Piri-Piri Chicken

Photo: Christina Holmes

PUBLISHED July 22, 2025

Piri-piri is both a fiery chile and the African hot sauce named for it, which is commonly used as a table condiment, ingredient—or marinade, as in this recipe. Heat isn’t the only attraction; the sauce is loaded with garlic and lemon juice. Since piri-piri chiles can be tough to get your hands on, make the marinade with the hottest red chiles you can find. Or dial down the heat by using a mix of mild and hot chiles—or even all mild, like poblano or New Mexico green chiles. (Removing the seeds and white ribs will also help tame the heat; wear rubber gloves, please.) I make this with a cut-up chicken, but you can use a spatchcocked chicken or any combo of chicken parts.

 

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Piri-Piri Chicken

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Makes
4 servings 1x


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