This peri peri chicken dish involves coating chicken in a homemade peri peri sauce, followed by baking or grilling, and serving with additional sauce. It’s a convenient and speedy option for a weeknight dinner.
What Is Peri Peri Chicken?
Peri Peri Chicken is a tasty dish made with various cuts of chicken, marinated and accompanied by a homemade peri peri sauce—a spicy pepper sauce originating from South Africa.
Peri Peri Chicken Ingredients
- FOR THE PERI PERI CHICKEN
- 6 chicken legs
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- FOR THE PERI PERI MARINADE INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound red chilies chopped – African Bird’s Eye peppers are traditional, but you can sub with red peppers available to you
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika you can sub in other chili powders
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped basil
- 1/2 cup olive oil or vegetable oil
- Juice from 1 lemon
- Salt to taste (and black pepper, if desired)
- FOR SERVING: Chopped parsley, spicy chili flakes
How To Make Peri Peri Chicken – The Recipe Method
Begin by drying the chicken legs with a pat, then massage them with paprika, garlic, salt, and pepper. Cover and let them sit aside.
Heat your oven to 400 degrees F.
To prepare the peri peri sauce, combine peppers, garlic, paprika, cilantro, and basil in a food processor. Process until thoroughly blended.
Drizzle in the olive oil while continuing to process until the mixture thickens up.
Mix in the lemon juice and adjust the seasoning with salt as needed.
Apply half of the peri peri sauce to coat the chicken, ensuring the chicken legs are well covered. If desired, you can cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour for enhanced flavor. For a more profound flavor infusion, marinate them for up to 24 hours.
To bake the chicken, place it in the oven for 35-40 minutes or until fully cooked, reaching an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, as measured by a meat thermometer. I recommend using the ThermoPop meat thermometer from ThermoWorks (I’m an affiliate), as it works exceptionally well. Keep in mind that cooking times may vary, so it’s essential to monitor the internal temperature.
For grilling, preheat the grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grates. Grill the chicken legs for approximately 35-40 minutes, turning them every 5 minutes to prevent burning, until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Take the chicken out of the oven or grill and coat it with the remaining peri peri sauce. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and spicy chili flakes. Ready to serve! Baking it in the oven enhances the flavor. This recipe yields 6 legs, so dig in!
What Does Peri Peri Chicken Taste Like?
Peri Peri Chicken boasts a rich flavor profile with a subtle spiciness derived from the peri peri sauce, offering a delightful warmth without overwhelming heat. You’ll savor the nuanced combination of chilies, garlic, and herbs, creating a well-balanced and enjoyable experience.
What Should I Serve With Peri Peri Chicken?
Present it alongside your preferred vegetable sides, or serve it atop rice for a more comprehensive meal. Peri Peri Chicken complements a wide range of side dishes.
Peri Peri Chicken Recipe
This peri peri chicken recipe coats the chicken in a homemade peri peri sauce, then either bakes or grills it, serving with an additional sauce. It’s a convenient and straightforward option for a weeknight dinner.
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken legs, peri peri, spicy
Prep Time: 10minutes minutes
Cook Time: 40minutes minutes
Total Time: 50minutes minutes
Calories: 498kcal
Author: klara
Servings: 6 chicken legs
Ingredients
- 6 chicken legs
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
FOR THE PERI PERI SAUCE
- 1 pound red chilies chopped – African Bird’s Eye peppers are traditional, but you can sub with red peppers available to you
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika you can sub in other chili powders
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped basil
- 1/2 cup olive oil or vegetable oil
- Juice from 1 lemon
- Salt to taste
- FOR SERVING: Chopped parsley, spicy chili flakes
Instructions
- Begin by patting the chicken legs dry and massaging them with paprika, garlic, salt, and pepper. Cover and set aside.
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
- For the peri peri sauce, combine peppers, garlic, paprika, cilantro, and basil in a food processor. Process until thoroughly mixed. Gradually add olive oil while continuing to process until the mixture thickens.
- Stir in the lemon juice and adjust the salt to taste.
- Use half of the peri peri sauce to coat the chicken, tossing them together to ensure the chicken legs are well covered. You can refrigerate and cover for at least 1 hour for a more developed flavor.
- FOR BAKING: Bake the chicken for 35-40 minutes or until fully cooked, reaching an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- FOR GRILLING: Preheat the grill to medium heat, lightly oil the grates, and grill the chicken legs for about 35-40 minutes. Turn them every 5 minutes to prevent burning, ensuring they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Remove from the oven or grill and toss in the remaining peri peri sauce. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and spicy chili flakes. Serve!
Notes
For a more intensified peri peri flavor, refrigerate the chicken after applying the initial coating of peri peri sauce. You can also marinate it in this manner overnight.
The peri peri sauce recipe yields approximately 2 cups.
Heat Level: Medium, though the intensity and spiciness may vary depending on the peppers you select.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 498kcal Carbohydrates: 10g Protein: 23g Fat: 41g Saturated Fat: 8g Cholesterol: 119mg Sodium: 127mg Potassium: 697mg Fiber: 2g Sugar: 4g Vitamin A: 3670IU Vitamin C: 116.2mg Calcium: 57mg Iron: 2.9mg