Sizzling Peri Peri Chicken Skewers with a Butter Sauce Recipe

Succulent peri peri chicken skewers dance with fiery Portuguese-inspired flavors that will electrify your dinner plate.

Spicy marinades infuse each tender morsel with zesty character.

Saucy butter adds a luxurious coating that melts deliciously over charred meat.

Weeknight meals rarely feel this adventurous and vibrant.

Crisp vegetables and fresh herbs complement the bold protein perfectly.

Marinating techniques unlock deep, complex tastes that surprise and delight.

Let’s fire up the grill and create something extraordinary tonight.

Why You’ll Crave Peri Peri Chicken Skewers

• Spice Up Your Meal: Dive into a flavor explosion with these peri peri chicken skewers that bring bold, zesty taste to your plate. The combination of spices and tangy sauce creates a mouthwatering experience that will impress everyone at the table.
• Master Grilling Techniques: Perfect for home cooks wanting to improve their cooking skills, this recipe teaches simple grilling methods that result in juicy, perfectly charred chicken every single time. The step-by-step process makes it easy for beginners to create restaurant-quality dishes.
• Quick and Versatile Dinner Solution: These skewers come together quickly and can be paired with multiple side dishes, making them ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Whether you're serving rice, salad, or roasted vegetables, these chicken skewers will be the star of the meal.
• Customize Your Spice Level

Everything You Need for Peri Peri Chicken Skewers

• Chicken Cubes: Tender and juicy protein base for the skewers that absorbs the peri peri marinade.
• Peri Peri Sauce: Spicy and tangy sauce that provides the signature flavor to the chicken.
• Butter: Creates a rich and smooth sauce that adds depth to the grilled chicken.
• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and helps tenderize the chicken.

• Paprika, Cumin, Garlic Powder, Black Pepper, Salt: Essential spices that enhance the overall flavor profile of the chicken marinade.

• Fresh Parsley, Olive Oil: Parsley provides a fresh garnish, while olive oil helps in marinating and keeping the chicken moist.

How to Grill Peri Peri Chicken Skewers Easily

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken with Zesty Spices

• Paprika
• Cumin
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper
• Salt

Massage the ingredients into the chicken until every piece is coated with the spicy marinade.

Let the flavors mingle and soak for at least 30 minutes, or if you’re planning ahead, overnight for an explosion of taste.

Step 2: Prepare the Grill

Fire up your grill or grill pan to medium heat.

Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers, creating beautiful spice-laden kebabs ready for grilling.

Step 3: Grill to Perfection

Lay the skewers on the hot grill.

Cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, rotating occasionally to ensure even golden-brown crispiness and thorough cooking.

Step 4: Craft the Luxurious Butter Sauce

In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.

Toss in minced garlic and let it sizzle and become fragrant for 1-2 minutes.

Step 5: Elevate the Sauce

Pour in peri peri sauce and a splash of lemon juice.

Let the sauce simmer and thicken for about 2 minutes, creating a rich, tangy coating.

Step 6: Final Flourish

Once the chicken is cooked, drizzle the decadent butter sauce over the skewers.

Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and freshness.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Plate the sizzling skewers hot, accompanied by your favorite sides or a crisp, refreshing salad.

Get ready for a flavor explosion!

Tips for Spicy and Tender Chicken Skewers

• Let chicken sit in peri peri sauce overnight to intensify flavors and tenderize meat completely.
• Rotate skewers every few minutes to ensure even charring and prevent burning, creating beautiful golden-brown exterior.
• Simmer butter sauce slowly to develop rich depth and achieve perfect thickening without burning garlic.
• Use medium heat while grilling to cook chicken thoroughly without drying out or charring too quickly.
• Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley just before serving to add bright color and subtle herbaceous notes to the dish.

Tasty Twists for Peri Peri Chicken Skewers

• Vegetarian Peri Peri Tofu Skewers: Replace chicken with firm tofu cubes, pressing out excess moisture before marinating in the same peri peri sauce for a plant-based protein option.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Chicken Skewers: Swap out traditional skewers and serve the peri peri chicken over roasted cauliflower rice for a lighter, keto-friendly meal.
• Gluten-Free Herb-Infused Version: Use gluten-free peri peri sauce and add fresh herbs like cilantro or oregano to the marinade for extra flavor complexity.
• Air Fryer Quick Method: Cook the marinated chicken skewers in an air fryer at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through for a crispy exterior and juicy interior.

Sides to Enjoy With Chicken Skewers

Craft a refreshing caipirinha cocktail with cachaça, lime, and sugar to complement the spicy peri peri chicken’s bold flavors.

Serve warm pita bread or herbed couscous alongside the skewers to balance the rich butter sauce and absorb the tangy marinade.

Pour a crisp, chilled white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Portuguese vinho verde to cut through the spicy heat and refresh the palate.

Prepare a bright, zingy mango salsa or citrus slaw that echoes the lemon and peri peri sauce, adding a vibrant counterpoint to the grilled chicken.

Storing Peri Peri Chicken Skewers Safely

• Seal cooled chicken skewers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping sauce separate to prevent soggy texture.
• Wrap skewers individually in plastic wrap, place in freezer-safe bag, and freeze for maximum 2 months, ensuring complete cooling before packaging.
• Place skewers on microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel, heat in 30-second intervals, checking temperature to prevent drying out.
• Warm skewers in preheated 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, drizzling reserved butter sauce halfway through to maintain moisture and restore original flavor.

FAQs

• What is peri peri sauce?

A spicy sauce originating from Portuguese-African cuisine, made with African bird’s eye chili peppers, garlic, vinegar, and various spices. It’s known for its intense, fiery flavor that adds a bold kick to dishes.

• How spicy are peri peri chicken skewers?

The spice level can be adjusted by using mild or hot peri peri sauce. If you prefer less heat, choose a milder sauce or reduce the amount of sauce used in the marinade.

• Can I make these skewers without a grill?

Yes, you can cook these skewers in a grill pan, oven, or under the broiler. Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety and even cooking.

Peri Peri Chicken Skewers With A Butter Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 43 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Spicy Portuguese peri peri chicken skewers dance with zesty butter sauce, promising explosive flavor in every bite. Succulent grilled chicken marinated in fiery spices delivers a mouthwatering experience you won’t forget.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 500 grams (1.1 pounds) chicken breast, cut into cubes

Marinade and Seasoning:

• 2 tablespoons peri peri sauce
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Salt, to taste

Butter Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon peri peri sauce
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Marinate chicken cubes in a zesty blend of peri peri sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Allow the flavors to penetrate for 30 minutes to overnight in the refrigerator.
2. Heat grill or grill pan to medium temperature (around 375°F), preparing a clean cooking surface.
3. Carefully thread marinated chicken onto skewers, spacing pieces evenly for consistent cooking.
4. Grill skewers for 6-8 minutes, rotating periodically to achieve golden-brown exterior and ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F.
5. Simultaneously, craft the luxurious butter sauce by melting butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
6. Introduce minced garlic to the melted butter, sautéing until aromatic and slightly translucent, approximately 1-2 minutes.
7. Incorporate peri peri sauce and fresh lemon juice, allowing the mixture to simmer and slightly reduce for 2-3 minutes.
8. Remove chicken skewers from grill, transferring to serving plate.
9. Generously drizzle warm butter sauce over grilled skewers, creating a glossy, flavorful coating.
10. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for vibrant color and added brightness.
11. Serve immediately alongside complementary sides or crisp salad for a complete meal.

Notes

• Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes to enhance flavor and tenderness, allowing spices to deeply penetrate the meat.
• Use metal or pre-soaked wooden skewers to prevent burning and ensure even grilling without charring.
• Adjust spice levels by modifying peri peri sauce quantity for those with different heat tolerances, making the dish customizable.
• Check internal chicken temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to guarantee safe and perfectly cooked protein without dryness.

• Prep Time: 35 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Portuguese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 478 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 3 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 43 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg