Authentic Piri Piri Chicken | Portuguese Chicken Recipe

piri piri sauce

🥗Healthier: homemade chili sauce

💰Cheaper: hot sauce

Homemade chili sauce can control spice levels and ingredients.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil has a higher smoke point and is healthier.

fresh parsley

🥗Healthier: cilantro

💰Cheaper: dried herbs

Cilantro provides a fresh flavor while dried herbs are more economical.

chicken

🥗Healthier: turkey

💰Cheaper: chicken thighs

Turkey is leaner, while thighs are more affordable than breasts.

Char the vegetables by placing the chillies, garlic (skin on), and red onion on a hot griddle pan or under the grill (broiler) until lightly blackened and blistered.

Peel the garlic once cool.

Blend the charred chillies, garlic, and onion with smoked paprika, oregano, lemon zest/juice, vinegar, olive oil, bay leaf, salt, and pepper into a smooth paste.

Rub the chicken all over with the marinade (save 2–3 tbsp for basting).

Cover and marinate for at least 2–4 hours, ideally overnight in the fridge.

Preheat oven to 200°C (fan 180°C).

Place chicken skin side up on a baking tray and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour (spatchcocked) or until juices run clear and the thickest part reaches 75°C.

Halfway through cooking, baste with the reserved marinade.

Switch the oven to grill (broiler) for the last 3–5 minutes until the skin crisps and blisters.

Chop into pieces and serve with chips (fries), salad, or Portuguese-style rice.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: