Peri-peri chicken is one of those meals that tastes like it should require far more effort than it actually does.
Spicy, garlicky and packed with flavour, it works just as well for a quick weekday dinner as it does for a weekend meal.
And you do not need to spend hours making a marinade.
Here is a simple way to make peri-peri chicken at home.
What you will need
Chicken breast or chicken thighs
Peri-peri seasoning or a peri-peri Flavour Sheet
Your choice of side dish
That really can be all you need.
How to make easy peri-peri chicken
Start with your chicken.
If you are using a traditional peri-peri seasoning, apply it evenly across the chicken before cooking.
Make sure the seasoning reaches both sides so the flavour is distributed properly.
Cook the chicken using your preferred method and according to the appropriate instructions for the cut you are using.
Make sure the chicken is completely cooked before serving.
Serve with rice, potatoes, vegetables or salad.
How to make it even easier
If you do not want to measure seasoning, mix a marinade or clean up loose spices afterwards, use a peri-peri Flavour Sheet.
Place the chicken onto the seasoned sheet.
Wrap the sheet around the chicken.
Cook according to the instructions.
As the chicken cooks, the peri-peri seasoning transfers directly onto the surface.
That is it.
No mixing bowl.
No marinade.
No measuring spices.
What does peri-peri chicken go with?
One of the reasons peri-peri chicken is so useful is that it works with almost anything.
For a quick dinner, serve it with rice and vegetables.
For something more indulgent, add chips or potato wedges.
For a lighter meal, serve it with salad.
You can also slice the chicken and add it to wraps or rice bowls.
Peri-peri chicken and rice
Chicken and rice is one of the easiest midweek meals.
Use peri-peri seasoning on the chicken, cook it thoroughly and serve it sliced over rice.
Add sweetcorn, peppers, salad or whatever vegetables you already have.
Peri-peri chicken wraps
Cook peri-peri chicken breast or strips and slice them.
Add the chicken to a wrap with lettuce, tomato and cucumber.
You can add your favourite sauce if you want extra heat or creaminess.
Peri-peri chicken salad
If you want something lighter, peri-peri chicken is a great way to make salad more interesting.
Slice the cooked chicken over lettuce, tomato, cucumber and peppers.
The seasoning means the chicken itself brings plenty of flavour to the meal.
Can you make peri-peri chicken without marinating it?
Yes.
You do not need to leave chicken in a peri-peri marinade overnight.
Dry seasoning can be applied immediately before cooking.
A peri-peri Flavour Sheet can also transfer seasoning onto the chicken while it cooks.
That makes it ideal when you decide what you are having for dinner at the last minute.
Is peri-peri chicken healthy?
That depends on the overall meal, the ingredients you use and the portion size.
Chicken breast is a popular source of protein, and pairing seasoned chicken with vegetables, salad or rice can create a simple balanced meal.
The seasoning itself is primarily there to make the chicken taste better.
How do you stop peri-peri chicken drying out?
Avoid cooking the chicken for longer than necessary.
Chicken breast in particular can become dry if it is overcooked.
Use the correct cooking method for the size and cut of chicken and make sure it is fully cooked before serving.
Big flavour does not need big effort
Peri-peri chicken is a perfect example of how simple ingredients can produce a really tasty meal.
You can make your own marinade.
You can use a dry seasoning.
Or you can make things even simpler with a peri-peri Flavour Sheet.
Wrap. Cook. Enjoy.