The piri piri is a variety of chili "Capsicum frutescens". Small, oval, and pointed in shape, it resembles a bird's eye, which is why it is called that in some places.
The word Piri piri means pepper in Swahili and is also called peri peri or peli peli.
This hot chili is mainly grown in Angola and Mozambique and was incorporated into Portuguese cuisine as a main ingredient for its spicy sauces that accompany meats, especially piri piri chicken.
Its fruity flavor clearly distinguishes it from other chiles grown in Africa and makes the dish "Piri-piri chicken" famous worldwide, with particular attention given to the Nando's restaurant chain.
The level of spiciness of Piri piri ranges from moderate to high, with a Scoville scale value of between 100,000 and 200,000.
Piri Piri Sauce
With a quick and easy preparation, this spicy sauce is perfect for seasoning any dish.
Ingredients
- 6 piri piri chilies
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (Pimentón de la Vera)
- Ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 50 ml lemon juice
- 100 ml olive oil
Preparation
Blend the chilies, 1 garlic clove, bay leaves, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, lemon juice, and olive oil in the specified amounts until the mixture is homogeneous.
The spicy sauce can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight jar and will last for a long time.
Piri Piri Chicken
With this spicy dish, preparing it on the grill to give it a smoky touch or in the oven will result in an exquisite and juicy spicy chicken.
Ingredients
- 1 chicken cut in half (butterfly style)
- 150 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 cayenne pepper (to taste)
- The juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon wine vinegar
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Salt
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 190ºC, both top and bottom heat.
Cut the chicken in half butterfly style. Add salt and pepper.
Place the chicken with the skin side down in a large baking dish and put it in the oven.
Prepare the piri piri sauce by blending all the ingredients together with paprika, wine vinegar, and salt.
When the chicken starts to brown, brush the top with plenty of piri piri sauce and flip it over.
When the skin side starts to brown, brush this side too with plenty of spicy sauce.
The spicy chicken will cook for about 20 minutes on each side, remaining juicy and well browned.
Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
