Easy Creamy Peri Peri Chicken With Rice Recipe That Sizzles

Creamy peri peri chicken bursts with vibrant, bold flavors that dance across your palate.

This fiery dish combines tangy Portuguese-inspired spices with a luxurious, smooth sauce that elevates simple ingredients.

Passionate home cooks adore the complex heat and rich undertones that make this recipe truly special.

African and Portuguese culinary traditions merge seamlessly in this mouthwatering meal that promises excitement in every bite.

Unexpected layers of spiciness blend harmoniously with creamy textures, creating a remarkable dining experience.

Tender chicken pieces absorb the intense marinade, revolutionizeing an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary feast.

The accompanying rice provides a perfect canvas for soaking up all those incredible, zesty flavors.

Peri Peri Heat Meets Creamy, Cozy Rice

• Spice Up Your Weeknight Dinner: This Creamy Peri Peri Chicken With Rice transforms a simple meal into a flavor explosion with minimal effort, bringing restaurant-quality taste right to your kitchen.
• Master a Foolproof Cooking Technique: The step-by-step method ensures perfectly grilled chicken and fluffy rice, making it an ideal recipe for home cooks of all skill levels who want consistent, delicious results.
• Enjoy a Flavor-Packed Comfort Meal: The combination of zesty peri-peri sauce, creamy texture, and aromatic spices creates a harmonious blend that satisfies comfort food cravings while delivering exciting taste sensations.
• Quick and Impressive Weekday Solution: With just 30 minutes of active cooking time and straightforward ingredients, this dish offers a gourmet meal that looks sophisticated but requires minimal culinary expertise.

Ingredients That Build This Comfort Bowl

• Chicken Thighs: Juicy and flavorful meat that absorbs marinade well, bone-in or boneless work great.

• Olive Oil, Lemon Juice: Helps tenderize chicken and adds bright, zesty flavor.
• Crushed Garlic: Provides robust, aromatic base for marinade.
• Smoked Paprika, Oregano: Adds depth and traditional Mediterranean seasoning.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing overall taste.

• Jasmine Rice: Fragrant and fluffy rice that complements chicken perfectly.
• Chicken Broth: Adds rich, savory flavor to rice.
• Onions, Bell Peppers: Provides sweet and colorful vegetable base.
• Crushed Garlic, Turmeric: Adds warm, earthy undertones to rice.
• Frozen Corn: Adds sweet texture and color to rice.

• Peri-Peri Sauce: Brings spicy, tangy African-Portuguese flavor profile.
• Heavy Cream: Creates smooth, rich sauce texture.
• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and balances creamy sauce.
• Salt: Enhances sauce's overall seasoning.

How to Layer Flavor Without Overdoing Spice

Step 1: Craft the Zesty Marinade

• Olive oil
• Fresh lemon juice
• Crushed garlic
• Smoked paprika
• Dried oregano
• Salt
• Black pepper

Massage the marinade into chicken thighs, ensuring complete coverage. Let the chicken soak up flavors in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or overnight for maximum taste explosion.

Step 2: Build Aromatic Rice Base

• Diced onions
• Chopped bell peppers

Sprinkle in crushed garlic and turmeric, stirring for 30 seconds to release their magical aroma. Add Jasmine rice, chicken broth, and a pinch of salt. Simmer until liquid disappears, about 10 minutes. Fold in frozen corn, reduce heat, cover, and steam for another 10 minutes. Let rice rest off the heat.

Step 3: Whip Up Creamy Peri Peri Sauce

• Fiery peri-peri sauce
• Rich heavy cream
• Bright lemon juice
• Pinch of salt

Simmer on medium-high heat for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens into a luscious, creamy dream.

Step 4: Grill Chicken to Perfection

Crank up a grill pan to high heat. Lay marinated chicken thighs on the sizzling surface. Grill 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, creating irresistible char marks.

Step 5: Assemble Your Culinary Masterpiece

Spread the fragrant rice on plates, crown with juicy grilled chicken, and lavish with the creamy peri-peri sauce.

Tips for Creamy Consistency in Sauce and Rice

• Marinate Strategically: Let chicken soak in the marinade overnight for maximum flavor infusion and tenderness.
• Grill with Precision: Use a high heat grill pan to achieve those beautiful golden-brown char marks and seal in juicy chicken flavors.
• Balance Sauce Consistency: Simmer peri-peri cream sauce slowly to develop rich, creamy texture without burning or separating.
• Rice Steaming Secret: Cover rice during the final 10 minutes of cooking to ensure perfect fluffy texture and even heat distribution.
• Customize Heat Levels: Adjust peri-peri sauce quantity based on personal spice tolerance for a personalized dining experience.

Storing the Whole Dish Without Separation

• Refrigeration: Store leftover chicken and rice separately in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating Chicken: Warm chicken in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or broth to prevent drying. Cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F, stirring occasionally.
• Rice Revival: Sprinkle a few drops of water over rice before microwaving to restore moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming and prevent clumping.

Best Pairings for a Saucy Chicken Meal

• Boost Flavor Companions: Pair this zesty peri-peri chicken with a crisp, citrusy white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Grigio to complement the tangy marinade and creamy sauce.
• Cool Down the Heat: Serve a refreshing cucumber and mint salad alongside the dish to balance the spicy peri-peri flavors and provide a cooling contrast to the rich, creamy sauce.
• Bread Basket Boost: Offer warm, crusty garlic bread or Portuguese-style rolls to soak up the delicious creamy peri-peri sauce and add an extra layer of comfort to the meal.
• Tropical Drink Delight: Blend a fresh passion fruit or mango smoothie to echo the vibrant, zesty notes of the peri-peri chicken and provide a sweet, tropical counterpoint to the spicy dish.

Recipe Variations That Keep It Fresh

• Spicy Veggie Remix: Replace chicken with grilled tofu or tempeh, using the same marinade and cooking method for a plant-based protein option.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Swap peri-peri sauce with tzatziki and add chopped cucumber, feta cheese, and kalamata olives to transform the dish into a Greek-inspired meal.
• Coconut Curry Spin: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and add mild curry powder to the sauce, creating a tropical-inspired flavor profile that complements the rice and chicken.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Replace Jasmine rice with cauliflower rice, maintaining the same seasonings and cooking technique for a lighter, low-carbohydrate alternative.

Creamy Peri Peri Chicken With Rice Recipe

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4.9 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Portuguese-inspired peri peri chicken delivers a spicy, tangy explosion of flavor that dances across palates. Marinated chicken nestled with fragrant rice creates a delightful meal guaranteeing satisfaction for spice enthusiasts.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 1 lb (500g) skinless, boneless chicken thighs

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon turmeric

Base Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 cups jasmine rice
• 4 cups chicken broth or water
• 2 cups frozen corn
• ½ cup peri-peri sauce
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• Lemon juice to taste
• Salt to taste

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Instructions

1. Craft a zesty marinade by whisking together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing bowl.
2. Thoroughly coat chicken thighs in the marinade, ensuring complete coverage. Seal and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing flavors to penetrate deeply.
3. Heat oil in a medium pot over moderate flame. Sauté diced onions and bell peppers until they become translucent and slightly softened.
4. Introduce crushed garlic and turmeric to the vegetable mixture, stirring quickly to release aromatic compounds without burning.
5. Pour Jasmine rice into the pot, followed by chicken broth and a pinch of salt. Bring liquid to a gentle simmer and cook until rice absorbs the liquid, approximately 10 minutes.
6. Fold frozen corn into the rice, reduce heat to minimal setting, and cover. Allow rice to steam for an additional 10 minutes before removing from heat.
7. Prepare the creamy peri-peri sauce by combining peri-peri sauce, heavy cream, lemon juice, and salt in a small saucepan. Simmer and reduce until sauce thickens slightly.
8. Heat a grill pan to high temperature. Char marinated chicken thighs for 6-7 minutes per side, achieving a golden-brown exterior and ensuring thorough cooking.
9. Arrange fragrant rice on serving plates, position grilled chicken on top, and lavishly drizzle with the vibrant peri-peri cream sauce.

Notes

• Marinate chicken for maximum flavor by letting it sit in the refrigerator overnight, allowing the herbs and spices to deeply penetrate the meat.
• Use high heat when grilling to achieve a beautiful golden-brown exterior while keeping the chicken tender and juicy inside.
• Choose Jasmine rice for its fragrant aroma and slightly sticky texture that complements the spicy peri-peri sauce perfectly.
• Adjust the peri-peri sauce’s heat level by selecting a mild or hot sauce based on your personal spice tolerance.
• Create a balanced meal by incorporating colorful bell peppers and sweet corn into the rice for added nutrition and texture.
• Prepare the sauce just before serving to ensure it remains warm and maintains its creamy, velvety consistency.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: African

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 660
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 1100 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 75 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 125 mg