Spiced Grilled Peri-Peri Chicken Thighs with Citrus Herb Marinade

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs marinated in a vibrant peri-peri spice blend with lemon and herbs, grilled until charred and smoky for a flavorful African-inspired dish. This african ready in about 30 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, peri-peri sauce, lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 370 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 370 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup peri-peri sauce, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 5 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the marinade.
  2. Step 2: Add 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 lbs) to the marinade, tossing to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight for best flavor.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off.
  4. Step 4: Grill chicken thighs skin-side down for 6-7 minutes until skin is crisp and charred at edges, then flip and grill an additional 6-7 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  5. Step 5: Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with 1 tsp orange zest and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley before serving to add brightness and fresh aroma.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Grilled Peri-Peri Chicken Thighs with Citrus Herb Marinade take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Spiced Grilled Peri-Peri Chicken Thighs with Citrus Herb Marinade?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Grilled Peri-Peri Chicken Thighs with Citrus Herb Marinade?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Spiced Grilled Peri-Peri Chicken Thighs with Citrus Herb Marinade for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Spiced Grilled Peri-Peri Chicken Thighs with Citrus Herb Marinade?

African african like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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