Easy Peri Peri Chicken Recipe
Introduction
When you’re craving something spicy, juicy, and irresistibly flavorful, this Easy Peri Peri Chicken Recipe delivers bold, zesty heat in every bite. Infused with the signature tangy spice of peri peri (piri piri) sauce and perfectly cooked for maximum tenderness, this dish impresses at weeknight dinners yet is simple enough for anyone to master.
No need for restaurant trips or bottled sauces—this homemade version lets you control the heat and freshness, making it a real crowd-pleaser for family feasts, barbecues, or meal prep.
What Makes This Peri Peri Chicken Special?
The secret lies in the homemade peri peri marinade: a vibrant blend of chili, garlic, citrus, and spices that soaks deep into the chicken. Grilled, oven-baked, or crisped to perfection in the air fryer, the result is chicken bursting with flavor but still moist and succulent.
It’s also a flexible recipe—use it for drumsticks, thighs, wings, or breasts, and adjust the intensity from mild to fiery. The aromatic peri peri paste paired with smoky charring puts this dish in a league of its own.
Prepping the Ingredients for Effortless Cooking
Begin with the freshest chicken you can find—bone-in pieces hold more juiciness, but boneless works for quick meals. For a super quick prep, reach for the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper to easily mince garlic, onions, and peppers.
Mix your marinade in a blender for a superbly smooth paste. The Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender crushes chilies and herbs in seconds, helping you blitz together a seamless, vibrant sauce for maximum flavor infusion.
Best Methods to Cook Peri Peri Chicken
Whether you love the smokiness of the grill, the moistness of oven-roasted, or the crisp bite of air-fried chicken, this recipe adapts beautifully:
- Grill: Delivers char and smoky undertones.
- Oven: Keeps things juicy and set-it-and-forget-it easy.
- Air Fryer: For a crispy skin without extra oil, the COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1 gets it right every time.
Whatever method you choose, use a reliable ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer for Cooking to ensure the chicken is cooked through (internal temp of 165°F).
Serving Suggestions and Storage Tips
Serve your Peri Peri Chicken with crisp salads, potato wedges, or warm flatbreads—the leftovers are perfect for wraps or salads the next day. For easy portioning and packing, the Bentgo Salad Container keeps your sides and chicken perfectly separated for on-the-go lunches.
Stash extra chicken in the Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers for fuss-free refrigeration and reheating.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe yields 4 generous servings. Each portion (using skinless chicken thighs) comes in around 350 calories, with approximately 30g protein and 18g fat, plus the added fiber from fresh herbs and citrus. It’s naturally gluten-free and dairy-free!
Easy Peri Peri Chicken Recipe (Recap)
What makes this Peri Peri Chicken shine is its punchy, fiery flavor and tender, juicy texture, all wrapped up in a recipe easy enough for beginners but bold enough for flavor seekers. Adjust heat to your liking and discover your new favorite way to serve chicken.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a blender like the Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender, combine chilies, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, vinegar, and lemon zest. Blend until smooth and vibrant.
- Pat chicken dry and place in a large bowl or zip-top bag. Pour over the peri peri marinade and toss until well coated. Marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes, but for bolder flavor, chill for 2–8 hours.
- To bake: Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll for easy cleanup. Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until juices run clear and internal temp hits 165°F.
- To air-fry: Preheat the COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1 to 380°F. Arrange chicken in a single layer and cook for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and cooked through.
- Rest chicken for five minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges, if desired.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 15 minutes (+ marinating time)
Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes (not including marinating)