Description
These Peri Peri Chicken Skewers are marinated in a zesty blend of peri peri sauce, lemon juice, and spices, then grilled to perfection and served with a flavorful buttery peri peri sauce. This recipe offers a perfect balance of spicy, tangy, and savory flavors, ideal for a delicious and easy-to-make meal that’s perfect for outdoor grilling or a quick stovetop fix.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Skewers:
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons peri peri sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Butter Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon peri peri sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional for a touch of sweetness)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped (optional for garnish)
- Juice of half a lemon
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: In a bowl, combine the olive oil, peri peri sauce, lemon juice, garlic, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken chunks and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
- Prepare the skewers: Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto wooden or metal skewers. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 20 minutes beforehand to prevent burning during grilling.
- Grill the skewers: Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the skewers for about 4–5 minutes per side or until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred on the edges. Brush with a little extra peri peri sauce while grilling if desired for extra flavor.
- Make the butter sauce: While the chicken is grilling, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the peri peri sauce, honey (if using), and lemon juice. Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Serve: Once the skewers are done, drizzle the warm peri peri butter sauce over the chicken skewers. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and serve with your favorite side dish like rice, grilled vegetables, or a light salad.
Notes
- For extra smoky flavor, use a charcoal grill if possible.
- Soaking wooden skewers prevents burning on the grill.
- Adjust the amount of peri peri sauce to control the spice level.
- Honey in the butter sauce can be omitted for a less sweet, more spicy sauce.
- Chicken thighs will yield juicier skewers compared to chicken breasts.
- Serve immediately for best taste and texture.
