This Oven Baked Peri Peri Chicken is packed with flavour. The chicken is coated in delicious marinade before being oven baked to a crispy juicy perfection. Get your favourite Nando's chicken at home
"Awesome recipe. Everyone loved the chicken and asked for the recipe. I directed them to your site. Will be making this again"
What is Peri Peri Chicken? And is it Peri Peri or Piri Piri?
Peri peri chicken is a South African/Portuguese dish, made famous by the Nando's chain of restaurants.
Both countries are credited with the invention of the dish, but food historians think it was invented by Portuguese settlers in South Africa.
And the name, is it peri peri or piri piri? Piri Piri is the traditional Portuguese spelling whilst Peri Peri is more commonly used in South Africa.
What cut of chicken is best for homemade peri peri chicken?
I bought a mixed selection of chicken pieces, but you could use all drumsticks or the chicken quarters you can buy on the deli counter.
This marinade would also work with skinless or skin on chicken thighs, in fact chicken breasts would work too, but you would need to reduce the cooking time to ensure the chicken didn't dry out.
More often than not chicken thighs are my cut of choice. They are cheap to buy, easy to eat and always stay nice and juicy!!
Is Peri Peri Chicken Spicy?
Peri peri chicken can be spicy or mild. The beauty of this recipe is the starting mixture is packed with flavor so you won't miss the spice. But if you are a chili lover then just up the red pepper flakes or add some cayenne pepper.
Want to save this recipe?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Or if you are serving a mixed crowd add some chopped fresh chillies to the table and let people pep up their own meal.
What to serve with Peri Peri Chicken?
I love to serve this peri peri chicken with a big bowl of garlic rice some cooling coleslaw, and some soft flour wraps.
If you are a Peri peri fan then try my Peri Peri Chicken Burger.
Enjoy x
For more oven baked chicken recipes check out:
- Easy Garlic Chicken Parcels
- Garlic Greek Chicken
- Dill Pickle Stuffed Chicken
- Easy Cheesy Baked Fajita Chicken
- Baked Chicken with Tomatoes
- See all Oven Baked Chicken Recipes
Get the Recipe
Oven Baked Peri Peri Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1 lemon (Juice and zest)
- 1 orange (juice only)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoon sweet paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (more if you like it spicy)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2.2 lb Chicken pieces - skin on
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley to serve
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 200°C/390ºF.
- Place the minced garlic, lemon juice, orange juice and olive oil into bowl and mix to combine.
- Add the lemon zest, sweet paprika, black pepper, chilli flakes and oregano and mix well.
- Pour the marinate into a plastic bowl or large ziplock bag.
- Add the chicken pieces and leave to marinate for at least an hour but overnight will give you a great flavour.
- Lay the chicken out in a baking dish, sprinkle over the salt and cook in the oven for 45 minutes.
- Carefully baste the chicken with the pan juices and served sprinkled with fresh parsley.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition is per serving
Doris says
Tried this recipe. Everyone likes it.
Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts says
Oh I am so happy you enjoyed it 🙂
Thank you for taking the time to come back and comment.
Cx
Jen says
This was a big hit with the family. I followed the recipe, using 3 lbs worth of 4 chicken quarters and it came out delicious. At the end, I broiled them on high for 5-8 minutes to get the skin dark and crispy. Served with a homemade peri peri rice dish and fresh green salad.
Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts says
Oh I am so happy you enjoyed the chicken.
Thank you for taking the time to come back and comment:)
Cx
Petina says
Hi Claire, my son has just returned from Portugal which brought me into looking up Portuguese chicken recipes when I came upon your peri peri seasoning. I've just written down all the ingredients and then clicked on your recipe for oven baked peri peri chicken - I wanted to see how much of the seasoning I needed to use per 500g of chicken - but I see you don't use the peri peri seasoning in this recipe. can you please help me understand better which recipe I should use if I'm making peri peri oven baked chicken? thank you so much for your time - I know that it is precious. I look forward to hearing from you.
Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts says
You can definitely use my peri peri seasoning.
I usually use 1-2 tablespoon per large chicken breast.
Hope that helps
Cx
Veronica says
Wanted to say thank you, because I make this recipe every few months- its one of my faves and SUPER easy! I adjust every time based off what citrus is in the fridge. Sometimes it's 2 lemons no orange or an orange and just lemon juice... this week it will be 2 oranges no lemon. I serve it over white rice to sop up the sauce and its fab every time!
Claire McEwen says
Oh this makes me smile so much 🙂
So happy you enjoy it and love the fact you adapt it to suit what you have available.
Thank you for taking the time to come and comment
Cx
TheRubberStudiosASMR says
As a lover of nandos peri peri chicken (and basically anything to do with chicken) now I can make this for myself. Probably waaaaay cheaper too. Thanks for this wicked recipe!
Claire McEwen says
You are so welcome, I am glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Thanks for coming back to comment
Cx
bong says
Hi! This looks so good! Can I clarify - 3 pieces is 1 serving = 638kcal, carbs 6g, protein 61, fat 41g ?
Claire McEwen says
It really depends on the size of your chicken pieces. Things like a drumbstick will weigh less than a chicken thigh.
I would say 3 pieces is roughly a serving
hope that helps
Cx
AZ says
Hi made this turned out great however the sauce didn’t really stick to the chicken any idea why?
Claire McEwen says
Hmmm, I really am not sure.
Was the chicken very wet when it went into the marinade?
Or maybe the orange was extra large and juicy and made too much liquid.
Sorry I can't be more help
Cx
Swati Taywade says
My teenage son wanted to order chicken from Nandos and I told him let us avoid ordering from outside in this time. I was asked to cook a similar one, there you came to my rescue 😁, with every bite I just received compliment “Mamu I ♥️U”. Thanks, I felt so nice to see them happily enjoying their Peri Peri Chicken. My youngest one said, “ Super tasty, can you make more of these please”. Happy Mom & Happy Kids. Thanks a lot🤗
Claire McEwen says
Oh this makes me so happy!
I am so glad I was able to share a recipe that made everyone smile!
Thank you for the lovely comment!
Cx
Swatti Taywade says
My teenage son wanted to order chicken from Nandos and I told him let us avoid ordering from outside in this time.I was asked to cook a similar one, there you came to my rescue 😁, with every bite I just received compliment “Mamu I ♥️U”.Thanks, I felt so nice to see them happily enjoying their Peri Peri Chicken.My youngest one said, “ Super tasty, can you make more of these please”.Happy Mom & Happy Kids.Thanks a lot🤗
Cristina A. says
HI! I want to make 2 whole chickens about 4 to 6 pounds cut in pieces! What temperature would I cook them if I put the pieces in two baking dishes at the same time in the oven?
Claire McEwen says
Hi Cristina,
I would keep the oven temperature the same at 200°C/390ºF and cook the thigh and leg pieces for 50-60 minutes. After 30 minutes I would add the chicken breast pieces to ensure all the chicken gets a nice crispy exterior but the breasts don't overcook.
Hope that helps
Cx
Sidney says
Hi, I would like to make the chicken wings in the oven, I bought the peri peri sauce from Nandos, I was wondering if I could use that as a marinade? I would also like to try and do homemade marinades but since I have it at home, I was hoping I could try it.
Claire McEwen says
Hi Sidney,
I have never used the Nandos sauce, but having had a quick look online at it, I am sure it will work.
Hope that helps 😀
Mary-ellen says
If I left it whole (flattened) how long would I cook for?
Claire McEwen says
Usually flattened chicken take about 45 minutes at 425F. But at that temp I find that the spices start to burn on the chicken, so I would keep the temperature the same and cook the whole flattened chicken for an hour.
Hope that helps.
Cx
Marie says
If I use boneless breast how long should I cook it for also does it hff ave to have the skin or can it be skinless
Claire McEwen says
Hi Marie, When I cook Peri Peri chicken breasts in the oven I increase the temperature and decrease the time. So I will cook them at 450ºF/230ºC for 15-18 minutes. They are usually done after 15 minutes but really fat thick breasts can take a couple of extra minutes.
I've tried it with skin on and skin off and both cook in the same time so it is just personal preference there.
Hope that helps
Cx
Schippmom says
This was really good! I added a splash of balsamic vinegar as I had no orange juice, as well as a teaspoon of dried cilantro. Recipe was spot on!
Claire McEwen says
Oh I am so pleased you enjoyed it 😀
I am loving the adaptions too, I bet the vinegar added a great tang!
Carol H Dempsey says
Great Peri-Peri Chicken Recipe
I was in a hurry and it worked great in the oven.
I added some liquid smoke since it was raining and
I could not grill it which is what I usually do.
I had to adjust my oven up to 500 degrees which is
probably due to living below sea level.
Thanks and I did sign up for your newsletter~
CSD
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Carol,
So please you enjoyed the recipe.
I bet the liquid smoke added a wonderful flavor to the chicken.
Sammie says
I know that everyone in our household will love this Peri Peri Chicken And I love that it’s easily baked in the oven. Cannot wait to try this.
Becca says
My husband is British and recently moved to the US to be with me- leaving behind his previous Nando’s and butcher-shop peri peri. Looking forward to trying this recipe with him tonight! I tried it on my parents several weeks ago and it turned out great! Just one question: mine wasn’t very crispy- how can I get it to crisp up more on top? Thanks- and yumm!
Claire McEwen says
Hi Becca, so happy you and your parents enjoyed it. I hope your hubby does too 😀
If you want a crispier skin what I tend to do is to push off any marinade and then pat the skin dry with kitchen paper towel. This will help it crisp up a little more.
You could try it under the broiler but I haven't tested that myself so not sure how it will work.
Becca says
Hi, Claire- I actually tried this again last night, and for some reason, it came out just about perfect! The previous time, I'd marinated it for about 8 hours, whereas this time I only marinated it for an hour. That's the only difference I can think of. But, we LOVED it! It was just right in terms of crispiness on top. In his words, "I could definitely eat this again!" Thank you 🙂
Claire McEwen says
Oh I am happy to read this 😀 😀 😀
I am so glad it was perfect for you and you could recreate Nando's for your husband.
Thank you for taking the time to come back and comment again.
Cx
Foodido says
It's not South African. It was actually invented in Mozambique. The Portuguese then added their special touch (garlic, lemon, paprika and olive oil) which made it what it is today - delicious.
Claire McEwen says
Thank you, I didn't know it originated in Mozambique! My SA friends have always told me it was a South African dish!
Love learning new facts about food 😀
Ella Yoti says
South Africa and Mozambique was one country before colonization. Maybe that's why there's a bit of confusion,also Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in South Africa.
Golden melon expert says
This is an absolute go to chicken recipe. Remind me of my aunt's peri peri recipe. I couldn't get in touch with her to ask her of it so, I ecided to look something up online. Thank you for this hon.
Claire McEwen says
You are welcome....so pleased you enjoy it 😀
Michele @ Queenbeebaker says
We are always looking for new chicken recipes. This looks SO delicious!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Michele
maria says
My family and I just love peri peri chicken when ordering out. I will follow up on your suggestion and make it on the BBQ... smokey, sweet and spicy!
Stunning photography! Thanks for sharing ♥
Claire McEwen says
You are welcome Maria, I do hope your family loves this 😀
maria says
My family and I just love peri peri chicken when ordering out. I will follow up on your suggestion and make it on the BBQ... smokey, sweet and spicy!
Stunning photography! Thanks for sharing ♥
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Maria, I hope your family love it 😀
Jessica (Swanky Recipes) says
This chicken has all the classic spices I love to season my chicken with. We are always looking for new chicken recipes to add to our weeknight dinners. I'm going to try this one tomorrow and serve it with risotto.
Claire McEwen says
Ooooh I bet it will be a great and different accompaniment to risotto 😀
Carol Borchardt says
I'm all over this flavor combination! We don't have a Nando's here that I know of but I tried Peri Peri Chicken at a different restaurant and have been itching to recreate it ever since! Love that you used legs and thighs--they're so budget-friendly!
Claire McEwen says
They are so much better value than chicken breast aren't they. And I think so much nicer!
Hope you love it Carol.
Jessica Pinney says
Wow! That chicken looks gorgeous! I've heard of Peri Peri chicken before but never knew what all it entailed. Thanks for sharing so that I could learn.
Claire McEwen says
You are welcome Jessica, I hope you enjoy it 😀
Rachel says
I wish I could just pick a piece of this chicken off of my computer screen! It looks sooo good! Serving it with garlic rice sounds even better!
Claire McEwen says
It is sooo good with the rice! But also perfect the following day for lunch 😀
Anne Lawton says
I have never heard of Peri Peri Chicken, it sounds delicious! I love sweet and spicy together, I can't wait to try this out!
Claire McEwen says
I hope you love it Anne 😀
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
Well, we have one of our chicken dinners for the week. It sounds fantastic and like you we prefer chicken thighs, they are so forgiving. We had a piri piri mix one time and I don't know where it is. I think you added a liquid to it. I can't wait to try it.
Claire McEwen says
I find that chicken thighs are often on special as well! So winner winner chicken dinner!
I hope you love it as much as we do Marisa 😀
Ben Myhre says
Thighs are BY FAR my favorite cut of meat and this dish looks pretty dang good. In fact, I have a family pack of thighs in my freezer and I might have something to do with them now.
Claire McEwen says
They are just so much juicer and packed with flavor aren't they!
i hope your family love this 😀
Cindy says
I've had this in portuguese restaurants for so many years and always wondered how to make it. I think I've seen it spelled pirri pirri on menus? going to try making my own this weekend and will let you know, tysm
Claire McEwen says
Oh I have never seen it spelt like that, it is so interesting how words and language develop is it!
lauren says
We eat a ton of chicken, can't wait to try this! I've heard of Peri Peri Chicken before but have never tried it. The marinade sounds sooo flavorful!
Claire McEwen says
It is wonderful and so packed with flavor!
I hope you enjoy it 😀
Jenni LeBaron says
This Peri-Peri chicken looks wonderful! So many layers of flavor!
Claire McEwen says
It really is such a great dish Jenni, my boys love it and everyone always asks for the recipe 😀
Anna says
I always wondered about which one is correct, peri-peri or piri-piri, so thanks for explaining that! 🙂 And I absolutely adore Nando's peri-peri sauce, but yours looks and sounds much better!
Claire McEwen says
You are welcome, I love looking into food history 😉
Thank you so much, I love nandos but it is always nice to be able to make it home where you know exactly what has gone into it!
Kitty says
I have to try this! I actually wasn't impressed by Nando's. I thought the sauces tasted processed. But a scratch recipe I can get behind.
Claire McEwen says
I do hope you enjoy it then Kitty 😀
Joanie says
The flavors in the marinade are fabulous! I usually use boneless skinless chicken breasts and my family loves it. Great recipe!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you so much for coming back to comment.
I love that it works with chicken breasts 😀
Deanna says
I am loving the spice mixture that you have in this Peri Peri chicken!!! It looks and sounds amazing!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Deanna, it is a firm favorite in our house 😀
Zeeshan Mohammed says
Awesome recipe. Everyone loved the chicken and asked for the recipe. I directed them to your site. Will be makeing this again
Claire McEwen says
Oh thank you so much for coming back to comment! I am so happy to hear your family loved it 😀
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
Legs and thighs are always my first choice for chicken -- they just seem meatier and more tender. The flavors in your Peri Peri sound mouthwatering and I love that you can make the whole thing in the oven.
Claire McEwen says
I agree completely Lisa!
It is meatier and just seems to stay juicer!
I love a good oven cooked meal 😀
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
The flavors in that marinade sound amazing. I would definitely try your recommended overnight marinating for the most flavor (and take you up on the suggestion for a kick of cayenne too.) We don't have a Nando's here so I had to Google that one. Looks great, and this recipe looks amazing!
Claire McEwen says
If you have the time I do think overnight marinating is best for so many dishes. It just gives so much flavour.
I didn't realise Nando weren't a global brand! I'm even happier that I did a copycat recipe now 😀
Denise says
I never heard of Peri Peri chicken, but it sure looks scrumptious! The flavors sound amazing. I must make this recipe to try!
Claire McEwen says
Oh I hope you try it soon Denise, it is such a great dish packed with flavour 😀
Tina says
Saving this and making it this weekend! I love that I have options for spicy levels!
Claire McEwen says
I hope you enjoy it Tina 😀
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
Peri Peri chicken is a big favourite in our house and this looks absolutely delicious! Love the idea of serving it with some garlic rice.
Claire McEwen says
Oh I hope you try this soon then 😀
the first time I saw the combo with rice I was confused but it just works so well.
Patty says
I've never been at Nando's but I certainly don't need to, I know I'd prefer your recipe, that chicken looks and sounds so good, love the heat!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Patty.
It is packed with flavour and everyone always enjoys the meal 😀