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Why not make your favourite Nando's Chicken at home! This easy Peri Peri Chicken has all the flavour you know and love from Nando's but much cheaper. It's simple to make and cooks in 40 minutes - you can even cook it on the BBQ too. Spice up your meals times with this flaming hot chicken!
We love recreating our favourite restaurant meals at home. Not only are they cheaper to make yourself, but healthier too because you can control exact what does in to it. Nando's has soared in popularity in recent years, and it's no wonder with their deliciously spicy chicken. Serve with some rice, bread and salad for a homemade version of Nandos.
Why should you try it?
✔ Cheaper and healthier version of Nandos
✔ Cooks in just 40 minutes
✔ An easy Peri Peri marinade
✔ Great for batch cooking
How To Make Peri Peri Chicken - step by step:
One: Put all of the marinade ingredients in a bowl and mix well.


Watch our web story for a quick how-to on making this Peri Peri Chicken.
What is Peri Peri?
Peri Peri is actually a chilli, and it's also known as the African bird's eye chilli. We think of peri peri as the actual sauce or seasoning, but the chillies are mixed with garlic, salt, paprika and herb to make the seasoning and then mixed in to olive oil, lemon and vinegar to make the sauce. Some people call it Piri Piri, but Peri Peri is what we are more used to in the UK.
Most people think that Nando's is Portuguese, because of the chicken symbol that is associated with Portugal I guess, but it is actually South African, and that is where all their chillies are grown.
Peri Peri Marinade
This recipe really is all about the homemade Peri Peri marinade and it couldn't be more simple. We took some lemon juice and olive oil and mixed it with chilli flakes, paprika, garlic, oregano, parsley and basil and seasoned with salt and pepper. So easy, but packs a serious flavour punch.
How Spicy Is It?
Peri Peri chicken has a proper kick to it, but that's the whole point of it really. It has plenty of flavour too, so it isn't just about the spice. But the spice is important. I am guessing if you don't like spicy food, then you wouldn't have found your way to this recipe.
If you are making it for people that don't love spicy food, then you could either use less chillies in the recipe, or make sure you have a creamy and cooling dip on the side to take some of the edge off.
Do I Have To Marinade it First?
You don't have to, but I would say it certainly helps. Leave it for a couple of hours if you can, but at least 30 minutes before cooking at least. The longer you can marinade it, the better it will taste, so go overnight if possible.
What Chicken To Use
We used chicken thighs (skin on and bone in) in this recipe, as they are nice and juicy. But, you could use drumsticks, breast or even do a whole chicken with this seasoning on. Cooking times will vary depending on what kind of chicken you are using though, so make sure to use a thermometer to check it is cooked.
How To Serve Peri Peri Chicken
Anyone that has been to Nando's will know just how many sides they have on offer, and we do like a side dish. I would go with a classic fries, corn and slaw combo to compliment this chicken. Why not try our Garlic Potato Wedges, Mexican Coleslaw and Grilled Corn with Herb Butter. If you want to serve it with rice, like we have, then try our Easy Spanish Rice.
Extra Tips:
- This recipe uses 2 tsp of chilli flakes. If you don't like a lot of spice, reduce it to 1 tsp.
- Make your own Nando's sauce by taking all the same seasonings in this recipe again and mixing it with some lemon juice, more oil and some vinegar until the desired consistency.
- We used chicken thighs, but you can use drumsticks, breasts or even a whole chicken.
- Try to marinade it overnight if you can, but at least 30 minutes in the fridge if you don't have a lot of time.
- To make sure the chicken has reached the desired internal temperature, we used this Thermapen. (aff)
Want to try some other chicken recipes? How about these:
Easy Italian Chicken
Chicken Kiev
Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken
Cajun Chicken Burger
Grilled Chicken Tacos
Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
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DON’T FORGET TO RATE THE RECIPE ↓

Peri Peri Chicken (Homemade Nando's Recipe)

Ingredients
- 8 Chicken thighs
Marinade
- 1 Lemon (juice only)
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tsp Paprika
- 2 tsp Chilli flakes (less if you don't like too spicy, but I didn't find it too spicy)
- 2 cloves Garlic crushed
- 2 tsp Dried oregano
- 2 tsp Dried basil
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
- 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Put all of the marinade ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
- Put the chicken in to a large bowl and add the marinade. Mix well. Put in the fridge for 30-60 minutes so the chicken marinates.
- Put in a baking dish or onto a baking sheet.
- Put in a preheated oven at 220°C/425°F/Gas 7 and bake for 40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (reached an internal temperature of 74°C/165°F)
Notes
- This recipe uses 2 tsp of chilli flakes. If you don't like a lot of spice, reduce it to 1 tsp.
- Make your own Nando's sauce by taking all the same seasonings in this recipe again and mixing it with some lemon juice, more oil and some vinegar until the desired consistency.
- We used chicken thighs, but you can use drumsticks, breasts or even a whole chicken.
- Try to marinade it overnight if you can, but at least 30 minutes in the fridge if you don't have a lot of time.
- To make sure the chicken has reached the desired internal temperature, we used this Thermapen. (aff)
Nutritional Information
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Alison
This looks really tasty and easy to make, the perfect summer recipe
oana79
This sounds yum, I made a similar chicken recipe for dinner tonight but as we don't have a proper BBQ, I roasted it in the oven. I do need that Thermapen though, as I always overcook my meat!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
Well I'm glad you guys got to break out the BBQ! Hey, 3 times is better than no times, right? ;) I love peri peri chicken and yours looks fabulous, Dannii! So much flava!! Cheers, girlie!
Jessica @ Jessica in the Kitchen
Looks like such an easy weeknight dish!
Alida @My Little Italian Kitchen
This chicken looks so succulent and super delicious! I want to try it!
Georgia
Lovely dish, my other half would love this recipe and we'd just need to buy a new bbq to test this out!!
Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry
What a healthy dish packed full of flavour. Great for barbecues too.
This Mama Life
Ooh sounds super yummy! I'm a big fan of said chain restaurant so should really try and make something similar at home :) x
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C
I've never heard of Peri Peri Chicken, but it looks delicious! The Thermapen sounds like a good idea for grilling. I'm always worried about over/under cooking the meat!
Tara
I have actually never tried Peri Peri chicken. We have a chain here too, but haven't visited yet. Looks absolutely amazing and definitely a perfect choice for a warm day.
Rebecca
Yum yum, this looks perfect! We're big chicken lovers in our house, will definitely need to try this out x
francesca
Oh YUM!!! that looks delicious! We are big lovers of Peri Peri chicken here and I love that its bbq'd on here!!
Nayna Kanabar
We love using Peri Peri it is one of our favourite sauces to use.
Hannah
I love chicken so I definitely need to try this out X
Maria @closeothome
I always want to buy thighs b/c they are cheaper, now I know what to do with them. Thanks for the recipe.
Harriet from Toby & Roo
Yummy! I love peri peri spice, it's one of the best! H x
Helen
The chicken looks gorgeous! I love peri-peri chicken but haven't tried making it myself, I'll definitely be trying it soon now I've read how easy it is though.
Kavey
Great flavours, I'm a big fan of homemade peri peri dishes!
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts
I would love this with tofu! Thanks for the inspiration :)
Paul Fowler
I like a little bit of spice to my food, but not too much. How spicy is this?