Homemade Portuguese Chicken

This Portuguese chicken can be baked or grilled. You may double or triple the recipe (or more if required) for bigger batches of chicken. An easy recipe to make several servings for a party!

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

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 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

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Score chicken legs a few times using a knife and place in a resealable bag or a bowl. Pour about 1/3 cup of sauce over chicken and toss well. Season with additional sea salt. Cover or seal and marinate chicken in a refrigerator, 8 hours to overnight. Reserve remaining sauce for basting.

Step 3

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place chicken in a baking dish and cover with aluminum foil.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Turn chicken over and baste with extra marinade. Cover baking dish with foil once again and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake until no longer pink in the center and juices run clear, 15 to 20 minutes more. An instant-read thermometer inserted near a bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).