...
Go Back
Grilled peri peri chicken on a white plate with lemon wedges and a bowl of sauce, taken from above on a white kitchen counter.

Easy Peri Peri Chicken

4 from 1 vote
Easy and flavorful peri peri chicken recipe featuring a spicy, smoky marinade with a perfect balance of heat and citrus. Great for grilling or baking!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: African, Portuguese
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 6-8 Whole Bird’s eye chilies Substitute with Thai chilies if needed
  • 4 cloves Garlic Peeled
  • 1 Whole Red bell pepper Chopped
  • 1 Small Red onion Chopped
  • 3 tablespoon Fresh lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoon Olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon Red wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoon Smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
  • 2 whole Bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon Brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Sea salt Adjust to taste
  • ½ teaspoon Black pepper
  • 1 Whole Whole chicken spatchcocked Or bone-in thighs/legs

Equipment

  • 1 Blender or food processor For marinade
  • 1 Sharp knife For prepping chicken
  • 1 Cutting board
  • 1 Large mixing bowl For marinating
  • 1 Ziplock bag or airtight container Optional for marinating
  • 1 Grill or oven For cooking
  • 1 Meat thermometer To check doneness
  • 1 Tongs For flipping chicken
  • 1 Basting brush For glazing with sauce

Method
 

  1. Blend chilies, garlic, bell pepper, onion, and lemon juice until smooth.
  2. Add spices, herbs, olive oil, and vinegar, then mix well.
  3. Trim excess fat from chicken and pat dry.
  4. Make shallow cuts in chicken for better marinade absorption.
  5. Coat chicken thoroughly with marinade, reserving some for later.
  6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (preferably overnight).
  7. Preheat grill to medium-high or oven to 425°F.
  8. Grill skin-side down first, then move to indirect heat, or bake until internal temp reaches 165°F.
  9. Brush with reserved sauce and let rest before serving.

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.