Your New Favorite Peri-Peri Chicken Recipe

peri-peri sauce

🥗Healthier: homemade chili sauce

💰Cheaper: hot sauce

Homemade chili sauce can reduce preservatives while maintaining heat.

whole chicken

🥗Healthier: chicken breast

💰Cheaper: chicken thighs

Chicken thighs are often more affordable and remain juicy.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil is healthier while vegetable oil is budget-friendly.

paprika

🥗Healthier: smoked paprika

💰Cheaper: cayenne pepper

Smoked paprika adds depth without significant cost.

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

Place 2 roughly chopped red bell peppers and 2 roughly chopped red onions on a non-stick baking tray.

Drizzle over 2 tablespoons of oil.

Sprinkle on 1 teaspoon each of paprika and salt, along with 2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper.

Mix everything together and spread it out on the baking tray.

Roast the veggies in the oven for 20 minutes.

After 20 minutes, add 4 peeled cloves of garlic and 2 sliced red chillies to the tray.

Move everything around and place back in the oven for a further 10 minutes.

Transfer the roasted veggies to a mini chopper, pouring in all the juices from the tray.

Add 10 birdseye chillies, 1/4 teaspoon each of white pepper and dried rosemary, plus the zest and juice of 1 lemon.

Blend until you get a fairly smooth paste.

Add 90 ml of oil and 4 tablespoons of red wine vinegar to the mixture and blend again until you have a thick sauce.

Prepare the chicken by spatchcocking it, removing the backbone with kitchen scissors.

Turn the chicken breast-side up and press down on the breastbone to flatten it.

Transfer the chicken to a baking tray and pour one third of the sauce over it, spreading it evenly.

Sprinkle on 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and black pepper.

Place the chicken in the oven for 45 minutes.

After 45 minutes, baste the chicken and pour over a couple of tablespoons of the spicy sauce.

Return to the oven for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until cooked through.

Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: