Nando's Peri-Peri Butterfly Chicken Breast, a super easy and delicious recipe that is a huge hit with the whole family. Learn how to butterfly a chicken breast to perfection for a speedy cooking time and juicy and moist chicken that so good and simple. This grilled chicken breast recipe is such a treat!
Nando's was one of the first restaurants I went to when I first came to the UK. Needless to say, I absolutely loved the food there, and it's been one of my favourite restaurants every since. What's not to love about it, you get amazing food at quite a convenient price, and the service is always great.
What's probably their secret weapon in terms of quality is the fabulous sauces and marinades that give the chicken dishes they serve a unique flavour that is so Nando's. I can recognise a Nando's style chicken easily, and their famous peri-peri chicken is ever so popular.
My peri-peri butterfly chicken might not be an authentic Nando's recipe, but it comes as close as possible to the real deal. If you fancy Nando's, but can't be bothered to go out, you can easily make this recipe at home, and it's the next best thing you can get.
As long as you have the marinade, you can cook any other part of the chicken the same way: either a whole or spatchcock chicken, chicken legs or thighs.
It's the best chicken you can cook on a BBQ or electric grill, and it makes a fantastic addition to your family-gathering menu for every occasion.
If you like the peri-peri flavour, how about my Peri-Peri Chicken Wings? They are baked to perfection, and so delicious!
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Ingredients needed to make peri peri butterfly chicken breast
- chicken breasts - it doesn't really matter the size, as even if they are larger, they get tenderised, so they cook quickly anyway
- olive oil- a lot better than other oils for this marinade
- lemon juice
- smoked paprika - or regular paprika if you don't have the smoked one
- tabasco - or any other chilli sauce
- chilli flakes
- garlic - minced or very finely chopped
- oregano
- salt & pepper
Step-by-step photos and instructions
- To make the marinade, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, smoked paprika, oregano, minced garlic, chilli flakes, salt , pepper and tabasco.
- Mix well to get a paste ( see photo 2)
- To butterfly the chicken breasts: place your hand on top of a chicken breast, then run a long sharp knife along the side of the chicken.
- Slice the chicken breast in half horizontally, but do not cut all the way through.
- Open it up, and flatten it, it will have the shape of a butterfly.
- Use a meat tenderizer to flatten it down even more to the desired thickness.
- Repeat with the second chicken breast.
- Rub the marinade on both sides of each butterfly chicken, then refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours.
- Heat up a grill pan, and place one chicken breast at a time.
- Grill for about 3 minutes on each side or until cooked through.
Expert tips
This marinade is what makes the difference between an okayish chicken recipe and the best chicken recipe one can get. For best results, rub the chicken with the marinade, and leave to chill for at least 1-2 hours, the longer, then better.
The chicken breast will then soak up all the flavours, and the meat will be tender and aromatic. Once it's done marinating, it only takes about 7-8 minutes or so on the grill, depending on the size of your chicken breast.
The thinner the chicken breast, the better, especially when you cook on a high heat. You want the centre of the meat cooked through when it comes to chicken.
If you happen to have any leftovers, you can make this delicious Grilled Chicken Avocado Wrap too.
What to serve with peri-peri chicken
For the best Nando's experience, serve this peri-peri chicken with chips/fries, I have this delicious homemade baked fries recipe that is absolutely delicious.
Corn on the cob is another fantastic side for your chicken, plus any salad of your choice. I highly recommend a simple green salad that is the best accompaniment for any roast/grill.
Rice cannot miss from the menu either. Whether you go for Nando's own rice recipe, or my simple basmati rice, you know you are in for a treat.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, they are exactly the same thing, is the name used in Portuguese and a number of African languages to describe the African bird's-eye chili.
As long as the chicken breast is butterflied correctly and marinated well, it can be cooked either on an electric grill, a grill pan, or on a BBQ.
Other chicken breast recipes
If you’ve liked my NANDO'S STYLE BUTTERFLY CHICKEN BREAST or any other recipe on the blog, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I’m getting up to.
Nando's Peri-Peri Butterfly Chicken Breast Recipe
Equipment
- Grill
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon tabasco (or any other chilli sauce)
- ½ teaspoon chilli flakes
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- a pinch of pepper
Instructions
- To make the marinade, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, smoked paprika, oregano, minced garlic, chilli flakes, salt , pepper and tabasco.
- Mix well to get a paste.
- To butterfly the chicken breasts: place your hand on top of a chicken breast, then run a long sharp knife along the side of the chicken.
- Slice the chicken breast in half horizontally, but do not cut all the way through.
- Open it up, and flatten it, it will have the shape of a butterfly.
- Use a meat tenderizer to flatten it down even more to the desired thickeness.
- Repeat with the second chicken breast.
- Rub the marinade on both sides of each butterfly chicken, then refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours.
- Heat up a grill pan, and place one chicken breast at a time.
- Grill for about 3 minutes on each side or until cooked through.
Notes
- This marinade is what makes the difference between an okayish chicken recipe and the best chicken recipe one can get. For best results, rub the chicken with the marinade, and leave to chill for at least 1-2 hours, the longer, then better.
- The chicken breast will then soak up all the flavours, and the meat will be tender and aromatic. Once it's done marinating, it only takes about 7-8 minutes or so on the grill, depending on the size of your chicken breast.
- The thinner the chicken breast, the better, especially when you cook on a high heat. You want the centre of the meat cooked through when it comes to chicken.
- If you happen to have any leftovers, you can make this delicious Grilled Chicken Avocado Wrap too.
Oswald Lucas
Looks awesome! Today's easter and we're home... like most people on the planet:) and I've got 6 chicken breasts and was browsing through to get a Nando's Style Butterfly Chicken recipe online... and viola! I found yours... so I should be making these for sure. The only variation or addition I will do is instead of the smoked paprika, I'll be substituting it with chilli power, yes, we like it a little hot here in Pakistan:) and instead of the tabasco I'll be using a favourite chilli garlic sauce quite popular here. I'm sure it will turn out great. Thanks for the recipe and the tips. Happy Easter to you and your loved ones. God Bless
Daniela Anderson
I hope the recipe turns out ok!
Abi
Just wanted to say this was the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted. I really miss Nando’s so I might be exaggerating with that statement, but to be honest I’m not sure I’ll ever need to go again!
Daniela Apostol
I am so glad you liked it! I miss Nandos too! Now l am working on peri-peri chicken wings and spicy rice, l should have them on the blog soon.
Willie Woods
Hi recipe looks really nice, what is the sauce served with the meal?
Daniela Apostol
Some more peri-peri sauce.
Anne-Marie Ross
How do you have Piri piri chicken with no effing piri piri?
Daniela Apostol
Because you make your own piri piri sauce? Before you comment, it would be good to read the instructions, and you’ll see that all those ingredients listed are for making your own sauce.
Gerald White
I assume the previous commentor is referring to the lack of African Birds-eye (Peri Peri) chillis which is traditionally the core ingredient of a such a sauce, however having made the recipe it does produce a very similar result. thanks
Amy
Can you shallow fry the chicken instead of grilling it?
Daniela Apostol
Absolutely! Just make sure the chicken is thinly cut so it can cook through.
Mandy
We love this peri peri recipe. I tripled the ingredients as using 4 large chicken breasts and added MAHI peri peri hot sauce as didn’t have Tabasco. Wow, it’s amazing flavours. My family loved it. I marinated butterflied chicken overnight. Made my own guacamole, and fresh salsa. Made Nando’s style spicy rice, iceberg lettuce and cucumber. Grilled halloumi cheese. Layered everything into a wrap, more chilli sauce and sour cream, lush.. left over chicken had for lunch the next day. Thanks for great recipe!
Daniela Apostol
What a fantastic meal! The additions sound so delicious! I am glad you enjoyed the recipe!
JULIE
Lovely I just left out the garlic etc., as I am low FODMAP, it was still lovely. Thank you x
Daniela Apostol
Amazing! I am glad you enjoyed it!