Description
Creamy Peri-Peri Chicken with Rice is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring tender chicken simmered in a rich, spicy peri-peri cream sauce, served over fluffy white rice. This African-inspired main course combines smoky paprika, garlic, and lemon for a balanced heat and tang that makes a perfect weeknight dinner or special comfort meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 to 3 tablespoons peri-peri sauce (adjust to heat preference)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
To Serve
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, finely chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are lightly browned and mostly cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add Spices and Sauce Base: Stir in the peri-peri sauce, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine all the flavors evenly.
- Simmer with Broth: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Use a spoon to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet, as they add great flavor to the sauce.
- Create Creamy Sauce: Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream and lemon juice until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
- Finish Cooking Chicken: Return the partially cooked chicken to the skillet. Let everything simmer gently for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Serve: Spoon the creamy peri-peri chicken hot over cooked white rice. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or cilantro before serving for a burst of fresh flavor and color.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of peri-peri sauce to control the spice level to your taste.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream to reduce fat content.
- This dish pairs excellently with steamed vegetables or a simple green salad to round out the meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: African-Inspired
