Piri-piri chicken and slaw

Prepare: less than 30 mins
Cook: 10 to 30 mins
Serve: Serves 4
Dietary: Egg-free Nut-free Pregnancy-friendly

Special enough to feel like a weekend treat, but easy enough for busy weeknights, this charred piri-piri chicken with rainbow slaw is perfect for any occasion!

By Dr Saliha Mahmood-Ahmed

From Saturday Kitchen

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Ingredients

For the piri-piri rub

1 tbsp smoked sweet paprika
1 tbsp hot paprika
2 tsp garlic granules
2 tsp onion salt
1 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp flaky sea salt
2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp caster sugar
1 heaped tsp ancho or habanero chilli flakes (optional)

For the piri-piri chicken

4 chicken breasts (100–125g/3½–4½oz each), about 1cm
1–2 tbsp piri-piri rub (see above, or use shop bought)
1 tbsp olive oil
flatbreads or leftover rice/grains/potatoes, to serve

For the sweetcorn

4 frozen sweetcorn cobs
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
pinch salt

For the slaw

¼ red cabbage, finely shredded
1 large carrot, grated or thinly sliced
½ red onion, thinly sliced
1 tsp piri-piri rub (see above, or use shop bought)
1 lime, juice only
1–2 tbsp full-fat Greek yoghurt
pinch salt

Recipe tips

Method

To make the piri-piri rub, mix all of the ingredients and place in a dry jar.
To make the piri-piri chicken, place the chicken breasts in a shallow bowl and dust them liberally with the piri-piri rub. Drizzle over the olive oil and use your hands to fully cover the chicken with the rub and oil.
Place a non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat and when hot, add the chicken breasts and fry for 2–3 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is cooked through and the edges are golden and charred.
Meanwhile, to make the sweetcorn, place the frozen corn cobs in a microwave-safe bowl, splash with a little water and cook from frozen for about 8 minutes, or until tender.
Drizzle the oil over the sweetcorn and season with salt to taste.
To make the slaw, put the shredded vegetables into a bowl and season with piri-piri rub, salt and lime juice. Mix in the Greek yoghurt and stir well.
Serve the piri-piri chicken with all the sides.

Recipe tips

If you have an air fryer, you can alternatively roast the chicken in the air fryer at 200C for 6–8 minutes.

If you have time, you can hold the corn with tongs near the flame of the hob and char slightly after microwaving.