Add some excitement to dinner time with this fabulous air fryer peri-peri chicken! Juicy, tender chicken pieces coated in a fiery, flavorful peri-peri sauce are cooked to crispy perfection in your handy air fryer. This dish is perfect for spice lovers, busy weeknights, or anyone who has had one too many boring chicken dinners!
I first encountered peri-peri chicken at Nando’s, a popular restaurant chain known for its mouthwatering flame-grilled chicken. The moment I tried their spicy, tangy, and addictive chicken, I knew I had to find a way to recreate this incredible dish at home.
The incredible flavor punch from the peri-peri sauce makes this air fryer peri-peri chicken stand out. With a perfect balance of spicy, tangy, and garlicky notes, this sauce takes a humble piece of chicken to new heights.
Cooking the chicken in the air fryer results in a crispy exterior and juicy interior without needing oil or a time-consuming grilling process. And if you think that making peri-peri chicken at home is too complicated or time-consuming, think again!
This recipe is dead simple, although it does require a little extra time to let the chicken marinate and absorb all that delicious flavor. Thanks to its bold flavors and easy preparation, this dish is sure to become a regular in your meal rotation.
In this post, I’ll guide you through the simple steps to create your own air fryer peri peri chicken. So add some serious flavor to your dinner table with this irresistible chicken recipe.
Looking for more easy air fryer chicken dinners? Try my recipes for air fryer chimichangas, air fryer lollipop drumsticks, or air fryer Kung Pao chicken.
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🥘Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Half a chicken: You can also use chicken pieces, like chicken thighs or chicken breasts.
- Peri Peri sauce: This spicy, tangy sauce originated in Portugal and is taking the world by storm. You can find it in most grocery stores these days or order it online.
- Paprika
- Salt
- Ground pepper
🥣How to Make Air Fryer Peri Peri Chicken
- Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. We want that skin to be nice and crispy!
- Mix the paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Rub this mixture all over the chicken, getting it under the skin.
- Rub the peri peri sauce all over the chicken, too.
- Put the chicken in the fridge and let it marinate for 30-60 minutes.
- When you’re ready to cook, place the chicken in the air fryer basket, skin side down. Air fry at 380 degrees F for 20 minutes.
- Flip the chicken over and cook for another 10-15 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 170 degrees F.
🍴Serving Ideas
Now, you have delicious, spicy, easy-to-make chicken that will impress your family and friends. Serve the chicken with extra Peri Peri sauce on the side. You can even brush it on for more flavor.
I like serving the chicken alongside fresh corn or other veggies like broccoli or sweet potatoes. The chicken’s spiciness pairs perfectly with the veggies’ sweetness, making for a delicious meal.
💭How to Store
Once cooled, place the chicken in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Store the chicken in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months.
The leftovers are easy to use for a new meal! Shred them and use them to fill tacos or on top of a fresh green salad. You can also reheat the chicken in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 5-10 minutes or until heated through.
⭐Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Don’t skip the marinating time. Letting the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes (and up to 24 hours!) will make a big difference in terms of flavor.
- Experiment with different cuts of chicken. While I love using half a chicken for this recipe, you can also use chicken thighs, drumsticks, or even wings. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly. See the details in the recipe card below.
- Always use a meat thermometer to verify the internal temperature of the chicken. Food poisoning is not fun!
- If you like your food extra spicy, add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the spice rub. Just be warned—a little goes a long way!
- If you don’t have an air fryer, you can also make this recipe in the oven. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and cook the chicken for 35-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 170 degrees F.
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Air Fryer Peri Peri Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- Half chicken
- Peri Peri sauce
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup peri peri sauce
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel.Half chicken
- Rub the chicken with the paprika, salt and pepper. Make sure to get the spices under the skin.1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Rub the chicken with the sauce.Peri Peri sauce
- Put it in the fridge and let it marinate for 30-60 minutes.
- Put the chicken in the air fryer basket, skin side down.
- Air fry at 380 degrees F for 20 minutes.
- Flip and cook for 10-15 minutes more.
- Use a meat thermometer to verify the temperature has reached 170 degrees F.
- Serve with more peri peri sauce, either brushed on the chicken or for dipping.½ cup peri peri sauce
Notes
- Experiment with different cuts of chicken. While I love using half a chicken for this recipe, you can also use chicken thighs, drumsticks, or even wings. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly. Here is how to adjust the cooking time:
- Boneless chicken thighs: 15 minute total
- Bone-in chicken thighs or legs: 20 minutes
- Boneless chicken breast: 20 minutes
- Bone-in chicken breast: 30 minutes
- Wings: 20 minutes
- Always use a meat thermometer to verify the internal temperature of the chicken. Food poisoning is not fun!
- Don’t skip the marinating time. Letting the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes (and up to 24 hours!) will make a big difference in terms of flavor.
- If you like your food extra spicy, add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the spice rub. Just be warned—a little goes a long way!
- If you don’t have an air fryer, you can also make this recipe in the oven. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and cook the chicken for 35-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 170 degrees F.
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
