How To Make Peri Peri Chicken In Air Fryer

If you’re a fan of deliciously spicy and flavorful chicken, then peri peri chicken is a must-try dish. This popular Portuguese dish is known for its fiery peri peri sauce, made from a blend of hot peppers, garlic, lemon, and spices. The best part? You can easily make peri peri chicken right in your air fryer for a healthier version without compromising on taste!

Using an air fryer to cook peri peri chicken is not only a healthier option, but it also helps to achieve that crispy outer layer while keeping the meat juicy and tender on the inside. The hot air circulation in the air fryer ensures even cooking and eliminates the need for excessive oil.

To make peri peri chicken in the air fryer, start by marinating the chicken in the peri peri sauce. The longer you marinate the chicken, the more intense the flavor will be. While the chicken is marinating, preheat the air fryer to ensure it’s hot and ready for cooking.

Once the air fryer is preheated, arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook the chicken at a high temperature, flipping halfway through, until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the chicken pieces, so it’s important to check for doneness with a meat thermometer.

Once the peri peri chicken is cooked to perfection, serve it with your favorite sides, such as rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad. The combination of the spicy peri peri sauce and the crispy chicken will surely tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more!

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Prepare Ingredients

Before starting to cook peri peri chicken in an air fryer, it is important to gather all the necessary ingredients. Here is a list of ingredients you will need:

Once all the ingredients are gathered, it is time to start preparing the peri peri chicken in the air fryer.

Get the necessary components for the dish

To make peri peri chicken in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

1. Chicken: Use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces such as drumsticks or thighs for the best results. You can also use boneless chicken if preferred.

2. Peri peri marinade: Prepare a spicy peri peri marinade using ingredients like garlic, onion, red chilli flakes, lemon juice, paprika, olive oil, salt, and black pepper.

3. Air fryer: You will need an air fryer to cook the chicken. Make sure it is preheated before adding the chicken.

4. Basting brush: A basting brush will be helpful to evenly coat the chicken with the peri peri marinade.

5. Serving suggestions: Consider serving the peri peri chicken with sides like rice, salad, or grilled vegetables to complete the meal.

6. Optional: If desired, garnish the cooked peri peri chicken with fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley for added flavor and presentation.

By gathering these essential components, you can start preparing and cooking your delicious peri peri chicken in the air fryer!

Create Peri Peri Marinade

To make the delicious peri peri marinade for your chicken, you will need the following ingredients:

• 4 red chilies, finely chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper

In a bowl, combine the chopped red chilies, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to ensure all the ingredients are evenly combined.

This peri peri marinade is spicy and packed with flavor. If you prefer a milder version, you can reduce the amount of red chilies or remove the seeds before chopping them. Feel free to adjust the seasonings according to your taste.

Once the marinade is ready, place your chicken pieces in a resealable plastic bag or a bowl. Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure each piece is coated evenly. Seal the bag or cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to develop.

Variations:

If you want to add a tangy twist to your peri peri marinade, you can also add 2 tablespoons of vinegar or Worcestershire sauce. For a touch of sweetness, you can include 1 tablespoon of honey or brown sugar. These additional ingredients will enhance the complexity of the marinade and make it even more irresistible.

Remember to discard any leftover marinade that has come into contact with the raw chicken to prevent cross-contamination. You can use the marinade as a basting sauce while cooking or as a dipping sauce when serving.

Prepare a flavorful marinade for the chicken

To make your peri peri chicken deliciously aromatic and spicy, you’ll need to create a flavorful marinade. Start by gathering the following ingredients:

• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of peri peri sauce
• 2 pounds of chicken, cut into pieces

In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, ground black pepper, salt, olive oil, and peri peri sauce. Mix them well until all the ingredients are fully incorporated.

Place the chicken pieces in a large ziplock bag or a bowl, and pour the marinade over them. Make sure each piece is well coated with the marinade by massaging it gently into the chicken. Seal the bag or cover the bowl with cling film and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.

The longer the chicken marinates, the more intensely it will be infused with the peri peri flavors. So, if you have the time, give it a good 24 hours for the best results.

Once the chicken has marinated to your satisfaction, it’s ready to be air-fried to perfection using your air fryer.

Marinate the Chicken

To infuse the chicken with delicious flavors, the first step is to marinate it. This allows the spices and seasonings to penetrate the meat, resulting in a mouthwatering dish.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 kg chicken pieces
• 4 tablespoons peri peri sauce
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine peri peri sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create a marinade.
2. Place the chicken pieces in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag.
3. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring that each piece is coated evenly. Massage the marinade into the chicken using your hands.
4. Cover the dish with plastic wrap or seal the bag, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best results.

Marinating the chicken for a longer period will intensify the flavors and result in a more tender meat. Remember to flip the chicken pieces occasionally to ensure even marination.

Coat the Chicken with the Peri Peri Marinade

Before cooking your Peri Peri chicken in the air fryer, it’s essential to marinate the chicken to infuse it with flavor. In this recipe, we’ll be using a delicious peri peri marinade.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup peri peri sauce
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1. In a bowl, combine the peri peri sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to make the marinade.

2. Place the chicken thighs in a ziplock bag or a shallow dish. Pour the peri peri marinade over the chicken, making sure it is well-coated on all sides. You can use your hands to massage the marinade into the chicken, ensuring that it is evenly distributed.

3. Seal the ziplock bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight. This will allow the flavors to penetrate the chicken and make it more tender and tasty.

4. Once the chicken has marinated, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.

5. Remove the chicken from the marinade, shaking off any excess, and place it in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure the chicken pieces are not touching or overlapping.

6. Cook the chicken in the air fryer for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is golden brown and crispy on the outside.

7. Once done, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Tip: Serve the peri peri chicken with a side of fresh salad, roasted potatoes, or steamed vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal. Enjoy the fiery and flavorful taste of this delicious Peri Peri chicken made in the air fryer!

Preheat Air Fryer

Before you start cooking the peri peri chicken in the air fryer, it is important to preheat the appliance. Preheating helps to ensure that the chicken cooks evenly and gets a nice crispy exterior.

Here are the steps to preheat your air fryer:

1. Plug in the air fryer and set the temperature to 400°F (200°C).
2. Allow the air fryer to preheat for about 3-5 minutes. This time may vary depending on the model of your air fryer, so it’s a good idea to check the instruction manual for specific preheating times.
3. While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the peri peri chicken according to the recipe instructions.
4. Once the air fryer has reached the desired temperature, open the basket and place the chicken in a single layer, making sure to leave space between each piece for proper air circulation.
5. Close the air fryer basket and set the timer according to the recipe instructions.

Remember that preheating is an important step to achieve the best results when cooking peri peri chicken in the air fryer. It helps to ensure that the chicken cooks evenly and gets that delicious crispy texture we all love.

Set the air fryer to the appropriate temperature

Before you start cooking your peri peri chicken in the air fryer, it’s important to set the fryer to the appropriate temperature. This will ensure that your chicken cooks evenly and is crispy on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside.

For peri peri chicken, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This high temperature will help to seal in the flavors and create that signature charred exterior. The air fryer will reach this temperature quickly, usually within 3-5 minutes.

To set the temperature, simply locate the temperature control button or dial on your air fryer. Press the button or turn the dial to adjust the temperature to the desired setting. Once you have set the temperature, the air fryer will begin to preheat and display the current temperature on its digital screen or using an analog gauge.

If your air fryer does not have a preheat function, you can still achieve great results by placing your chicken in the fryer and adjusting the cooking time accordingly. Keep an eye on the chicken as it cooks to ensure it does not become overcooked or undercooked.

Maintaining the correct temperature is crucial for achieving the perfect peri peri chicken in the air fryer. Therefore, it is important to refer to the recommended temperature settings and cooking times for your specific air fryer model and recipe.

By setting the air fryer to the appropriate temperature, you can ensure that your peri peri chicken is cooked to perfection every time. So go ahead, preheat that air fryer and get ready to enjoy a delicious and flavorful meal!

FAQ

What is peri peri chicken?

Peri peri chicken is a popular dish that originated in Southern Africa and is made with chicken marinated in peri peri sauce, which is a spicy sauce made from African bird’s eye chili peppers, garlic, lemon juice, and other herbs and spices.

What is an air fryer?

An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that uses hot air circulation to cook food. It works by circulating hot air around the food to produce a crispy exterior similar to deep frying, but with much less oil. It is a healthier alternative to deep frying and can be used to cook a variety of foods, including chicken.

How do you make peri peri sauce?

To make peri peri sauce, you will need African bird’s eye chili peppers, garlic cloves, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Blend all the ingredients together in a food processor or blender until smooth. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste. The sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.