Spicy Baked Peri Peri Chicken Recipe: Fiery Magic

Sizzling with vibrant african spices, this peri peri chicken recipe delivers a fiery culinary adventure straight to your plate.

The bold peri peri marinade infuses each tender piece of chicken with an irresistible kick of heat and flavor.

Originating from Portuguese-African cuisine, this dish promises a mouthwatering experience that tantalizes your taste buds.

Marinating the chicken allows the spices to penetrate deeply, creating layers of complex, zesty goodness.

Every bite bursts with a perfect balance of spiciness and rich, aromatic seasonings.

Roasted to golden perfection, this chicken will become your new go-to recipe for an exciting dinner that breaks away from ordinary meals.

Get ready to spice up your kitchen with this unbelievably delicious baked peri peri chicken.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45-60 minutes

Total Time: 55-70 minutes

Calories: 420 kcal

Servings: 5

How to Plate Baked Peri Peri Chicken

• Fiery Feast Companions: Crisp green salad with a zesty lime dressing to balance the spicy chicken.
• Comfort Carb Sidekick: Creamy mashed potatoes or garlic roasted sweet potato wedges that soak up the delicious peri peri sauce.
• Cooling Complement: Fresh cucumber and yogurt raita or a tangy coleslaw to provide a refreshing contrast to the hot chicken flavors.
• Mediterranean Plate Pairing: Warm pita bread, grilled vegetables, and a light herb-infused tzatziki sauce to create a complete and satisfying meal experience.

Smart Storage for Peri Peri Chicken

• Smart Meal Stashing: Store leftover chicken in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Refrigeration Sweet Spot: Keep baked peri peri chicken in the fridge for 3-4 days maximum, ensuring the meat remains juicy and flavorful when reheated.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Slice or shred chicken before freezing in sealed freezer bags, which can extend edible life up to 3 months without losing taste quality.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated chicken gently in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil to retain moisture and prevent drying out, until internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.

Baked Peri Peri Chicken: Ingredient Essentials

• Whole Chicken: Select a fresh, plump bird with smooth, unblemished skin for optimal flavor and juiciness.
• Salt: Enhances the natural chicken flavors and helps create a delicious seasoning layer.

• Peri Peri Sauce: Brings vibrant, spicy African-Portuguese heat and tangy complexity to the dish.
• Sugar/Honey: Balances the sauce's spiciness, creating a perfect sweet-heat harmony and helping caramelize the chicken skin.

• Potatoes: Versatile side that complements the spicy chicken and absorbs delicious pan juices.
• Optional Side Dishes: Allows personal creativity and customization of the meal's accompaniments.

Tools for Making Baked Peri Peri Chicken

• Oven-proof dish: Essential for baking and containing the chicken while cooking.
• Small bowl: Perfect for mixing peri peri sauce and sugar/honey.
• Spoon: Helps spread sauce evenly over and under chicken skin.
• Sharp knife: Needed for slicing chicken after cooking.
• Aluminum foil: Used to cover chicken while resting to keep it warm.

Directions to Bake Peri Peri Chicken

• Spicy Marinade Preparation

Combine zesty peri peri sauce with a touch of sweetness in a small mixing bowl to create a vibrant coating for the chicken.

• Chicken Setup

Transfer chicken to a roasting dish, generously seasoning with salt and thoroughly covering every surface with the spicy sauce, ensuring it penetrates beneath the skin for maximum flavor intensity.

• Oven Magic

Slide the chicken into a blazing hot oven set at 200ºC, allowing it to roast and caramelize for 45-60 minutes. Periodically baste the chicken to keep it moist and enhance its rich, tangy profile.

• Resting Period

Once the chicken releases clear juices when pierced, remove from the oven and let it rest, tented with foil, allowing the juices to redistribute and create a tender, succulent texture.

• Serving Delight

Carve the beautifully bronzed chicken and plate alongside your favorite accompaniments, transforming a simple meal into a flavor-packed experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Peri Peri Chicken Flavor Ideas

• Adjust the peri peri sauce intensity by mixing different brands or adding extra chili flakes for those who love extra spice.
• Marinate the chicken overnight in the peri peri sauce to boost flavor depth and ensure maximum taste penetration into the meat.
• Grill the chicken instead of baking for a smoky char, or use an air fryer for a crispy exterior with less oil.
• Pat the chicken dry before seasoning to help achieve a crispier skin and better sauce adherence during cooking.
• Replace chicken with firm tofu, cauliflower steaks, or portobello mushrooms, adapting the cooking time and sauce application accordingly.

Spicy Peri Peri Chicken Recipe

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4.5 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 55-70 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Peri peri chicken delivers a spicy Portuguese-inspired dish with bold, fiery flavors. Marinated chicken roasts to crispy perfection, promising a memorable meal that will satisfy spice enthusiasts and tantalize palates.

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Ingredients

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• 1 whole chicken (butterflied)
• 1 cup (240 ml) peri-peri sauce
• 2 tsp (10 ml) sugar or honey
• Salt to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Ignite the oven to a fiery 200ºC/400ºF, creating an ideal culinary environment for transforming chicken into a flavor-packed masterpiece.
2. Sauce Fusion: Whisk peri peri sauce with honey in a mixing bowl, creating a harmonious blend of tangy and sweet elements that will elevate the chicken’s profile.
3. Seasoning: Massage salt into the chicken, establishing a robust flavor foundation that will complement the vibrant sauce.
4. Sauce Application: Position the chicken in an oven-proof dish, meticulously drizzling the peri peri honey mixture to ensure comprehensive coverage, including sneaking the sauce beneath the skin for maximum flavor infusion.
5. Oven Transformation: Slide the dish into the preheated oven, allowing the chicken to roast for 45-60 minutes, periodically basting to maintain moisture and intensify the sauce’s caramelization.
6. Doneness Check: Verify the chicken’s readiness by piercing the thickest section – crystal-clear juices signal perfect culinary execution.
7. Resting Phase: Remove the chicken from the oven, tent with foil for 10 minutes, enabling internal juices to redistribute and ensuring a succulent, tender result.
8. Serving: Carve the chicken into elegant slices, presenting a stunning centerpiece accompanied by complementary roasted vegetables or your preferred side dish.

Notes

• Sauce Coating Technique: Drizzle and spread sauce thoroughly under chicken skin for maximum flavor infusion and juiciness.
• Basting Is Critical: Regularly baste chicken every 15-20 minutes to prevent drying and maintain moisture during baking.
• Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal chicken temperature reaches 74°C/165°F for safe consumption.
• Resting Period Matters: Allow chicken to rest 10 minutes after baking, which helps redistribute juices and ensures tender, succulent meat.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45-60 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: African

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg