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.
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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
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
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