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Peri Peri Chicken Burger

Make your favorite restaurant's fiery, flavor-packed peri peri chicken at home as a delightful burger.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 4 burgers
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: African, Portuguese
Calories: 220
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 4 pieces boneless chicken breasts (6 oz each)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
For the Peri Peri Marinade/Sauce
  • 6-8 pieces red chilies (bird's eye or Thai)
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 1 piece red bell pepper, roasted
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Burgers
  • 4 pieces brioche buns
  • Lettuce leaves
  • Tomato slices
  • Red onion, thinly sliced
  • Pickled jalapeños (optional)
  • Mayo or aioli

Method
 

Making the Marinade and Preparing Chicken
  1. Remove stems from chilies, keeping seeds for maximum heat. Wear gloves to prevent burns.
  2. Roast the red bell pepper until charred. Peel the skin and remove seeds.
  3. In a blender, add chilies, roasted pepper, garlic, and all remaining marinade ingredients. Blend until smooth.
  4. Pound chicken breasts to ½-inch thickness.
  5. Place chicken in a large zip-top bag. Pour half the peri peri sauce over, rubbing it into the chicken.
  6. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight. Reserve remaining sauce for basting.
Grilling the Chicken
  1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F) and oil the grates.
  2. Remove chicken from marinade and let excess drip off. Pat lightly with paper towels and brush with olive oil.
  3. Place chicken on the hottest part of the grill. Cook undisturbed for 6-7 minutes.
  4. Flip the chicken carefully, brush with fresh peri peri sauce, and cook another 6-7 minutes. Baste again in the last 2 minutes.
  5. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F and let chicken rest for 5 minutes before assembling burgers.
Assembling the Burger
  1. Spread mayo or aioli on the bottom bun and add a lettuce leaf.
  2. Place the hot peri peri chicken on the lettuce.
  3. Top with tomato slices, red onion, and pickled jalapeños if using.
  4. Drizzle extra peri peri sauce over the layers.
  5. Add the top bun and secure with a toothpick if necessary.

Notes

Variations of the sauce can include mixing with Greek yogurt for a creamy version, doubling the garlic, or adding smoked paprika for a smoky flavor. Meal prep by marinating chicken ahead and grilling all patties.