There’s more to peri-peri chicken than your average grilled chicken. It’s probably the marinade and garlic and chilli hit that gives it that extra something. Of course, the tang takes centre stage at first, before the chilli kicks in.
So what is it exactly?
Technically, peri-peri chicken is grilled or roasted chicken that’s marinated or seasoned with chilli sauce. Chillies, garlic and lemon help create a marinade that’s full of flavour and tang. There’s also a good hit of heat, but this is important: the focus is more on the flavour than the heat.
The origin of the term peri-peri is thought to be a small African bird’s eye chilli, closely related to the bird’s eye chilli varieties we see in other parts of the world.
The concept isn’t too difficult. Chicken is coated in the marinade and cooked until it’s tender and has that lovely browning on the outside.
Peri-peri chicken can be served in all sorts of ways. You can get a half peri-peri chicken with fries, chicken burgers, peri-peri wings or a wrap. The list goes on.
The recipe varies, but the marinade and style of preparation give the dish its character.
Where Did Peri-Peri Chicken Originate?
Peri-peri chicken has its roots in both African and Portuguese cuisines.
It is especially connected to Mozambique and other areas of southern Africa, where different styles of piri-piri sauces have been absorbed into the local food culture. The Portuguese also played a big part in how these foodways evolved and propagated.
Chilli peppers were not originally indigenous to Africa. They are from the Americas and were introduced to Africa many centuries ago through the trade routes. Different types of chillies have been incorporated into local cuisines. The small chillies used in peri-peri are examples of these.
It is difficult to say who created peri-peri chicken. Therefore, attributing it to a particular country is also difficult.
What is known is the popularity of grilled chicken with a mixture of chilli, garlic, and lemon, and other acidic ingredients with acidity, throughout its region of origin and beyond.
We can say peri-peri chicken is well on its way to becoming a popular grilled chicken dish among Brits who appreciate flavourful grilled food.
What Does It Taste Like?
Peri-peri chicken has a base flavour of grilled chicken, with the addition of chilli, garlic and other spices. It is also tangy due to the addition of lemon juice.
The sauce coats the chicken evenly, and you will notice the chicken is tender. The marinade has a nice balance of flavours, and lemon gives it a sharpness that cuts through the chicken’s richness.
Then there’s the garlic and seasoning. The garlic and seasoning provide a more developed flavour than just straight-up pepper and heat.
Of course, we can’t forget the spice.
Peri-peri chicken can range from a mild, subtle burn to a spicy, lingering burn that you feel with every bite.
Flame-grilling the chicken gives it a slightly charred, browned skin, which provides an added flavour to the marinade. A slightly charred skin gives a good finish to the marinade.
Grilled peri-peri chicken is spicy without having the overpowering flavour of straight-up chilli.
Because the flavours can be balanced well, it’s an appealing dish to people who prefer spicy food and to people who don’t.
What Goes Into Peri-Peri Sauce?
Every restaurant that sells peri-peri chicken follows their own recipe, so peri-peri sauces can have a varying taste from place to place.
Garlic is universally used to give peri-peri sauces their flavours. Bird’s eye chiles, also known as African chillies, are traditional to peri-peri sauces, but other types of chillies are used to add heat as well.
Peri-peri sauces have a savoury flavour, so Lemon or vinegar are added to balance the spice.
Oil is added to thin the sauce out and make it easier to coat the chicken.
Paprika, oregano, and other herbs and spices can also be added.
It’s the balance of all of these flavours that matters.
The flavour in a sauce can be enhanced by adding different ingredients. More lemon can make a sauce sharp and zesty. More garlic can make a sauce bolder. More chilli can make a sauce hot.
For these reasons, when you order peri-peri chicken from different restaurants, it will not always taste the same.
How Is Peri-Peri Chicken Cooked?
One of the reasons that peri-peri chicken is appealing is the way that it is cooked.
It is seasoned before it is cooked, and this usually gives it a more intense flavour.
The Process of Preparing Chicken
The peri-peri sauce or marinade is usually a combination of citrus, garlic, chilli, and seasonings.
Sometimes the marinade is left on the chicken for a few minutes, and other times it is left on for several hours.
This can influence the flavours of the inside of the chicken, and it can retain moisture.
There is not a right or wrong time for how long chicken should marinate. Depending on the ingredients, how big the piece of chicken is, and the method of cooking, all influence how long it should marinate.
Method of Cooking
Flame grilling is usually the method of cooking that is used for peri-peri chicken.
When the chicken cooks, the outside begins to brown and turns a deeper colour, with lightly cooked parts.
The browned parts of the chicken give it a more intense and deeper flavour. The marinade of the chicken gives it a spicy and tangy flavour.
Peri-peri chicken can be cooked in a conventional oven, but grilling usually gives it a better and more intense flavour.
Whichever method is used, the chicken needs to be cooked thoroughly before serving.
Is Peri-Peri Chicken Always Hot?
Mild peri-peri is perfect for someone who is not very fond of spicy food. It has garlic, citrus and some mild seasoning.
The spice level in peri-peri chicken is according to your preference. Hence, choosing mild peri-peri is totally fine.
For people who like food that is a little hot, the spice level can be increased to medium. Hot and extra hot options are more suited for people who like food with a dominant chilli flavour.
One important thing to note here is that the level of hotness of a particular restaurant’s medium peri-peri will be different from what another restaurant calls medium.
So for first-timers, it’s best to go with a spice level that is most comfortable. You can always experiment with hotter flavours next time.
What should you eat with Peri-peri Chicken?
Peri-peri chicken has a bold flavour, so choosing a side that helps complement the bold flavour or simply counterbalances the hotness of the food is a good idea.
Fries are always a good side. The crispy and salty texture, along with the extra peri-peri sauce, makes a good combo.
Rice is also a good side. Its mild flavour doesn’t let the chicken take a backseat. It also helps to balance out a really spicy meal.
A fresh salad can also complement grilled chicken. Different textures and flavours are always fun to experiment with.
Another idea is to try pitta bread. It’s super easy to transport and offers a different way to combine your favourite chicken, salad and sauce components.
If you’re going for dinner with a group, picking different sides to go with your grilled chicken allows for variation.
It really is up to you. You can customise your dish however you see fit.
Want to Know More About Peri-Peri Chicken in Wallington?
You can find out about peri-peri chicken all you want, but nothing beats picking your favourite peri-peri sauce level and meal.
At Olives Peri Peri in Wallington, you’ll find peri-peri chicken, wings and burgers, as well as pizzas, wraps, and other takeaway options.
Discover what’s on the menu and place your order by clicking the Uber Eats or Just Eat links on their page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is peri-peri chicken grilled or fried?
It is usually grilled, but it can be cooked in any manner and still carry the title of “peri-peri chicken.”
Is all peri-peri chicken the same?
Not at all. Different recipes incorporate different kinds of chilli, and different spices and herbs. Some rely more heavily on chillies, while others more on garlic, and still others on other seasonings. Some are quite tangy, and others quite sweet.
Is it possible to enjoy peri-peri chicken if you do not normally eat spicy food?
Possibly. Most restaurants have mild options, and there is a huge difference in spiciness from chicken to chicken. Many restaurants use different kinds of chillies and seasonings to elicit different kinds of flavours.
How is peri-peri chicken different from other grilled chicken?
The main difference is the marinade. Other than that, standard grilled chicken is pretty bland in comparison to peri-peri chicken.
Best sides for peri-peri chicken?
Pitta bread and salads are classic sides and can be really nice with some cooling effects from a milder peri-peri sauce. Fries and rice are also good to soak up the extra sauce, or accompany the chicken. Grilled vegetables are also a good choice.
Peri-peri chicken is a fantastic take on chicken. The chicken is marinated with garlic, citrus, and chilli, and then grilled.
Peri-peri sauce can range from mild to very spicy, all the way to a smoky finish. You don’t need to like extremely spicy foods to appreciate peri-peri.
You can always start with a peri-peri sauce level that is comfortable for you, and pair it with your favourite sides.
You might just discover a new favourite takeaway meal.
