Best Nando's Peri Peri Chicken Recipe

Spicy and Delicious

Discover the best Nando's Peri Peri Chicken recipe, marinated in a spicy peri peri sauce and roasted to perfection. Perfect for a flavorful and easy meal, ready in just an hour!

The peri peri sauce is made of hot chili peppers, jalapenos, lemon, vinegar, herbs, and spices. It can be used as a marinade, dip, or sauce.

What is PERi-PERi chicken made of?

Why is it called PERi-PERi chicken?

The chilli and the sauce itself is known as 'piri-piri' in Portuguese. It takes its name from Swahili – 'piri-piri' means 'pepper-pepper' – and has morphed into several iterations, including 'pili-pili' and 'peri-peri'.

Nando’s

Nando's is a South African multinational fast-food chain that specializes in flame-grilled peri-peri-style chicken. Founded in Johannesburg in 1987, Nando's operates over 1,200 outlets in 30 countries. Their logo depicts the Rooster of Barcelos, one of the most common symbols of Portugal.

Watch the video recipe

Nando's Peri Peri Chicken Recipe

Serving: 2-4 people

Introduction

Nando's Peri Peri Chicken is a flavorful dish marinated in a spicy peri peri sauce made from hot chili peppers, jalapenos, lemon, vinegar, herbs, and spices. This recipe delivers a taste of the famous Nando's chicken, perfect for a delicious meal.

Ingredients

6 cloves garlic
1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 lemon, juiced
3 red chili peppers
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp black pepper
A couple of sprigs of thyme
4 tsp paprika
1 small chicken
Mixed salad leaves (for serving)
Chunky chips (for serving)

Directions

Make the Marinade: Blend garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, thyme, chili peppers, salt, and black pepper to a smooth marinade.
Prepare the Chicken: Cut out the backbone and remove the breast bone to spatchcock the chicken.
Marinate the Chicken: Rub the marinade all over the chicken, inside and out. Refrigerate overnight.
Roast the Chicken: Roast the spatchcock chicken at 375°F for about an hour, until fully cooked.
Serve: Serve with fresh salad and chunky chips.

Enjoy! Buen Provecho!

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Peri Peri sauce? Peri Peri sauce is a spicy marinade made from African bird's eye chili, garlic, lemon, vinegar, herbs, and spices.

2. Can I use chicken breasts instead of a whole chicken? Yes, chicken breasts, thighs, or drumsticks can be used, but adjust cooking times accordingly.

3. How long should I marinate the chicken? For best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight, but a minimum of 4 hours is recommended.

4. Can I grill the chicken instead of roasting? Yes, grilling is a great option. Cook on medium-high heat for 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally.

5. How spicy is Peri Peri chicken? It is moderately spicy. Adjust the amount of chili peppers to control the heat level.

6. Can I make the sauce less spicy? Yes, reduce the number of chili peppers or remove the seeds to lessen the heat.

7. What sides go well with Peri Peri chicken? Serve with mixed salad leaves, chunky chips, rice, or roasted vegetables.

8. Is this recipe gluten-free? Yes, as long as all ingredients used are gluten-free.

9. How do I store leftovers? Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

10. Can I freeze the marinated chicken? Yes, freeze the marinated chicken for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before cooking.

11. How do I reheat leftovers? Reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through or microwave on a medium setting.

12. Can I use store-bought Peri Peri sauce? Yes, store-bought Peri Peri sauce can be used if you're short on time.

13. What type of chili peppers should I use? African bird's eye chili is traditional, but any hot red chili pepper can be used.

14. Can I make this dish vegetarian? Yes, marinate and cook vegetables like eggplant, bell peppers, and zucchini.

15. How do I get a crispy skin on the chicken? Pat the chicken dry before marinating and roast at a high temperature.