Il Cucinologo
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Piri Piri Chicken

17/11/2023

Piri piri chicken is a traditional African dish, particularly widespread in Mozambique and Angola where it is very popular for its spicy and aromatic flavor. Here is a variant with an Italian touch!

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken thighs (you can also use breast or drumsticks)
  • 2 fresh red chilies (or according to the desired level of spiciness)
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 piece of fresh ginger (about 2 cm)
  • The juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons of white vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika (or sweet)
  • 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
  • 1 bunch of fresh parsley, chopped (Italian addition)
  • 30 ml of extra virgin olive oil (Italian substitute for seed oil)
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. First, clean the chicken thighs well, removing any excess skin or fat residues.
  2. Make the marinade for the chicken by combining the chilies (without seeds if you prefer less spicy), garlic, ginger, lemon juice, vinegar, paprika, oregano, a pinch of salt and black pepper in a blender or mortar if you prefer to do everything by hand. Blend until you obtain a homogeneous sauce.
  3. Add the extra virgin olive oil and chopped parsley to the marinade, stirring to combine.
  4. Place the chicken in a large bowl or food bag and pour the marinade over it, making sure the chicken is completely covered. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least a couple of hours, even better overnight.
  5. Preheat the oven to 200 Ā°C and place the chicken on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Pour the remaining marinade over the meat as well.
  6. Bake and cook for about 40-45 minutes or until the chicken is well golden and crispy on the outside. If you have a kitchen thermometer, the internal temperature should reach 74 Ā°C.
  7. Serve the piri piri chicken hot, perhaps accompanied by a fresh salad or roasted potatoes.

Trivia

The name ā€œpiri piriā€ comes from the variety of chili used in this recipe, also known as ā€˜African birdā€™s eye chiliā€™. The characteristic is that, despite the high level of spiciness, it also gives a deep and aromatic taste that pairs perfectly with chicken meat.

If you want to continue completing this dish with an all-Italian touch, you could prepare a side of grilled vegetables with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a dusting of Parmesan, in perfect Mediterranean style. Enjoy your meal!