Spicy South African Peri-Peri Chicken Skewers

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

Grilled chicken marinated in a fiery peri-peri sauce with garlic, chili, and lemon for a bold, smoky flavor inspired by South African street food. This african-inspired latin american ready in about 27 minutes pairs peri-peri sauce, garlic cloves, minced, lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.

★ 4.2 (13 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 African cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1/3 cup peri-peri sauce, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper to create the marinade.
  2. Step 2: Add 1.5 pounds of 1-inch chicken thigh pieces to the marinade, tossing well to coat all pieces. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 425°F). Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto 8 soaked wooden skewers evenly.
  4. Step 4: Grill the chicken skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and edges are slightly charred and smoky.
  5. Step 5: Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with lemon wedges.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy South African Peri-Peri Chicken Skewers take to make?

Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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 Spicy South African Peri-Peri Chicken Skewers?

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 peri-peri sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy South African Peri-Peri Chicken Skewers?

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 Spicy South African Peri-Peri Chicken Skewers 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 Spicy South African Peri-Peri Chicken Skewers?

African latin american 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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