Ultimate Oven Roasted Piri Piri Chicken Recipe

Updated on: December 25, 2025

A beautifully arranged platter of Oven Roasted Piri Piri Chicken with two types of rice, green beans, corn, and lime wedges in a modern kitchen setting.

Craving a meal with a bold kick? This easy Oven Roasted Piri Piri Chicken is your answer! It delivers an incredible explosion of vibrant, spicy, and savory notes right to your dinner table. Perfect for busy weeknights, this beginner-friendly recipe transforms simple ingredients into an unforgettable dish that will quickly become a family favorite.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Oven Roasted Piri Piri Chicken

This fantastic Oven Roasted Piri Piri Chicken will win you over for many reasons:

Explosive, irresistible flavor profile: A harmonious blend of sweet, smoky, and spicy.
Effortless one-pan cleanup: Roasting on a single sheet means less washing up after dinner.
Versatile for various meals: Pair it with rice, veggies, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Customizable spice levels: Easily adjust the heat to suit your family’s preferences.
Perfect for meal prepping: Cook once and enjoy delicious leftovers throughout the week.

Ingredients

To create this incredible Oven Roasted Piri Piri Chicken, gather these simple ingredients. The homemade Piri Piri marinade infuses the chicken with deep, complex flavors, making every bite a delight.

130 g (4½ oz) store-bought marinated chargrilled capsicum (bell pepper), drained, oil reserved
½ tsp freshly minced garlic
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp sweet paprika
1 tsp dried oregano
1½ tsp sea salt flakes
½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1.2 kg (2 lb 10 oz) chicken pieces (drumsticks and/or bone-in, skin-on chicken thigh cutlets)
½ cup (125 ml) water
2 tablespoons reserved peri peri marinade (from above)
⅔ cup (160 g) whole-egg mayonnaise
Steamed green beans and corn (for serving)
250 g (9 oz) microwave Mexican rice (for serving)
Lime wedges (for serving)

Notes & Substitutions

You can easily adapt this Piri Piri chicken recipe to your pantry and preferences. Roasting your own fresh red bell peppers adds a lovely depth, but jarred ones save time and are equally delicious. For chicken, bone-in, skin-on pieces are best for flavor and moisture, but you can use boneless, skinless thighs or a whole spatchcocked chicken; adjust cooking times accordingly. To increase the spice, add a pinch more cayenne or a few fresh bird’s eye chilies to the marinade. For a dairy-free Perinaise, simply use your preferred dairy-free mayonnaise alternative.

Equipment

You only need a few basic kitchen tools for this delicious Piri Piri chicken recipe.

Food processor or blender: Essential for making the smooth, flavorful Piri Piri marinade.
Large baking sheet: To roast the chicken evenly without overcrowding.
Mixing bowls: For marinating the chicken and preparing the Perinaise.
Measuring cups and spoons: For accurate ingredient quantities.

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to prepare your amazing Oven Roasted Piri Piri Chicken. This recipe simplifies a flavorful meal into an easy-to-follow process.

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F), or 180°C (350°F) for fan-forced.
Combine the chargrilled capsicum, garlic, onion powder, sweet paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, sugar, and red wine vinegar in a food processor. Blitz until smooth for 1–2 minutes. Slowly add the reserved oil while the food processor is running; this helps emulsify and thicken the marinade.
Crucial Step: Reserve 2 tablespoons of this vibrant Piri Piri marinade to make the Perinaise later.
Pat the chicken pieces thoroughly dry with paper towels. This ensures a beautifully crispy skin.
Marinate the chicken in the remaining Piri Piri mixture in a bowl, tossing to coat every piece evenly. You can marinate for up to 24 hours for deeper flavor, but it is delicious even after a short marinade.
Arrange the marinated chicken on a baking tray with sides, ensuring the chicken is skin-side up and not overlapping. This allows for even cooking and caramelization.
Bake, uncovered, for 50–55 minutes, or until the chicken is nicely caramelized and cooked through. Add ½ cup (125 ml) of water to the base of the baking tray halfway through cooking. This prevents the marinade from burning and creates a steamy environment for tender chicken.
While the chicken bakes, mix the reserved 2 tablespoons of Piri Piri marinade with the mayonnaise in a small bowl to create your delicious Perinaise dipping sauce.
Once baked, rest the chicken, loosely covered in foil, for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring tender and moist chicken.
Serve your hot Oven Roasted Piri Piri Chicken with steamed green beans, corn, Mexican rice, fresh lime wedges, and the irresistible Perinaise on the side for dipping. Enjoy your flavorful meal!

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Achieve perfect Oven Roasted Piri Piri Chicken every time with these helpful hints.

For Crispy Skin: Always pat your chicken pieces super dry before marinating. Excess moisture prevents the skin from crisping up in the oven.
Deep Flavor: Marinate the chicken longer, up to 24 hours in the refrigerator. This allows the Piri Piri marinade to penetrate deeply, intensifying the flavors.
Prevent Burning: Don’t skip adding water to the pan halfway through baking. This stops the sugars in the marinade from burning and helps create a lovely pan sauce.
Doneness: Always check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken with a meat thermometer. The USDA provides detailed guidelines for cooking poultry safely, indicating it should reach 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
Spice Boost: For those who love extra heat, add a few more fresh bird’s eye chilies to the marinade mixture before blending.
Marinade Consistency: If your marinade is too thick, adjust it with a touch more olive oil or water until it reaches your desired consistency.

Serving, Storage, & Variations

This versatile Oven Roasted Piri Piri Chicken adapts beautifully to various serving styles and storage needs.

Serving Suggestions: Serve alongside fluffy white rice, roasted potatoes, a crisp green salad, or extra lime wedges for a zesty finish.
Storage: Store any leftover Piri Piri chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: Gently warm the cooked chicken in the oven at 160°C (325°F) until heated through to maintain moisture. You can also use a microwave for quicker reheating.
Freezing: Freeze cooked Oven Roasted Piri Piri Chicken pieces in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Spice Variations: Experiment with different types of chilies in your marinade, like dried chilies rehydrated in hot water, for unique heat profiles.
Herb Twist: Finish your roasted chicken with a sprinkle of fresh chopped cilantro or parsley for a bright, aromatic flourish just before serving.

Nutrition

This Oven Roasted Piri Piri Chicken recipe offers a satisfying meal. While precise nutritional values can vary based on exact ingredients and portion sizes, this dish generally provides a good source of lean protein from the chicken. It also contains healthy fats from the olive oil and various vitamins and minerals from the bell peppers and spices. Serve with vegetables and grains for a well-balanced meal.

Nutrient	Per Serving (Est.)
Calories	450-550 kcal
Protein	40-50g
Fat	25-35g
Carbohydrates	15-20g
Sodium	600-800mg

Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation.

FAQ

Got questions about this delicious Oven Roasted Piri Piri Chicken? Here are some quick answers.

What does Piri Piri mean? Piri Piri is the Swahili word for “pepper-pepper,” referring to the small, fiery chili peppers native to Africa, which are central to the sauce’s flavor. While the name is Swahili, the piri-piri pepper has a rich history of cultivation and global spread, originating in South America and brought to Africa by Portuguese traders, as detailed by various sources on its historical origins.
Can I use boneless, skinless chicken? Yes, you can, but adjust cooking time as it will cook faster. Bone-in, skin-on chicken yields the most flavorful and moist results for this Oven Roasted Piri Piri Chicken.
How can I make the marinade spicier? Add fresh bird’s eye chilies, a dash of hot sauce, or more cayenne pepper to the food processor when blending the marinade. Start with a small amount and taste.
Can I grill or air fry this chicken? Absolutely! This Piri Piri chicken is fantastic grilled chicken; cook over medium-high heat until done. For air frying, preheat to 180°C (350°F) and cook for 20-30 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and cooked through.
What are good side dishes? This chicken pairs wonderfully with simple sides like rice, roasted potatoes, steamed greens, or a fresh corn and black bean salad.

Conclusion

This Oven Roasted Piri Piri Chicken recipe truly delivers on flavor with minimal effort, making it a perfect addition to any busy cook’s repertoire. With its vibrant marinade and incredible taste, it’s a dish that feels special yet is simple enough for any weeknight. We encourage you to try this flavorful Piri Piri chicken and experience the delicious blend of spice and savory notes. Share your creations and comments with us – we love to hear about your culinary adventures!