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peri peri chicken on parchment paper
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Peri Peri Chicken Recipe

My Portuguese Peri Peri Chicken recipe is paired with my homemade peri peri sauce for a flavorful dinner that's better than Nando's. 
Course Main Course
Cuisine Portuguese
Keyword Nando's Chicken, Peri Peri Chicken Recipe, Piri Piri Chicken Recipe, Portuguese Chicken
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Marinating time 1 hour
Total Time 3 hours
Servings 6
Calories 348kcal
Author Isabel Laessig

Equipment

  • Large roasting pan

Ingredients

  • 4 pound whole chicken
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 lemon cut into wedges
  • ¾ cup peri peri sauce
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Oil a large roasting pan and place the lemon wedges in the bottom. Use kitchen scissors to cut the backbone from the chicken, then open it. Flip it over and press down on the breast with the palm of your hand to flatten it out.
    1 lemon, 4 pound whole chicken
    a whole chicken in a baking dish for peri peri chicken recipe
  • Rub a little oil all over the chicken. Place ¾ cup of sauce into a small bowl, then use a basting brush to brush the chicken on both sides liberally with sauce. Sprinkle over some salt and pepper.
    4 pound whole chicken, 1 tablespoon olive oil, ¾ cup peri peri sauce, Salt and pepper
    a whole chicken in a baking dish covered with peri peri sauce
  • Place the chicken breast side up in the prepared roasting pan and roast for 30 minutes. Apply the remaining sauce over the top.
    4 pound whole chicken
    Whole chicken slightly after roasting with peri peri sauce
  • Turn the oven down to 350°F and roast for another 20 minutes per pound or until the chicken reaches 165°F on a meat thermometer. Turn the tray in the oven so it browns evenly, and baste twice more during the cooking.
    4 pound whole chicken
    A whole roasted chicken with peri peri sauce
  • Remove the chicken from oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before cutting into pieces or slicing. Serve with rice, fries and/or slaw and some extra sauce.
    A roasted chicken, perfectly marinated in a simple spicy sauce. This Peri Peri Chicken recipe is brimming with flavor but is so simple to make.

Notes

  • Don't forget to use my Peri Peri Sauce for the best results!
  • For the best results, it's best to marinate your chicken for at least 10-12 hours to ensure all flavors have been absorbed. Store marinated peri peri chicken in an air-tight container, or ziplock bag for up to 2 days. Or store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
  • In a rush? You can use Nando’s peri peri sauce or your favorite hot sauce. This will work too and you will have a delicious chicken dinner the family will love!
  • Flattening out the chicken is optional but will help it to cook more evenly and more quickly.

Nutrition

Calories: 348kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 108mg | Sodium: 196mg | Potassium: 299mg | Vitamin A: 410IU | Vitamin C: 21.2mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1.6mg