so I decided to recreate it.

The peri-peri sauce uses bird's-eye chilies. When mixed with other ingredients, the heat becomes milder. This creates a flavor you will enjoy.

With this recipe, you will taste spice, but it won’t overpower your senses.

Why This Recipe Works

• Bold, smoky flavor thanks to chili, garlic, lemon, and herbs
• Simple ingredients, big impact—perfect for home cooks
• Make-ahead friendly: Marinate overnight for maximum flavor
• Versatile: Grill, roast, or even air fry

Making Peri Peri Chicken At Home

Peri peri chicken is easy to make at home. You probably have the ingredients on hand or can find them at your local store.

Never underestimate the spice level of bird's eye chilies. I can say for myself that I handle spicy food quite well, but these chilies are on another level. My first trial was quite spicy for me. Over time, I learned to adjust the heat by mixing in sweet bell peppers, reducing the amount of chilies, and adding more lemon juice. Now, it's a fail-proof recipe loved by everyone in my family. Especially during BBQ season.

This chicken recipe will definitely have people asking for more! This version is made in the oven, but the same recipe can also be used for the grilled version. It's so good!

While this chicken recipe is spicy, it’s not overpoweringly spicy. In my recipe below, I suggest adding more or fewer birds-eye chilies to your peri peri chicken. This way, you can adjust it to your taste.

Watch How to make Peri Peri chicken below:

https://youtu.be/D40hBEB56oI

What's the difference between Peri-peri and Piri Piri and pili pili?

You may be wondering what the difference is between peri peri chicken, piri piri chicken, and pili pili. All these variations describe the same recipe.  The only difference is how it's pronounced by people in different parts of Africa. 

What is Peri-Peri Sauce?

The peri-peri sauce is used as a seasoning or marinade, and the birds-eye chili is the key ingredient to Peri-Peri sauce. This is what gives this dish a spicy kick. It is rich in Vitamins A, B, and C. This spicy pepper is known to enhance your mood due to the bird's-eye chili containing capsaicin.

The Peri-peri Sauce is made from peri-peri chilis which are also known as the birds-eye chili. The recipe for this sauce varies from region to region depending on intended use (seasoning or marinade). However, the key ingredients are the birds-eye chilis, garlic, oil, seasonings, and an acidic base like lemon, lime, or vinegar.

What goes with piri-piri?

Peri-peri chicken pairs so well with salad, fries, instant brown rice, Chakalaka, fried plantains, Potato wedges, Baked Sweet Potato, mashed potatoes, and it's also good for wraps!

Ingredients for making Peri-peri Chicken

• Chicken quarters: This cut is my first choice because it stays juicy and tender when I marinate and cook it. You can use any chicken part you prefer, but note that cook time will vary.
• Red bell pepper: adds a natural sweetness and mild flavor to balance the intense heat of the bird's eye chilies.
• Bird's eye chilies are the main source of heat for this recipe, but you can also use Peri Peri chili peppers.
• Garlic: adds a rich, aromatic flavor to the sauce. Its savory, spicy taste enhances the depth of the sauce.
• Onion: adds a mild sweetness to the sauce’s flavor.
• Sprigs or dried thyme: adds an earthy, slightly minty note and fragrant depth to the sauce.
• Black pepper: adds mild heat and a slight sharpness.
• Salt: enhances the chicken's flavor.
• Paprika adds a deep, smoky flavor. It also brings a subtle sweetness that highlights the smokiness.
• Vinegar: adds brightness and helps preserve the sauce. It also helps tenderize the meat, making it more succulent.
• Lemon Juice: provides a fresh citrusy zing that balances the heat and complements the garlic and spices.
• Olive oil: adds a smooth, rich texture to the sauce. It also helps to distribute the marinade evenly and keeps the chicken moist during cooking.
• Bouillon cube: makes the chicken even more flavorful.

Spice Level Adjustments

I added 4 Birds eye chilies in this recipe which is the medium heat level but you can reduce or increase the number of chilies you use depending on your heat tolerance level.

• 2 Chilies will be mild heat level
• 4 Chilis will be medium heat level
• 6 chilis will be hot - your choice!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use store-bought Peri Peri sauce?
Yes, but homemade sauce offers fresher, more vibrant flavors.

Can I make it less spicy?
Use fewer chilies and more red bell peppers for a milder version.

Notes:

1. Don't discard the marinade. It's the life of the chicken. It would be best if you basted the chicken during cooking.
2. Be sure to marinate for at least 1 hour so the flavor can really infuse the chicken. 
3. I made my Chicken in the oven, and it came out so well, but the outdoor grill works just as well.
4. If your hands are very sensitive to hot pepper, then it's good to use a glove when mixing the marinade with the chicken.
5. Don’t skip the resting time—it keeps the chicken juicy!
6. Feel free to store any leftover marinade in the Freezer. It stores really well.

Other Chicken recipes

• How to make chicken Fried Rice
• Crispy Fried Chicken Recipe
• Chicken Samosa
• Perfect Juicy Baked Chicken Breasts
• Jamaican Jerk Chicken wings
• Easy Baked Chicken Drumsticks
• Dry Rub Spice Baked Chicken Wings
• 20 Delicious Grilled Chicken Recipes

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If you make this Peri Peri Chicken recipe, I’d love to see pictures of your creations on Instagram or Facebook. #cheflolaskitchen