Friday, May 22, 2009

Grilled Chicken Piri Piri

This is some of the best grilled chicken I ever had. I watched it being made on Food Network a few months ago & it always stayed in my head. I made it last weekend for our BBQ with family & I can't express enough how much everyone enjoyed it. The marinade really stuck with the chicken & gave it such an awesome flavor. The reason why? I divulge in my thoughts below. This was so good, I am making it again for our BBQ with friends tomorrow. Have a wonderful holiday weekend everyone!!!!!


• 2-3 lemons, zested & juiced plus 2 sliced for garnish
• 1/2 head garlic cloves, peeled
• 2 red peppers, seeded & roughly chopped
• 5 chili peppers like serrano or jalapeno
• 2 cups fresh parsley leaves (use fresh)
• 1 1/2 tblsp paprika
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 cup olive oil
• Salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 3 pkgs cut up chicken pieces, skin on

{ just before grill time }

In a food processor add lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, red pepper, chiles, parsley, paprika, red wine vinegar & oil. Process until it becomes a paste (wasn't too pasty to me). Season with salt & pepper. Reserve 1 cup of the sauce as set aside for garnishing cooked chicken later.

Divide chicken pieces into 2-3 large resealable plastic bags. Divide the marinade into both bags & seal. Turn the chicken around in the bags to distribute the marinade. Place chicken in the refrigerator & let it marinate for at least 1 hour & up to 1 day. I did mine overnight after baking it (see my thoughts).


Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from bags with tongs & drain well. Season with salt & pepper. Place on grill, skin side down first & grill for about 15 minutes on each side turning occasionally until cooked through. Serve with lemon wedges & the reserved piri piri sauce (optional).


{My Thoughts}

Whenever I grill out with chicken on the bone I always bake it first for about 25 minutes with just a bit of salt & pepper in a 375 oven. Not only does this cut down on the time on the grill it also allows the marinade to really penetrate the chicken better. And it’s still on the grill long enough (about 15 min) to get that delicious grilled flavor. My Dad & I have been doing this for years & swear by it!!!!! For this recipe, I needed 2 baking sheets, one for the thighs & legs & the other for the breasts.

I halved the original recipe (here) & the amounts are reflected above. 3 pkgs of cut up chicken feeds about 6 with a few leftover. As for the peppers, I used about 4 jalapenos because I didn't want it to be too spicy for my in laws. It was perfect.

{Click Here to Print Recipe}

18 comments:

starnes family said...

I will try this as soon as we get a new grill. I LOVE bbq chicken prepared this way. Happy weekend!

Kristina P. said...

I love grilled chicken, so much!

Kacey said...

Mmmmmmm Mmmmmmmm! Do you think it would still be great if I use bonless skinless chicken breasts? If I do, should I still bake it first? I know, I know, high maintenance friend...no pork, no bones...lol

Enjoy your BBQ!!!

{{HUGS}}

Jen said...

This sounds like a total winner. I have going to make it this weekend! Love the idea of baking it first.

Angela said...

Hey girl! This DOES look great. I will definitely put it on our menu in the next couple weeks.

Hope you got my email this week! I will check in with you over the weekend!

Scary Mommy said...

Love that tip of baking first. And I'm so making this tomorrow night! Have a great weekend!!

Anonymous said...

Such a great tip to bake the chicken first. Sounds delicious! Have a great bbq!

JMBMOMMY said...

Yum!!! Soon we will try it!

Jason, as himself said...

I'm always looking for good chicken recipes, and this one has my mouth watering.

Do you think it would be just as good with boneless chicken breast? We have bone issues around here.

Amanda said...

That looks GREAT!
I would have to use chicken breasts. (8th grade science class ruined chicken on a bone for me)
Anyway that looks absolutely fabulous! We are cooking out this weekend, that is a must on my list!

Cheffie-Mom said...

YUMMY! What a great recipe for Memorial Day Weekend! Thanks!

Jessica said...

Yummy! Maybe we'll give it a try tomorrow. Have a great weekend!

Coco said...

YUMMY! I think this will be grilled tonight with your orzo pasta.

The spinach pinwheels were a huge hit by the way.

Hope y'all are having a fab weekend.

Pam said...

Yum... your chicken looks excellent - love the sauce.

FROGGITY! said...

YUMMMMMMM!

tiarastantrums said...

oh this is a MUST try and I love the trick of baking first - I have never done that - but what a great idea!

Unknown said...

I really wish I would have seen this before our cookout! Darn! It looks fantastic. Printing it now!

Lula! said...

Yes, I printed it out. Always looking for a way to prepare chicken out of the ordinary.

And I love your tip about baking before grilling...will definitely have to try that.