Peri Peri Chicken Drumsticks at the Table

baked peri peri chicken drumsticks in a baking dish on top of parchment paper

Hold onto your taste buds because we’ve got something special for you! These Peri Peri Chicken Drumsticks are packed with next-level savory flavors that are absolutely out of this world. Trust us, you won’t want to miss out on this memorable East African dish.

What is peri peri chicken?

Peri peri chicken is a tasty chicken dish named for its fiery sauce. Peri peri is a rich and spicy chili sauce that is used to marinate chicken. Traditionally, the peri peri sauce is made with African bird’s eye chili, a spicy pepper native to the Eastern African coastline.

The first peri peri recipe came about in Mozambique, a country bordering the Indian Ocean. As the dish became more popular, it spread to various regions of Africa.

Some regions use the African bird’s eye chili that grows in Mozambique, but others use local peppers of a similar spice level. We personally use jalapeño and Fresno peppers! We find that the combo of jalapeño and Fresno peppers offers the reliable amount of heat without being overly spicy.

roasted red pepers, red onion, garlic, tomato, and fresno peppers in a food processor

How did peri peri chicken get its name?

The name for this flavorful chicken recipe has a pretty simple origin story! The African bird’s-eye chili historically used for the chicken marinade is called piri-piri in Portuguese, the native language of Mozambique.

How to make Peri Peri chicken

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Make the peri peri sauce:
1. Add the roasted red bell pepper, garlic cloves, tomato, Fresno pepper, red onion, and jalapeño pepper to a food processor.
2. Squeeze lemon juice in the food processor, then pour in apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and honey.
3. Next, add the oregano, paprika, pepper, and cumin.
4. Pulse until you have a saucy marinate
Sprinkle salt and pepper on the chicken drumsticks
Pour the marinade over the drumsticks.
Bake the marinated chicken drumsticks in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes. Broil for an additional 5 minutes to get the skin nice and crackly!
Serve hot!

raw drumsticks in a baking dish topped with peri peri sauce

How to store peri peri chicken

Peri peri chicken is so tasty it is doubtful that you’ll have any leftovers. But if you do, it’s super simple to store! Just pack the extra chicken in an airtight container. It will last in the fridge for 3-5 days.

If you have kids who like a little spice, we have a trick for you! We pull any leftover chicken off of the bone and store it in shreds/strips. This makes preparing lunch boxes so simple!!

baked peri peri chicken drumsticks on parchment paper

Common Questions about Peri Peri Chicken

How spicy are peri peri chicken drumsticks?

Peri peri chicken can range from mildly tangy to seriously fiery, depending on how many chilies you use in your marinade! Most restaurants offer different heat levels so customers can choose their adventure. The wonderful thing about making it at home is that you’re in complete control of the spice level – you can go for a gentle warmth with just one or two chilies or crank it up to mouth-tingling intensity if you’re brave enough.

How long should I marinate peri peri chicken drumsticks?

For truly flavorful peri peri chicken drumsticks, marinate them for at least 4 hours, but overnight is even better! The acidic components in the marinade help tenderize the meat while the oils carry the flavors deep into the chicken. If you’re really in a hurry, even 30 minutes will add some flavor, but the longer marination time allows those spices to penetrate beyond the surface for much more impactful results.

Can I make peri peri chicken drumsticks in an air fryer?

Air fryers are reliable for making peri peri chicken drumsticks! They create that wonderful crackly exterior while keeping the inside juicy.

Can I use peri peri sauce for anything besides chicken?

Peri peri sauce is incredibly versatile! Beyond chicken, it makes an memorable marinade for shrimp, fish, or pork. Drizzle it over roasted vegetables, stir it into mayonnaise for a spicy sandwich spread, or add a spoonful to your scrambled eggs for a morning kick. It’s fantastic mixed into hummus, tossed with pasta, or used as a pizza sauce base. You can even use a little to spice up soups or stews when they need an extra flavor boost!

Other memorable chicken recipes

We’re sort of in love with a solid chicken dinner in our home! Here are some of our favorites that are packed full of flavor.

Our Crackly Baked Chicken Nuggets are the most nostalgic treat. The finest part is that they are way healthier than the fast food version!
One of our most popular recipes is our Marry Me Chicken. It is the creamiest chicken recipe, and the flavors are out of this world!! If you like how rich our peri peri chicken is, then you will love Marry Me Chicken!
If you couldn’t tell, we like simple recipes you can prep and bake in the oven. Our Bruschetta Baked Chicken is exactly that! The tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil, and balsamic are just *chefs kiss*
Our Instant Pot Chicken Fajita is another lively chicken recipe that is super hands-off. It is a weeknight staple in our homes!!

the Ayyem kitchenServings: 4

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Marinade Time: 30 mins
Total: 1 hr 25 mins

Simple Peri Peri Chicken with a fiery kick and bold flavors! Email

Ingredients

8 ounces jarred roasted red peppers
1/2 medium tomato
8 cloves peeled garlic
1 large fresno peppers
1/2 red onions
1 jalapeno, seeded
1 squeeze lemon juice
2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
4 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon honey
1 Tablespoon dried oregano
1 Tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground black pepper to taste
1 teaspoon cumin
4-5 pounds chicken drumsticks (about 12 drumsticks)
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for chicken to taste

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Make the peri peri sauce: Add the roasted red bell pepper, tomato, garlic cloves, fresno pepper, red onion, and jalapeño pepper to a food processor. Squeeze lemon juice then pour in apple cider vinegar, olive oil and honey. Next, add in the oregano, paprika, pepper and cumin. Pulse until you have a saucy marinate. 8 ounces jarred roasted red peppers, 1/2 medium tomato, 8 cloves peeled garlic, 1 large fresno peppers, 1 squeeze lemon juice , 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar , 1 Tablespoon dried oregano , 1 Tablespoon paprika , 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 4 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 red onions, 1 jalapeno, seeded, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon cumin
in a 13×9 baking dish arrange your drumsticks. Sprinkle salt and pepper 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for chicken , 4-5 pounds chicken drumsticks (about 12 drumsticks)
Pour the marinade over the drumsticks. Give it a mix to make sure everything is coated in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate overnight or for at least 30 minutes. (The longer it marinates, the better!)
Bake the marinated chicken drumsticks in the oven for 45 minutes. Broil for an additional 5 minutes to get the skin nice and crackly! (keep an eye on it so it does not burn!)