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Meat, European

Piri piri chicken with fries

Piri piri chicken with fries is a whole chicken marinated in chili, garlic and lemon, then grilled in the oven and served with fries, for 4 people, in 75 minutes, at an easy difficulty level, for about €3.00 per person. The key to success is spatchcocking the bird, which speeds up cooking and crisps the skin all over.

Tonight we're off to the Algarve with piri piri chicken, marinated in chili, garlic and lemon, grilled in the oven, served with fries.

Piri piri chicken with fries
Total time
1 h 15
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.00
Calories per person
720 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Spring, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Piri piri is that mix of fresh chili, raw garlic and lemon that brings just enough heat and works its way into the chicken down to the bone. In the oven, the skin turns golden and crisp while the meat stays juicy, especially if you let it marinate overnight. Paprika and oregano add a smoky smell that fills the kitchen long before dinner is ready.

This dinner works on a busy weeknight just as well as a Sunday with friends, the whole chicken gets carved at the table so everyone picks their favorite piece. Kids tend to like it best with the seeds removed from the chili, and oven fries keep things simple without a deep fryer.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Whole chicken 1.6 kg

Fruits and vegetables

  • Fresh chili pepper 2
  • Garlic 5 cloves
  • Lemon 2

Pantry

  • Sweet paprikaoften in the pantry 2 tsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 8 tbsp
  • Oreganooften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 2 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Frozen foods

  • Frozen oven fries 800 g

The step by step recipe

  1. Blend the chili, garlic, lemon juice, paprika, oregano, oil, salt and pepper into a smooth marinade.

    Wear gloves when handling fresh chili, you'll avoid a burning sensation on your fingers.

  2. Spatchcock the chicken by cutting along the backbone and flattening it, then coat it with the marinade. 1 h

    The longer it marinates, the more flavorful the chicken, an overnight rest in the fridge is ideal.

  3. Place the chicken flat on a baking sheet, skin side up, and roast at 200°C. 45 min

    Baste it with its marinade and juices halfway through for shiny, golden skin.

  4. Put the fries on another baking sheet for the last 25 minutes. 25 min

    Flip them halfway through for even browning.

  5. Let the chicken rest for ten minutes, carve it, and serve with the fries and a little warmed marinade. 10 min

    Boil the leftover marinade for two minutes before serving, it turns into a safe sauce.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pat the chicken skin dry before brushing on the marinade, it crisps up better in the oven.
  • Always set aside some marinade before it touches raw chicken, so you can boil it later and serve it safely as a sauce.
  • If you don't have sturdy kitchen shears, ask your butcher to spatchcock the chicken for you, it saves time.

The variations

  • Swap the whole chicken for bone in thighs, the marinade soaks in faster and the cooking time shortens.
  • For a vegetarian version, brush the same marinade on thick sweet potato or cauliflower slices and roast them alongside the fries.
  • For kids, remove the seeds and white membrane from the chili before blending, the flavor stays without the heat.

What to serve it with

  • A green salad with lemon dressing
  • Plain rice to soak up the sauce
  • A cold homemade lemonade

Storage

Cooked chicken keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well once carved, up to 2 months, and reheats best in the oven to keep the skin crisp. Fries taste best eaten the same day.

Questions about this dish

Can you make the marinade ahead of time?

Yes, blend it the day before and keep it in a sealed jar in the fridge. Brush it onto the chicken the next morning so it marinates all day before you cook it that evening.

How do you make piri piri chicken less spicy?

Remove the seeds and white membranes from the chilies before blending, that's where most of the heat sits. You can also use just one chili for the whole marinade.

Can you freeze the chicken already marinated?

Yes, you can freeze the raw chicken coated in marinade in an airtight bag for up to 2 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before roasting.

Can you replace fresh chili with chili powder?

Yes, use about half a teaspoon of chili powder or flakes to replace the two fresh chilies. The flavor will be slightly less bright and fresh, but the recipe still works.

How long does it take to make a piri piri chicken with fries?

Count 1 h 15 in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a piri piri chicken with fries?

About 720 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a piri piri chicken with fries cost?

About €3.00 per serving, or €12.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains none of the major allergens tracked by Mon Chou. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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