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Piri piri chicken

17/11/2023

Piri piri chicken is a traditional African dish, particularly widespread in Mozambique and Angola where it is very popular for its spicy and aromatic flavor. Here’s a variant with an Italian twist!

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken thighs (you can also use breast or upper thighs)
  • 2 fresh red chili peppers (or to taste depending on the desired spiciness)
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 1 piece of fresh ginger (about 2 cm)
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons of white vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika (or sweet)
  • 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
  • 1 bunch of chopped fresh parsley (Italian addition)
  • 30 ml of extra virgin olive oil (Italian substitute for seed oil)
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. First, clean the chicken thighs well, removing any residual skin or excess fat.
  2. Make the marinade for the chicken by combining the chili peppers (seedless if you prefer less spicy), garlic, ginger, lemon juice, vinegar, paprika, oregano, a pinch of salt, and black pepper in a blender or in a mortar if you prefer to do it all by hand. Blend until you get a smooth sauce.
  3. Add the extra virgin olive oil and the chopped parsley to the marinade, mixing to combine.
  4. Put the chicken in a large bowl or in a food bag and pour over the marinade, making sure the chicken is completely covered. Leave to marinate in the fridge for at least a couple of hours, or even better, overnight.
  5. Preheat the oven to 200 °C (392 °F) and place the chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Also pour the remaining marinade over the meat.
  6. Bake and cook for about 40-45 minutes or until the chicken is well browned and crispy on the outside. If you have a kitchen thermometer, the internal temperature should reach 74 °C (165 °F).
  7. Serve the warm piri piri chicken, perhaps accompanied by a fresh salad or baked potatoes.

Fun Fact

The name “piri piri” comes from the type of chili pepper used in this recipe, also known as ‘African bird’s eye chili’. Its characteristic is that, despite the high level of spiciness, it also gives a deep and aromatic flavor that goes perfectly with chicken meat.

If you want to continue to complete this dish with a wholly Italian touch, you could prepare a side of grilled vegetables with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of Parmesan, in perfect Mediterranean style. Enjoy your meal!