30 minute meal prep - Portuguese Chicken

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of making Portuguese Chicken, also known as Peri Peri Chicken. This dish is not only quick to prepare—taking about 30 minutes—but it also delivers rich, satisfying flavors that are perfect for a Sunday meal. We'll cover the marination process, cooking the chicken, and preparing a delicious sauce to complement the dish.

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

1. Gather Ingredients:

   • 5 pieces of chicken leg quarters
   • 1 tablespoon of garlic paste (crushed garlic)
   • 2 teaspoons of red chili flakes
   • 1 teaspoon of fine salt
   • 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice
   • 1 tablespoon of olive oil

2. Combine Ingredients:

   • In a bowl, mix the garlic paste, red chili flakes, salt, lemon juice, and olive oil together.

3. Marinate the Chicken:

   • Add the chicken leg quarters to the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Let them sit while you prepare the cooking pot.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

1. Prepare Cooking Pot:

   • Take a deep-based pot and add 2 tablespoons of butter ghee. Allow it to melt over medium heat.

2. Add Chicken to Pot:

   • Once the butter ghee has melted, add the marinated chicken along with all the remaining marinade.

3. Cook the Chicken:

   • Cover the pot with a lid and cook the chicken for about 15 minutes, allowing it to become juicy and flavorful.

Step 3: Prepare the Sauce

1. Gather Sauce Ingredients:

   • 1 cooking spoon of butter ghee
   • 2 tablespoons of Nando's peri-peri sauce (mild)
   • 250 ml of fresh cream
   • 2 tablespoons of tomato puree
   • 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper

2. Make the Sauce:

   • In a separate pot, melt the butter ghee over medium heat.
   • Add the peri-peri sauce, fresh cream, tomato puree, and black pepper. Stir the mixture until combined.
   • Allow the sauce to thicken slightly, approximately 5-10 minutes.

Step 4: Combine Chicken and Sauce

1. Add Sauce to Chicken:

   • Once the chicken has cooked halfway, pour the prepared sauce over it. Stir to ensure the sauce coats the chicken evenly.

2. Finish Cooking:

   • You can either continue cooking on the stove until the sauce thickens further or transfer the chicken to a casserole dish and bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 15-20 minutes.

Step 5: Serve the Dish

1. Plate the Chicken:

   • Place a leg quarter on a plate, spoon some sauce over it, and garnish with parsley.

2. Add Sides:

   • Serve with French fries or your choice of side. Optionally, sprinkle with chips spice for added flavor.

Conclusion

You’ve successfully prepared a flavorful Portuguese Chicken meal in just 30 minutes! This dish is not only hearty and satisfying but also perfect for a quick Sunday lunch. Feel free to experiment with different sides or spice levels. Enjoy your meal and consider subscribing to culinary channels for more delicious recipes! Happy cooking!