Portuguese Piri-Piri Chicken
is a flavorful and spicy grilled chicken dish that hails from Portugal. It gets its name from the piri-piri chili peppers used in the marinade, which give the chicken its signature heat and tangy flavor. Here's a delicious and easy Piri-Piri Chicken recipe for you to enjoy:
- Ingredients for the Piri-Piri Marinade:
- - 4-6 chicken leg quarters (or any chicken pieces of your choice)
- - 4-6 piri-piri chili peppers (or substitute with bird's eye chili or red pepper flakes for heat)
- - 4 cloves garlic, peeled
- - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- - 1/4 cup olive oil
- - 1 tablespoon paprika
- - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- - 1 teaspoon salt
- - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Ingredients for Serving:
- - Fresh lemon wedges
- - Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions:
1. In a food processor or blender, combine the piri-piri chili peppers, garlic cloves, lemon juice, olive oil, paprika, dried oregano, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Blend until you have a smooth and fiery marinade.
2. Place the chicken pieces in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the Piri-Piri marinade over the chicken, making sure to coat each piece thoroughly. Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to let the flavors penetrate the chicken.
3. When you're ready to cook, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. You can also use a grill pan or cook the chicken in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 30-40 minutes, turning once halfway through.
4. Remove the chicken from the marinade and shake off any excess. Reserve the marinade for basting.
5. Grill the chicken on the preheated grill for about 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally, or until the chicken is cooked through and has a nice charred appearance.
6. While grilling, baste the chicken occasionally with the reserved marinade to keep it moist and enhance the flavors.
7. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
8. Garnish the Piri-Piri Chicken with fresh lemon wedges and chopped parsley for an extra burst of freshness.
Serve your Portuguese Piri-Piri Chicken with traditional sides like rice, grilled vegetables, or a fresh salad. The spicy and tangy flavors of this dish are sure to excite your taste buds! Enjoy your delicious and fiery Piri-Piri Chicken!
