Pili Pili Chicken

Spicy-spicy African chicken pili pili is great served with spiced corn and dill rice pilaf .

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Calories: 395 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• ¼ cup white vinegar
• 4 teaspoons paprika
• 2 cups water, divided
• 4 (5 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 4 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 3 teaspoons garlic paste, divided
• 2 teaspoons ginger

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Step 2

Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil the grate.

Step 3

Mix 1 teaspoon garlic paste, lemon juice, and salt together in a bowl. Place chicken breasts in a baking pan, spread evenly with the garlic mixture, and refrigerate 2 hours to overnight.

Step 4

Pour oil on marinated chicken in the baking pan. Add 1 cup water and cover baking pan with a lid or aluminum foil.

Step 5

Bake chicken in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center and juices run clear, about 20 minutes. Drain and reserve juices in a saucepan.

Step 6

Transfer baked chicken to the grill. Cook until grill marks have formed on all sides, 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 7

Add remaining 1 cup water, remaining 2 teaspoons garlic paste, vinegar, tomato paste, paprika, black pepper, and ginger to the saucepan with the reserved chicken juices. Bring to a boil and cook sauce until slightly thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add additional tomato paste to reduce spiciness, if desired.

Step 8

Dip cooked chicken breasts into sauce and use remaining sauce as gravy for side dishes.