Homemade Portuguese Chicken

This Portuguese chicken recipe features bone-in legs marinated overnight in a zesty, seasoned blend, then baked for a comforting, homemade dinner.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 55 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 492 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 4 chicken leg quarters
• 4 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1 teaspoon chili powder, or to taste
• 1 pinch sea salt to taste
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.25 cup olive oil
• 0.25 cup lemon juice

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Combine lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, paprika, oregano, 1 teaspoon sea salt, chili powder, red pepper flakes, bay leaf, and black pepper in a blender or food processor. Blend until sauce is very smooth.

Step 3

Use a knife to score chicken legs a few times and place in a resealable plastic bag (or a large bowl). Pour about 1/3 cup sauce over chicken legs; stir to coat well. Season with additional sea salt. Seal the bag (or cover the bowl) and marinate in the refrigerator, 8 hours to overnight. Reserve remaining sauce for basting.

Step 4

Place marinated chicken in a baking dish; discard any excess marinade. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Turn chicken over and baste with reserved sauce. Re-cover with foil and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 15 to 20 minutes more. An instant-read thermometer inserted near a bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).