Peri Peri Chicken is deliciously spicy and surprisingly easy to make at home, bringing a taste of restaurant-quality dining to your kitchen.
Peri peri chicken is packed with bold, citrusy, and spicy flavors you can easily customize to suit your heat preference. Whether baked or grilled, it stays juicy and tender, bringing restaurant-quality flavor to your table.
My take on this classic dish is even better than the Nandos recipe — simple, straightforward steps lead to crispy, golden perfection. If you love spicy chicken, this recipe is a must-try!
Why You’ll Love Our Peri Peri Chicken
- Packed with Flavor: If you love bold, savory dishes, this will quickly become one of your favorites.
- Easy to Make: Don’t let the marinade fool you — it’s mostly hands-off time. With under an hour of actual cooking, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
- Great for Leftovers: Leftovers? Yes, please! The flavors only get better with time, making reheated portions just as delicious. Easy to store, nothing goes to waste, and you’ll enjoy it all over again!
How to Make Peri Peri Chicken
Prepare the Sauce – Add all the peri peri sauce ingredients to a blender or food processor. Pulse until smooth, then transfer to a small saucepan and simmer for 10 minutes to deepen the flavors.
Marinate the Chicken – Place your chicken (thighs, wings, or drumsticks) in a large bowl. Pour the sauce over it, ensuring every piece is well coated. Cover the bowl with cling wrap and marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight for maximum flavor.
Preheat- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Bake – Arrange the marinated chicken on a large baking tray. Pour ½ cup of water into the tray to keep the chicken juicy while it bakes. Bake for about 40 minutes or until golden brown and fully cooked. For extra flavor, consider grilling instead of baking.
Pro Tips
Bone-in chicken pieces like drumsticks or thighs are ideal for this recipe—they stay moist and absorb the flavors beautifully!
Ensure Chicken is Fully Cooked: For safety, make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F. An instant-read thermometer is an easy way to check.
Adjust the Heat: Love extra spice? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the marinade. Start with ½ teaspoon, taste, and adjust to your heat preference.
Extra Sauce, Extra Flavor: Prepare a bit more peri peri sauce than needed for marinating. Save some for serving — drizzle a spoonful over the cooked chicken to add even more flavor.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
- Chicken: We prefer thighs and drumsticks for their juiciness, but any cut works great in this recipe.
- Red Chilies: Remove the seeds and chop up the chilies for that spicy kick. For less heat, swap in milder peppers to suit your taste.
- Red Bell Pepper: Adds a touch of natural sweetness to balance the bold flavors.
- Lemon Juice: Brings brightness and balances the chili heat beautifully.
- Seasoning: Garlic, salt, black pepper, sweet and smoked paprika, oregano, and red pepper flakes combine to create the perfect spicy flavor for your chicken.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is peri peri chicken?
Peri peri chicken is a dish where chicken is marinated in a spicy pepper sauce — perfect for spice lovers! It’s typically made with bone-in cuts, which help lock in moisture and flavor, but you can use any cut of chicken you prefer.
What’s the best way to store chicken leftovers?
To keep leftover chicken fresh, store it in the refrigerator for up to four days in a covered dish or airtight container. When you’re ready, bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes until heated through.
What should I serve with peri peri chicken?
Peri peri chicken pairs perfectly with rice or bread to soak up the flavorful sauce. For added freshness, serve it with a green salad or a side of stir-fried or roasted vegetables.
Peri Peri Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 Chicken Thighs
- 4 Chicken Drumsticks
Peri Peri Sauce
- 4 Garlic Cloves
- ¼ cup Lemon Juice
- ⅓ cup Orange Juice
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Sweet Paprika
- ¼ tsp Smoked Paprika
- ¼ tsp Ground Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 tsp Dried Oregano
- 2 Red Chilies seedless and chopped
- 1 Medium Red Bell Pepper chopped
Optional
- 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper
Instructions
- Add all Peri Peri sauce ingredients to a blender or food processor and pulse until smooth. Pour the sauce into a small saucepan and simmer for 10 minutes to intensify the flavors.
- Place the chicken in a large bowl and coat with the sauce. Cover with cling wrap and marinate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for deeper flavor.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Arrange the chicken on a large baking tray and add ½ cup of water to the tray to help the chicken stay juicy while baking.
- Bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.