Peri Peri Chicken – Cooking Frog https://cookingfrog.com Easy and Delicious Recipes Sat, 08 Mar 2025 17:20:57 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8 https://cookingfrog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cropped-Frog-512-x-512-150x150.png Peri Peri Chicken – Cooking Frog https://cookingfrog.com 32 32 Peri Peri Chicken Skewers with Lemon Butter Sauce (Air Fryer Recipe) https://cookingfrog.com/peri-peri-chicken/ https://cookingfrog.com/peri-peri-chicken/#respond Sat, 08 Mar 2025 17:20:57 +0000 https://cookingfrog.com/?p=17532 Read More]]> One of the best ways to elevate chicken is with a bold and zesty peri peri marinade. This version is blended with roasted red pepper, garlic, lemon juice, and spices, then finished with a rich lemon butter sauce for a perfect balance of heat and tanginess. Air frying ensures delicious, juicy peri peri chicken skewers—without excess oil!

Peri Peri Chicken Skewers with Lemon Butter Sauce

Ingredients

For the Peri Peri Marinade

  • 1 red bell pepper, roasted, peeled, and blended
  • 1 chilli pepper
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for heat preference)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp white vinegar
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 5-6 fresh basil leaves (or ½ tsp dried basil)

For the Chicken Skewers

  • 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized cubes
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for coating before air frying)
  • Wooden skewers (soaked in water for 15 minutes)

For the Lemon Butter Sauce

  • ¼ cup reserved peri peri sauce
  • 2 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp garlic powder

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Peri Peri Marinade

  1. Roast the red bell pepper over an open flame or in an oven at 400°F (200°C) until the skin blackens. Place in a bowl, cover, and let it steam for 5 minutes. Peel off the skin.
  2. In a blender or food processor, blend the roasted red pepper, onion, garlic, salt, black pepper, paprika, cayenne, oregano, cumin, lemon juice, vinegar, oil, and basil until smooth.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

  1. Place the chicken cubes in a bowl and coat with the peri peri marinade (reserve ¼ cup for the sauce).
  2. Cover and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes (for best results, marinate overnight).

Step 3: Air Fry the Chicken Skewers

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (195°C).
  2. Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto soaked wooden skewers.
  3. Lightly brush with olive oil and place in the air fryer basket.
  4. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through (internal temp: 165°F / 75°C).

Step 4: Make the Lemon Butter Sauce

  1. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
  2. Stir in the reserved peri peri sauce, mayonnaise, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
  3. Simmer for 2 minutes, stirring until smooth and creamy.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

  • Drizzle the lemon butter sauce over the hot peri peri chicken skewers.
  • Garnish with fresh herbs or a squeeze of extra lemon juice.
  • Serve with grilled veggies, rice, or flatbread for a complete meal!

If you enjoyed this recipe, don’t forget to pin it on Pinterest and share it with friends! Let us know in the comments how yours turned out! 😊

Peri Peri Chicken Skewers with Lemon Butter Sauce 2

Tips & Tricks for the Best Peri Peri Chicken Skewers

Roast the Red Pepper Properly – Char the red pepper well before peeling. This enhances the smoky depth of your peri peri marinade.

Marinate Longer for Maximum Flavor – While 30 minutes works, marinating overnight deepens the flavor and makes the chicken extra juicy.

Soak Wooden Skewers – If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken. This prevents them from burning in the air fryer.

Preheat Your Air Fryer – Always preheat your air fryer for the crispiest results. This ensures even cooking and a nice char on the chicken.

Don’t Overcrowd the Basket – Arrange the skewers in a single layer with space between them for even airflow and crispiness.

Flip Halfway for Even Cooking – This helps brown the chicken evenly on all sides, giving it that grilled-like finish.

Adjust Spice Levels – If you prefer milder heat, reduce the cayenne or omit the chili pepper. If you love extra spice, add more chili or a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Use Thighs for Extra Juiciness – While chicken breast is lean and cooks quickly, boneless chicken thighs stay even juicier and more flavorful.

Make Extra Sauce – The peri peri butter sauce is addictive! Double the batch and use it as a dip for fries, veggies, or even spread it on sandwiches.

Try Different Cooking Methods – No air fryer? No problem! You can also:

  • Grill: Cook on medium-high heat for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
  • Oven: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.

These tips ensure your Peri Peri Chicken Skewers come out perfectly every time!

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