Juicy and tender Portuguese peri peri chicken marinated in chili, garlic and olive oil, grilled to perfection. Easy piri piri chicken recipe with only 6 ingredients. Perfect for BBQ or weeknight dinners.
Looking for a flavorful grilled chicken recipe? This traditional Portuguese peri peri chicken recipe is one of my all-time favorite dishes, and has become a Friday night tradition in our home. I usually season the chicken the day before, letting it marinate slowly in the refrigerator so it can fully absorb all those intense and spicy flavors. By the next day, the chicken is perfectly seasoned and ready to go on the grill on the terrace, filling the air with an irresistible aroma. It’s a classic that I never get tired of making!
In Portugal, the tradition is to serve this delicious grilled Portuguese peri peri chicken with French fries, lettuce salad, or even white rice, depending on the region of the country. One thing I'm sure of: you'll love every bite of this delicious, crispy, and tender grilled chicken. Plus, it's a very simple dish to prepare, requiring only 5 basic ingredients to season the chicken!
Here are some simple and Traditional Portuguese Dishes from our cuisine that you can make any time of year: Portuguese style baked fish, Portuguese bread soup, Traditional baked cod or this Portuguese octopus rice!
INGREDIENTS FOR PORTUGUESE PERI PERI CHICKEN RECIPE
Here you'll find all the ingredients needed to make this recipe:
- Chicken - Whole chicken. Open the chicken along the breastbone and press firmly with the palms of your hands to flatten it, giving it a butterflied shape.
- Red chili pepper cut into pieces, olive oil, sliced garlic (or grated garlic), bay leaf cut into pieces and salt - For the chicken marinade.
Below you’ll find the correct measurement of all ingredients and the step-by-step guide for this grilled piri piri chicken recipe.
HOW TO MAKE PORTUGUESE PERI PERI CHICKEN
Step 1: Remove the stems from the red chili peppers.
Step 2: Open the chicken along the breastbone and press firmly with the palms of your hands to flatten it, giving it a butterflied shape.
Step 3: Place the chicken on a tray and season with salt, red chili peppers cut into pieces, sliced garlic (or grated garlic), bay leaf cut into pieces and olive oil. Make sure the chicken is thoroughly coated in the marinade. Cover the tray with cling film and marinate for at least 2 hours (If you have a little more time, let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator overnight).
Step 4: Remove chicken from marinade (reserve the marinade).
Step 5: Place the chicken onto the hot grill and grill on both sides until golden brown. Keep turning the chicken pieces, brushing with the reserved marinade.
Step 6: Before serving, I like to season the chicken with lemon juice.
TIPS
1. Marinate the chicken overnight for stronger flavor.
2. Grill the chicken on both sides and brush with the marinade during cooking.
3. Before serving, season the chicken with lemon juice.
VARIATIONS
1. Bake the chicken in the oven instead of grilling it.
2. Add paprika instead of red chili pepper.
3. Season the chicken with sliced garlic or grated garlic.
FAQs
What is Portuguese peri peri chicken?
Peri peri chicken is a flavorful Portuguese-style grilled chicken marinated in a spicy sauce made with red chili pepper, olive oil, garlic, and bay leaf.
Can I bake peri peri chicken instead of grilling it?
Yes, you can bake it in the oven (basting the chicken occasionally with its own sauce).
How long should I marinate the chicken?
Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours, or for best results, let it marinate overnight in the refrigerator for a more intense flavor.
Can I store Peri Peri Chicken in the refrigerator?
Absolutely. Allow to cool to room temperature and store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
- Air fryer chicken drumsticks
- Spicy roasted chicken leg quarters
- Portuguese chicken and rice soup
- Honey lemon roast chicken
- Homemade chicken nuggets
- Honey baked chicken drumsticks
- Baked chicken breast with lemon mustard sauce
- Tender and juicy chicken stew
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Portuguese Peri Peri Chicken Recipe (Grilled Piri Piri Chicken)
Juicy and tender Portuguese peri peri chicken marinated in chili, garlic and olive oil, grilled to perfection. Easy piri piri chicken recipe with only 6 ingredients. Perfect for BBQ or weeknight dinners.
5.00 from 1 reviews
- 1.2 kg (2 2/3 pounds) whole chicken
- 50 grams (1 3/4 ounces) red chili pepper
- 200 ml (about 1 cup) olive oil
- 6 cloves of garlic
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt (to taste)
- Remove the stems from the red chili peppers.
- Open the chicken along the breastbone and press firmly with the palms of your hands to flatten it, giving it a butterflied shape.
- Place the chicken on a tray and season with salt, red chili peppers cut into pieces, sliced garlic (or grated garlic), bay leaf cut into pieces and olive oil. Make sure the chicken is thoroughly coated in the marinade. Cover the tray with cling film and marinate for at least 2 hours (If you have a little more time, let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator overnight).
- Remove chicken from marinade (reserve the marinade).
- Place the chicken onto the hot grill and grill on both sides until golden brown. Keep turning the chicken pieces, brushing with the reserved marinade.
- Before serving, I like to season the chicken with lemon juice.
