Description
These Peri-Peri Chicken Skewers with a rich butter sauce offer a quick and flavorful meal inspired by Portuguese and African cuisines. Juicy chicken thighs marinated in spicy peri-peri sauce are grilled to perfection and finished with a buttery, garlicky sauce, making them perfect for a vibrant main course.
Ingredients
Scale
For the chicken & marinade:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into chunks
- 3 tablespoons peri-peri sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the butter sauce:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon peri-peri sauce
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Pinch of salt
Other:
- Metal or soaked wooden skewers
- Chopped parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional)
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade and marinate chicken: In a bowl, combine peri-peri sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken chunks and toss everything to coat evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to penetrate, or marinate overnight for deeper flavor.
- Assemble the skewers: Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto metal or soaked wooden skewers, ensuring the pieces are evenly spaced for uniform cooking.
- Grill the chicken skewers: Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally until all sides are nicely charred and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it’s fully cooked.
- Prepare the butter sauce: While the chicken cooks, melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook briefly for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the peri-peri sauce, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Let the sauce simmer gently for 1 to 2 minutes, then remove from heat to keep warm.
- Finish and serve: Once the chicken skewers are cooked, brush them generously with the warm butter sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro if desired. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the chicken.
Notes
- These skewers pair wonderfully with rice, flatbreads, or grilled vegetables.
- Adjust the heat level by choosing mild or hot peri-peri sauce based on your preference.
- For a smoky depth of flavor, use a charcoal grill instead of a gas or electric grill.
