Peri Peri Chicken Portuguese Style (Printable)

Spicy grilled chicken marinated in zesty peri peri sauce with Portuguese-inspired flavors.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 3.3 lbs whole chicken, spatchcocked (or 8 chicken thighs and drumsticks)

→ Peri Peri Marinade

02 - 4 fresh red chili peppers, chopped
03 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
05 - 2 tbsp smoked paprika
06 - 1 tbsp dried oregano
07 - 1 tsp ground cumin
08 - 2 tsp salt
09 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
10 - 1/4 cup olive oil
11 - 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
12 - Juice of 1 lemon
13 - Zest of 1 lemon

→ For Serving

14 - Lemon wedges
15 - Fresh parsley, chopped

# Directions:

01 - Combine chili peppers, garlic, red bell pepper, smoked paprika, oregano, cumin, salt, black pepper, olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a blender. Process until completely smooth to create the peri peri sauce.
02 - Set aside 3 tablespoons of the prepared marinade in a separate small bowl. This will be used for basting during cooking and as an extra serving sauce.
03 - Rub the remaining marinade thoroughly over the chicken, coating all surfaces. Transfer to a large shallow dish or sealable plastic bag. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, preferably overnight for maximum flavor penetration.
04 - Preheat grill or oven to 400°F. If using a grill, lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
05 - Arrange chicken skin-side up on the grill grates or in a roasting pan. Cook for 35 to 40 minutes, turning once midway through cooking. Baste generously with the reserved marinade during the final 10 minutes. Cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F and the skin is nicely charred and crispy.
06 - Remove chicken from heat and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Cut into serving pieces and arrange on a platter. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges alongside.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The marinade creates layers of flavor that penetrate deep into the meat, not just coat the surface
  • Its equally impressive grilled outdoors or roasted indoors, making it year round perfection
02 -
  • Marinating overnight transforms this dish from great to unforgettable
  • The skin might look very dark but that char is where all the flavor lives
03 -
  • Let the chicken come to room temperature for 20 minutes before cooking for even results
  • Line your baking sheet with foil if cooking indoors to save cleanup time

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