Nando's Peri-Peri Butterfly Chicken Breast Recipe - My Gorgeous Recipes (2024)

Published: Aug 5, 2019 · Modified: Sep 3, 2022 by Daniela Apostol · This post may contain affiliate links · 15 Comments

Nando's Peri-Peri Butterfly Chicken Breast, a super easy and delicious recipe that is a huge hit with the whole family. Learn how to butterfly a chicken breast to perfection for a speedy cooking time and juicy and moist chicken that so good and simple. This grilled chicken breast recipe is such a treat!

Nando's was one of the first restaurants I went to when I first came to the UK. Needless to say, I absolutely loved the food there, and it's been one of my favourite restaurants every since. What's not to love about it, you get amazing food at quite a convenient price, and the service is always great.

What's probably their secret weapon in terms of quality is the fabulous sauces and marinades that give the chicken dishes they serve a unique flavour that is so Nando's. I can recognise a Nando's style chicken easily, and their famous peri-peri chicken is ever so popular.

My peri-peri butterfly chicken might not be an authentic Nando's recipe, but it comes as close as possible to the real deal. If you fancy Nando's, but can't be bothered to go out, you can easily make this recipe at home, and it's the next best thing you can get.

As long as you have the marinade, you can cook any other part of the chicken the same way: either a whole or spatchcock chicken, chicken legs or thighs.

It's the best chicken you can cook on a BBQ or electric grill, and it makes a fantastic addition to your family-gathering menu for every occasion.

If you like the peri-peri flavour, how about my Peri-Peri Chicken Wings? They are baked to perfection, and so delicious!

Ingredients needed to make peri peri butterfly chicken breast

• chicken breasts - it doesn't really matter the size, as even if they are larger, they get tenderised, so they cook quickly anyway
• olive oil- a lot better than other oils for this marinade
• lemon juice
• smoked paprika - or regular paprika if you don't have the smoked one
• tabasco - or any other chilli sauce
• chilli flakes
• garlic - minced or very finely chopped
• oregano
• salt & pepper

Step-by-step photos and instructions

• To make the marinade, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, smoked paprika, oregano, minced garlic, chilli flakes, salt , pepper and tabasco.
• Mix well to get a paste ( see photo 2)

• To butterfly the chicken breasts: place your hand on top of a chicken breast, then run a long sharp knife along the side of the chicken.
• Slice the chicken breast in half horizontally, but do not cut all the way through.
• Open it up, and flatten it, it will have the shape of a butterfly.
• Use a meat tenderizer to flatten it down even more to the desired thickness.
• Repeat with the second chicken breast.
• Rub the marinade on both sides of each butterfly chicken, then refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours.
• Heat up a grill pan, and place one chicken breast at a time.
• Grill for about 3 minutes on each side or until cooked through.

Expert tips

This marinade is what makes the difference between an okayish chicken recipe and the best chicken recipe one can get. For best results, rub the chicken with the marinade, and leave to chill for at least 1-2 hours, the longer, then better.

The chicken breast will then soak up all the flavours, and the meat will be tender and aromatic. Once it's done marinating, it only takes about 7-8 minutes or so on the grill, depending on the size of your chicken breast.

The thinner the chicken breast, the better, especially when you cook on a high heat. You want the centre of the meat cooked through when it comes to chicken.

If you happen to have any leftovers, you can make this delicious Grilled Chicken Avocado Wrap too.

What to serve with peri-peri chicken

For the best Nando's experience, serve this peri-peri chicken with chips/fries, I have this delicious homemade baked fries recipe that is absolutely delicious.

Corn on the cob is another fantastic side for your chicken, plus any salad of your choice. I highly recommend a simple green salad that is the best accompaniment for any roast/grill.

Rice cannot miss from the menu either. Whether you go for Nando's own rice recipe, or my simple basmati rice, you know you are in for a treat.

Recipe FAQs

Other chicken breast recipes

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