Indian Style Peri Peri Chicken Recipe: So Good, You Won’t Believe It!

Jump to Recipe

If you want to ditch your regular roasted chicken for something flavorful and delicious, try this easy Indian style peri peri chicken recipe. Peri Peri chicken is a juicy and spicy chicken dish that was developed by the Portuguese settlers in South Africa, and thanks to Nandos, it became popular everywhere. Each region has its own recipe, but today we will make a fusion recipe with Indian ingredients and spices to make a homemade peri peri sauce for the recipe. All you need are a few chicken thighs or chicken breasts, a baking tray, and some common ingredients from your pantry, and you can one-up peri peri style Nando’s chicken right there in your kitchen.

Peri peri chicken is also known as piri piri chicken and pili pili chicken. The history of peri peri chicken is as multicultural and varied as this recipe itself, with African and Portuguese origins. This is one of the reasons that this recipe leaves a lot of room for experimentation. Wherever you go in the world, you will find different spices for the same recipe ranging from African bird’s eye chili to cayenne pepper, garlic powder, red peppers, smoked paprika, chili powder and black pepper. 

You can make the peri peri marinade with a range of marinade ingredients. Some people also use store bought spicy peri peri sauce, while others make their own by mixing sriracha sauce, hot sauce, red wine vinegar, or fresh lemon juice with peri peri chilis to make their own spicy sauce. However, today we will make the simplest homemade peri peri chicken with Indian spices that will make you forget your favorite Nando’s peri peri chicken.

So, let’s start by having a look at the simple ingredients for this must-try recipe.

Ingredients List

Chicken Thighs

This is the main protein source for the dish. Chicken thighs have a moist texture and are more flavorful than other chicken parts. They also cook faster than larger cuts of meat, which makes them ideal for this recipe. If you do not like chicken thighs you can use any cut of chicken, like boneless chicken breast, chicken wings, chicken legs, or even a whole chicken.

Spices

Cumin, coriander seeds, turmeric, red chili powder, salt, and black pepper powder make up the spice mixture for a fiery sauce. These spices add depth of flavor and a spicy kick to the dish. Roasting the cumin and coriander seeds before grinding them enhances their flavors and aroma. Turmeric adds a warm, earthy flavor and a vibrant yellow color to the sauce. Red chili powder provides heat, while salt and black pepper powder balance the flavors. You can use any kind of red chilis like african birds eye chilis, or peri peri peppers according to your personal preference and tolerance of spice level.

Tamarind Extract

Tamarind extract adds a tangy and slightly sweet flavor to the peri-peri sauce. It also acts as a tenderizer for the chicken, making it more succulent.

Vegetables

Onion, garlic cloves, ginger, and red bell pepper are the main vegetables that you need for this recipe. They add sweetness, depth, and complexity to the peri-peri sauce. Red bell peppers, when roasted, add a smoky flavor to the dish.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice adds a citrusy tang and a refreshing aroma to the peri-peri sauce. It also helps to balance the flavors and cuts through the richness of the chicken.

Sesame Oil

Sesame oil has a nutty flavor that adds richness to the peri-peri sauce. It also has a high smoke point, which makes it ideal for a marinade.

Fresh Coriander/Cilantro

Fresh coriander or cilantro acts as a garnish for the dish. It adds a fresh, herbaceous aroma and a burst of flavor to the finished dish.

Step By Step Recipe

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and dry roast all the spices until fragrant.

Then roast the red bell pepper on fire.

In a blender, add the roasted spices and 1 cup of sesame oil.

Blend all the peri peri sauce ingredients until smooth.

Make slits on the chicken thighs with a sharp knife.

Then place the chicken thighs in a large bowl and pour the peri peri sauce over them.

Use your hands to coat the chicken thighs with the sauce, making sure to cover it well.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in the fridge for at least 3 hours. After 3 hours, place the chicken thighs in a single layer in a baking dish.

Then bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until fully cooked.

While the chicken is baking, pour the remaining peri-peri sauce into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil.

Then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.

Serve the chicken thighs with the reduced peri-peri sauce on the side.

Finally, garnish with fresh cilantro/coriander and enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

There are various ways to present Peri Peri Chicken. First, consider adding a side of roasted vegetables such as broccoli or sweet potatoes, to provide extra nutrition and color to the dish. For a fresher option, serve the chicken on a bed of lettuce or mixed greens to create a healthy salad. To add some extra flavor and texture, you can also provide additional toppings such as sliced jalapeños, chopped scallions, or crumbled feta cheese. It is essential to balance the heat of the spicy peri-peri sauce by pairing the chicken with a refreshing beverage such as iced tea, lemonade, or a light beer.

To make a whole meal out of it, serve your chicken with some lemon rice or biryani on the side. You can also serve it as a part of a big Indian meal in combination with other dishes like fried chicken, palak paneer or chicken curry. You can serve the chicken at a backyard barbecue or family gathering, allowing guests to help themselves to the chicken and accompanying sauce. Finally, don’t forget to add a garnish of fresh cilantro/coriander to add an extra layer of flavor and freshness to the dish.

Storage Instructions

Proper storage is crucial to keeping Peri Peri Chicken fresh for a more extended period. The first step is to let the chicken cool down to room temperature after cooking. Next, remove any remaining meat from the bones and place it in an airtight container. If you have any leftover peri-peri sauce, store it separately in a clean, airtight container. Once everything is properly inside, place it in the refrigerator and store for up to 3-4 days. However, if you plan to store the chicken for an extended period, you can freeze it. Place the chicken in a freezer-safe container or plastic bag, label it with the date, and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When reheating, make sure to thaw the chicken entirely before reheating it in the microwave, oven, or stovetop. By following these storage guidelines, you can keep your Peri Peri Chicken fresh.

FAQs