If you’re craving a burger that packs a punch of bold, fiery flavors yet remains irresistibly juicy and fresh, then you absolutely need to try the Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken Burgers Recipe. This iconic South African-inspired dish masterfully combines succulent marinated chicken with a vibrant peri peri sauce, creamy Perinaise, and crisp greens, making every bite an adventure. It’s a celebration of smoky heat, tangy zest, and smooth creaminess that’s perfect for an exciting family meal or a weekend treat. Trust me, once you make these burgers, they’ll become your go-to for impressing friends and satisfying spicy cravings alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients for Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken Burgers Recipe is surprisingly straightforward. Each component plays a crucial role, whether it’s the smoky paprika bringing depth, the chilies adding the perfect heat, or the creamy Perinaise balancing the spice with lusciousness.
- Birds eye red chilies (1-3): Adjust the heat level to your taste by adding one for mild or up to three for a gentle kick.
- Red capsicum/bell pepper: Adds a subtle sweetness and vibrant red color to the marinade.
- Garlic cloves: Bring a fragrant sharpness that complements the spice perfectly.
- Vegetable or canola oil: Acts as the marinade base to keep chicken juicy and tender.
- Malt vinegar: Adds brightness and acidity to balance the heat.
- Smoked paprika: Injects a delightful smoky depth essential to peri peri flavor.
- Dried oregano: For a hint of herbal warmth and earthiness.
- Onion powder: Enhances savory notes and rounds out the spice blend.
- White sugar: Balances the acidity and spice with a touch of sweetness.
- Cooking or kosher salt: Essential for enhancing all the flavors.
- Red food colouring (optional): Gives that classic vibrant peri peri sauce hue.
- Peri Peri sauce (prepared): The star flavor, packed with garlic and heat.
- Whole egg mayonnaise: For creamy richness in the Perinaise spread.
- Sour cream: Adds tanginess and lightness to the Perinaise.
- Olive oil: For cooking the chicken to golden perfection.
- Chicken breasts or thigh fillets: The juicy protein base, skinless and boneless for easy eating.
- Soft rolls: Ideal for sandwiching all the flavors without overpowering.
- Tomatoes and lettuce: Fresh, crisp toppings for brightness and texture.
How to Make Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken Burgers Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
The perfect burger starts with perfectly prepared chicken. Take your chicken breasts and gently pound them to an even thickness of about 1 cm (0.4 inches). This helps them cook evenly and stay juicy throughout. Trim the edges so the fillets are just a bit larger than your buns, since they’ll shrink about 20% while cooking. This step ensures every bite is satisfying and nicely sized.
Step 2: Make the Peri Peri Sauce
Next up is crafting that legendary peri peri sauce that turns ordinary chicken extraordinary. Toss the red chilies, capsicum, garlic, oil, malt vinegar, smoked paprika, oregano, onion powder, sugar, salt, and a few drops of red food coloring if you want that classic fiery red shade, into a blender. Blitz everything together until smooth and irresistible. This homemade touch is what makes this Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken Burgers Recipe truly shine with authentic flavor.
Step 3: Marinate the Chicken
Pour about half a cup of your freshly blended peri peri sauce into a bowl or resealable bag, then add your chicken pieces. Turn them to coat evenly, bathing each bite in spicy, smoky goodness. Marinate the chicken in the fridge for at least 3 hours to allow the flavors to deeply seep in – though for the best results, leaving it overnight really elevates the taste to another level.
Step 4: Prepare the Perinaise
While the chicken marinates, mix together your mayonnaise, sour cream, and a spoonful of the peri peri sauce to create a creamy, tangy Perinaise spread. This addition brings a cooling counterpoint to the fiery chicken and helps layer the flavors in your burger beautifully. Set the Perinaise aside until assembly.
Step 5: Cook the Chicken
Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan or brush your BBQ grill with oil and heat it up. Cook the chicken breasts for about 3 minutes on each side, or thighs for 4 minutes, in batches if needed. Adjust the heat if parts begin to char too quickly; a slight char is delicious and adds authentic flavor, but you want to avoid burning. The goal is juicy, tender chicken with a smoky, slightly crispy exterior.
Step 6: Rest and Toast
Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and loosely cover with foil, letting it rest for five peaceful minutes to retain juices. Meanwhile, give your burger rolls a quick toast if you like – this not only adds texture but also helps keep the buns from soaking up too much sauce later.
Step 7: Assemble Your Burger
Now the fun part! Spread a generous layer of Perinaise on the base of each roll, then add crisp lettuce and juicy tomato slices. Place your peri peri chicken on top, followed by another dollop of Perinaise, and if you’re feeling bold, an extra drizzle of peri peri sauce for that extra kick. Top with the roll lid and get ready to indulge in one of the best chicken burgers you’ll ever taste!
How to Serve Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken Burgers Recipe
Garnishes
Adding garnishes can elevate your Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken Burgers Recipe to next-level deliciousness. Fresh coriander or parsley sprinkled on top gives a pop of herbaceous brightness, while thinly sliced red onions add a tangy crunch that complements the spicy chicken. Don’t be afraid to add some sliced avocado for creaminess or even pickled jalapeños if you love extra heat and tang.
Side Dishes
These burgers are fabulous with simple sides that balance the bold peri peri flavors. Think golden crispy fries, preferably homemade or sweet potato fries for a hint of sweetness. A crunchy slaw with a light vinegar dressing pairs wonderfully to add freshness and texture, or go classic with a crisp green salad dotted with cherry tomatoes and cucumber. Whatever you choose, keep it refreshing to complement the fiery chicken.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress guests or just treat yourself, consider serving your Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken Burgers Recipe on a rustic wooden board with shared dipping bowls of extra peri peri sauce and garlic aioli. Wrap the burgers in parchment paper tied with twine for a charming, casual look. Alternatively, cut each burger in half and skewer it with a colorful toothpick to showcase the vibrant filling—it’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover chicken or assembled burgers, store them separately in airtight containers to keep everything fresh. The marinated and cooked chicken will stay tasty in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep buns apart so they don’t get soggy overnight.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months. Make sure to wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re craving Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken Burgers Recipe after some time, simply thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat chicken gently in a pan over low heat or in the oven at 350°F (175°C) to avoid drying it out. Avoid the microwave if possible, as it can make the chicken tough. Toast fresh buns just before serving and add cool toppings to recreate that fresh burger experience.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for this recipe?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are even juicier and more forgiving during cooking. Just adjust the cooking time by a minute or so to ensure they’re cooked through but still tender.
How spicy is the Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken Burgers Recipe?
The heat is quite flexible! By adjusting the number of birds eye chilies in the sauce from one to three, you control how mild or spicy the burgers turn out. It’s perfect for those who want just a little warmth or those who crave a fiery hit.
Can I make the peri peri sauce in advance?
Yes, the sauce keeps well in the fridge for up to a week. Making it ahead saves time on burger day and allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
What’s the best bread to use for these burgers?
Soft, slightly sweet burger rolls work best to hold the juicy chicken and toppings without overwhelming the flavors. A lightly toasted brioche or potato roll would be ideal.
Is there a vegetarian alternative for these burgers?
You can try marinating thick slices of grilled portobello mushrooms or cauliflower steaks in the peri peri sauce for a delicious vegetarian twist that captures the spirit of the recipe.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the excitement of biting into a homemade burger that bursts with the smoky, spicy, and tangy flavors of the Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken Burgers Recipe. Whether you’re cooking for a casual dinner or an impressive weekend gathering, this recipe brings vibrant tastes and a satisfying texture that keep everyone coming back for more. Give it a try, and I promise it will become a fast favorite in your kitchen as it is in mine!
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Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken Burgers Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes plus marinating time (3-24 hours recommended)
- Yield: 4 burgers
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: South African – Portuguese Fusion
Description
Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken Burgers are a flavorful, spicy take on the classic chicken burger, featuring a homemade peri peri sauce and creamy peri-naise. This recipe includes marinated grilled or pan-fried chicken breasts or thighs served with fresh lettuce and tomato on toasted soft rolls for a satisfying meal that captures the iconic South African-Portuguese peri peri flavor.
Ingredients
Peri Peri Sauce
- 1–3 birds eye red chilies (1 is very mild, 3 is mildly spicy)
- 1 medium red capsicum / bell pepper, roughly cut into 1.5cm / 1/2″ pieces
- 5 garlic cloves, peeled, whole
- 3 tbsp vegetable or canola oil (or other plain flavored oil)
- 4 tbsp malt vinegar
- 2 tbsp smoked paprika (substitute regular/sweet paprika)
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp onion powder (substitute garlic powder)
- 1 1/2 tsp white sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
- 3 drops red food colouring (optional)
Peri-Naise
- 3 tbsp Peri Peri Sauce (from above)
- 1/2 cup whole egg mayonnaise (or other mayonnaise)
- 1/4 cup sour cream (or yoghurt)
Chicken and Assembly
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 chicken breasts or chicken thigh fillets, skinless boneless (each large enough for a burger)
- 4 soft rolls, split and lightly toasted (if desired)
- 2 tomatoes, sliced
- Lettuce of choice
Instructions
- Prepare chicken breast: If using chicken breasts, pound them to an even thickness of about 1 cm (0.4 inches) using a meat mallet or rolling pin, placing the chicken between freezer bags or a go-between sheet. Trim each piece so it is slightly larger than the burger buns, considering about 20% shrinkage during cooking.
- Make Peri Peri Sauce: Combine all peri peri sauce ingredients into a jug or blender. Blitz until the mixture is smooth using a stick blender, food processor, or blender.
- Marinate chicken: Pour half a cup of the peri peri sauce into a bowl or ziplock bag, add the chicken pieces, and coat them thoroughly. Marinate for a minimum of 3 hours or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator to infuse flavor.
- Prepare Perinaise: In a separate bowl, mix together the prepared peri peri sauce, mayonnaise, and sour cream to create the peri-naise. Set aside.
- Cook chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan over medium to medium-high heat, or alternatively brush a BBQ grill with oil and heat it. Cook the chicken breasts for 3 minutes on each side or chicken thighs for 4 minutes on each side, cooking in batches if necessary. Reduce heat as needed to avoid excessive charring. A slight char is desirable for flavor.
- Rest chicken: Remove the cooked chicken onto a plate, loosely cover with foil, and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, toast the split rolls if you like.
- Assemble burgers: Spread peri-naise on the base of each roll. Layer lettuce and tomato slices on top, then add the rested chicken. Finish with more peri-naise and extra peri peri sauce if you desire, then top with the bun lids to complete the burgers.
Notes
- Adjust the number of birds eye chilies based on your spice tolerance: 1 chili is very mild, 3 provides mild heat.
- Malt vinegar adds a distinctive tanginess; substitute with red or white wine vinegar if unavailable.
- Red food coloring is optional and used for a vibrant color but does not affect flavor.
- If using chicken thighs, adjust cooking times slightly to ensure they are fully cooked through.
- To achieve even cooking thickness, pounding chicken breasts is crucial to avoid uneven cooking.
