Grilled Ugandan-Style Chicken with Pili Pili Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-26 · Updated 2026-07-26

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Juicy grilled chicken marinated in spices and served with a fiery pili pili chili sauce popular in East Africa. This African-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, skin on, lemon juice, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 African cuisine 420 cal/serving

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Ingredients

6 pieces chicken thighs, skin on
3 tbsp lemon juice
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp paprika
1 tsp ground coriander
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
3 small red chili peppers, finely chopped
2 tbsp white vinegar
1 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped

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Instructions

Step 1: In a bowl, combine 3 tbsp lemon juice, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp ground coriander, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Add 6 chicken thighs and coat thoroughly. Marinate for at least 2 hours in the fridge.
Step 2: Meanwhile, prepare the pili pili sauce by mixing 3 finely chopped red chili peppers, 1 small finely chopped onion, 2 tbsp white vinegar, 1 tbsp tomato paste, and 2 tbsp olive oil in a small bowl. Set aside to let flavors meld.
Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Grill the marinated chicken thighs for 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through and skin is crisp.
Step 4: Serve the grilled chicken hot with a side of the spicy pili pili sauce for dipping or drizzling.