Creamy Peri-Peri Chicken with Rice Recipe
This Creamy Peri-Peri Chicken with Rice recipe offers a spicy, savory, and comforting dish featuring tender chicken pieces marinated in flavorful Peri-Peri sauce, then seared and simmered in a rich, creamy sauce. Served atop fluffy white rice and garnished with fresh parsley, it’s a perfect quick meal that balances heat with creaminess in just 35 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Portuguese-inspired
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into chunks
- 2 tablespoons Peri-Peri sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Aromatics and Sauce
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
To Serve
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the chicken chunks with Peri-Peri sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss well to coat all pieces evenly. Cover and let marinate for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate overnight for a deeper, more intense flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer and sear them for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, browning them nicely and cooking through. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium and add chopped onion and minced garlic to the same skillet. Stir and cook for about 3 minutes, or until the onions are soft and fragrant, scraping any browned bits from the bottom to enhance flavor.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, chicken broth, lemon juice, and sprinkle the dried oregano into the skillet. Stir gently and let the sauce simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until it thickens slightly and becomes silky smooth.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the seared chicken pieces back into the skillet, stirring to coat them well in the creamy peri-peri sauce. Cook together for an additional 2 to 3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the chicken to heat through thoroughly.
- Serve: Spoon the creamy peri-peri chicken over a bed of cooked white rice. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately for a comforting, spicy, and creamy meal.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of Peri-Peri sauce or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the marinade.
- Using boneless skinless chicken thighs yields juicier and more tender results compared to breasts.
- Marinating overnight enhances the flavor but 30 minutes is sufficient for a quicker meal.
- Try substituting heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version, though this will alter the flavor slightly.
- Leftover chicken and sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
Keywords: peri-peri chicken, creamy chicken recipe, spicy chicken dish, quick dinner, stovetop chicken, flavorful chicken with rice