SCHEMA||{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Recipe","name":"Nando's Peri-Peri Chicken Pasta Recipe","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Peter Martin","jobTitle":"Chef","url":"https://www.grittychef.com"},"datePublished":"2024-04-22","description":"A delicious and spicy Nando's-inspired pasta dish featuring tender chicken thighs, penne pasta, and a creamy Peri-Peri sauce with bell peppers and spinach.","prepTime":"PT15M","cookTime":"PT30M","totalTime":"PT45M","keywords":"Peri-Peri chicken pasta, Nando's inspired recipe, spicy pasta dish, creamy chicken pasta, easy dinner recipe","recipeYield":"4","recipeCategory":"Main Course","recipeCuisine":"Portuguese-African Fusion","nutrition":{"@type":"NutritionInformation","calories":"680 calories","carbohydrateContent":"58 g","proteinContent":"42 g","fatContent":"30 g","saturatedFatContent":"11 g","cholesterolContent":"175 mg","sodiumContent":"720 mg","sugarContent":"8 g","servingSize":"1 serving"},"recipeIngredient":["500g boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces","300g penne pasta","2 tbsp olive oil","1 large red onion, finely diced","2 red bell peppers, deseeded and sliced","3 cloves garlic, minced","2 tbsp Peri-Peri seasoning (or paprika, cayenne and oregano mix)","400g canned chopped tomatoes","200ml chicken stock","125ml single cream","100g baby spinach","50g grated Parmesan cheese","Fresh coriander for garnish, chopped","Salt and black pepper to taste","1 lemon, cut into wedges (for serving)"],"recipeInstructions":[{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Cook pasta","text":"Begin by bringing a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente (typically 8-10 minutes). When done, drain but reserve about 100ml of the pasta cooking water for later use."},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Season chicken","text":"While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon of the Peri-Peri seasoning, ensuring each piece is well coated."},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Cook chicken","text":"Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown on all sides and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside."},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Cook vegetables","text":"In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the diced onion and sliced red peppers, cooking for about 5 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it."},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Make sauce","text":"Sprinkle the remaining tablespoon of Peri-Peri seasoning over the vegetables and stir to coat them evenly. Pour in the canned tomatoes and chicken stock, then bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce begins to thicken slightly."},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Add cream and chicken","text":"Reduce the heat to low and stir in the single cream. Return the cooked chicken to the pan and add the spinach, stirring until the spinach wilts into the sauce, which should take about 2 minutes."},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Combine with pasta","text":"Add the drained pasta to the pan with the sauce and chicken, tossing everything together to ensure the pasta is well coated. If the sauce seems too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach your desired consistency."},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Garnish and serve","text":"Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Just before serving, sprinkle with the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh coriander. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the pasta for a fresh, zingy finish."}],"aggregateRating":{"@type":"AggregateRating","ratingValue":5,"bestRating":5,"worstRating":1,"ratingCount":1},"review":[{"@type":"Review","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Peter Martin"},"datePublished":"2024-04-22","reviewBody":"This recreation nails the signature taste profile with accessible ingredients and straightforward technique.","name":"Chef's Rating","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":5,"bestRating":5,"worstRating":1}}],"url":"https://www.grittychef.com/recipes/nandos-chicken-pasta-recipe","@id":"https://www.grittychef.com/recipes/nandos-chicken-pasta-recipe#recipe","image":["https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/681798de2b10b43b9458e123/6987683b184ce3278e8c266b_Phoenix_10_Image_Description_A_vibrant_bowl_of_Nandosinspired_0.jpeg"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"GrittyChef","url":"https://www.grittychef.com","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/68179523ed0aeea15c49bade/690376118ebfd7be919eabab_gritty-chef-logo.png"}},"dateModified":"2026-03-26"}
SCHEMA||{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"What ingredients are used in Peri-Peri Chicken Pasta?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Key ingredients include chicken thighs, penne pasta, red onion, bell peppers, garlic, Peri-Peri seasoning, chopped tomatoes, chicken stock, single cream, baby spinach and Parmesan cheese. Fresh coriander and lemon wedges add a flavourful finish."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How to cook Peri-Peri Chicken Pasta at home?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Learn how to cook Peri-Peri Chicken Pasta by first seasoning and cooking chicken thighs, then sautΓ©ing vegetables with Peri-Peri spice. Create a rich sauce with tomatoes, stock and cream, combine with cooked pasta and finish with fresh herbs and Parmesan for an authentic spicy pasta dish with Portuguese-African flavours."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can I make Peri-Peri Chicken Pasta less spicy for children or those who prefer milder food?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Absolutely! Simply reduce the amount of Peri-Peri seasoning or substitute with a milder paprika. You can also serve the dish with extra cream on the side, which helps counteract the heat while maintaining the dish's signature flavours."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What's the best way to store and reheat leftover spicy chicken pasta dishes?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of cream or water to prevent dryness, and warm gently on the hob or in a microwave. The flavours often develop nicely overnight for an even tastier second serving."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is there a vegetarian alternative for this Portuguese-inspired pasta recipe?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes! Replace chicken with roasted aubergine or firm tofu seasoned with the same Peri-Peri spice mix. Add extra vegetables like mushrooms or courgettes for texture. Use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock for a delicious vegetarian version with all the same bold flavours."}}]}