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Nando’s-Style Peri Peri Chicken Burger

If you’re craving the iconic Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken Burger, look no further—this recipe brings the delicious flavor home! A homemade Peri Peri sauce serves as a spicy marinade for the grilled chicken and doubles as a creamy, tangy Peri-noise sauce to slather on your burger. This dish is perfect for summer BBQs and a hit for anyone who loves bold, zesty flavors.

Nando’s has a worldwide fan base for its flame-grilled, Portuguese-style chicken paired with their famous Peri Peri sauce. In Australia, it’s especially popular! Since creating this version, it has become a top request for BBQs, delivering that same mouth-watering flavor in a homemade version. This Peri Peri sauce is adaptable to different spice levels, ranging from mild to fiery, and brings a delightful “party in your mouth” sensation!

Homemade Peri Peri Sauce

Our homemade Nando’s-style Peri Peri sauce tastes remarkably similar to the original but is made with real, simple ingredients. This sauce combines fresh red chilies, bell peppers, garlic, vinegar, and oil with a blend of herbs and spices like paprika and oregano. After inspecting a Nando’s bottle, I recreated this flavorful blend without preservatives or artificial ingredients.

To make the sauce, just blend everything until smooth. It only takes seconds!

Ingredients for Peri Peri Sauce Here’s what goes into this copycat Peri Peri sauce recipe:

  • Bird’s Eye chilies: These spicy chilies add heat. For mild, use about three; for extra spicy, add up to five. You can adjust the spice level by adding more or substituting with dried red pepper flakes.
  • Bell pepper: Adds a mild, fresh pepper flavor without extra heat.
  • Garlic: Essential for the robust flavor of Peri Peri sauce.
  • Malt vinegar: A slightly less sharp, brown vinegar. Substitutes include red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or white wine vinegar.
  • Oil: Use a neutral oil like canola, vegetable, or even olive oil.
  • Spices: A mix of onion powder, paprika (smoked if possible for added flavor), and dried oregano. A small amount of red food coloring is optional if you want a brighter color.

Assembling Your Peri Peri Chicken Burgers

To make these burgers, you’ll need chicken, a homemade Peri-anise sauce, and some classic toppings. Here’s a breakdown of each step:

1. Chicken
Use boneless thigh or breast fillets for the burgers. Thighs tend to be juicier and cook more evenly, while chicken breast benefits from being pounded flat to ensure even cooking. If using breast, flatten each piece to about 1 cm (0.4 inches) thickness for best results.

2. Peri-naise (Creamy Sauce) This sauce is a nod to Nando’s Peri-naise—mix some of your homemade Peri Peri sauce with a blend of sour cream and mayonnaise. This gives it a lighter, creamy texture, so you can be generous without guilt. It’s the perfect complement to the spicy, grilled chicken.

3. Toppings Choose soft burger rolls, fresh lettuce, and sliced tomatoes. Butter lettuce or other tender greens are ideal. For extra crunch, romaine or iceberg lettuce can be shredded.

How to Make Peri Peri Chicken Burgers

  1. Prepare the Chicken
    • For chicken breast, pound each piece to even thickness (about 1 cm/0.4 inches) to ensure even cooking and juiciness.
    • Cut pieces to fit slightly larger than the burger buns.
  2. Make the Peri Peri Sauce
    • Blend all ingredients until smooth, using a blender or food processor.
    • This sauce will serve as both the chicken marinade and a sauce for the burgers.
  3. Prepare the Peri-noise Sauce
    • Mix three tablespoons of the Peri Peri sauce with sour cream and mayonnaise.
  4. Marinate the Chicken
    • Use ½ cup of the Peri Peri sauce to marinate the chicken for at least three hours, or overnight if possible. This lets the flavors develop fully.
  5. Grill the Chicken
    • Grill the chicken over medium to medium-high heat to avoid burning the sauce. Aim for a few charred spots without blackening the whole piece.
    • Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking. This helps the juices reabsorb, resulting in tender, juicy chicken.
  6. Assemble the Burger
    • Start with a generous spread of Peri-noise on the bottom bun, then add lettuce, tomato, and the grilled chicken. Top with more Peri-noise and an extra dollop of Peri Peri sauce for added heat.
  7. Enjoy!
    • Place the top bun on, and you’re ready to dig in!

Perfect for Outdoor Gatherings

This Peri Peri Chicken Burger is a summer favorite, ideal for casual outdoor gatherings. I like to marinate the chicken ahead of time, and then let friends or family take turns at the grill. For a DIY setup, arrange rolls, lettuce, tomato, and sauces so guests can build their burgers. It’s a crowd-pleaser with minimal cleanup—just napkins, no plates!

Whether you’re hosting a BBQ or just looking for a delicious homemade burger, these Nando’s-inspired Peri Peri Chicken Burgers are sure to impress with their zesty, flame-grilled flavor and creamy sauce.

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