Piri-Piri Chicken with Smashed Sweet Potatoes and Roasted Broccoli Recipe
Introduction
This Piri-piri chicken with smashed sweet potatoes and broccoli is a vibrant, flavorful dish perfect for a cozy dinner. The spicy chicken pairs beautifully with the soft, seasoned sweet potatoes and tender broccoli, all roasted together for fuss-free cooking.
Ingredients
- 3 large sweet potatoes (about 900g), peeled and cut into large chunks
- Oil, for drizzling
- 6-8 chicken thighs, skin left on
- 2 red onions, cut into wedges
- 25g sachet piri-piri spice mix (or a mild version, if preferred)
- 300g long-stem broccoli
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan/gas mark 4). Toss the sweet potato chunks with a generous drizzle of oil and some seasoning. Place them at one end of a very large roasting tin.
- Step 2: At the other end of the tin, toss the chicken thighs, red onion wedges, piri-piri spice mix, a drizzle of oil, and some seasoning together. Roast everything for 40 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Step 3: After 40 minutes, add the broccoli to the roasting tin. Drizzle with a little oil and season lightly, then roast for another 10-15 minutes until the broccoli is tender.
- Step 4: Remove the chicken, onions, and broccoli from the tin. Using a fork, roughly mash the sweet potatoes in the tin, mixing in all the chicken juices and spices left in the pan for extra flavor.
- Step 5: Spread the mashed sweet potatoes evenly over the base of the roasting tin. Arrange the broccoli, chicken, and onions on top and serve straight from the tin in the center of the table.
Tips & Variations
- For a milder dish, use a mild spice mix or reduce the amount of piri-piri seasoning.
- Swap long-stem broccoli with tenderstem broccoli or green beans if preferred.
- Leftover chicken can be shredded and added to salads or wraps for a quick lunch.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until piping hot. The chicken may dry out slightly, so cover it while reheating to retain moisture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, but chicken breasts can dry out more easily during roasting. Keep an eye on cooking time and consider marinating to retain moisture.
Is piri-piri spice very spicy?
Piri-piri spice can vary in heat, but it’s generally moderately spicy. You can adjust the amount or choose a milder blend to suit your taste.
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Piri-Piri Chicken with Smashed Sweet Potatoes and Roasted Broccoli Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Halal
Description
A flavorful and vibrant piri-piri chicken recipe served with smashed sweet potatoes and roasted broccoli. This dish features tender, spicy chicken thighs roasted alongside sweet, fluffy potatoes and crisp-tender broccoli, all combined for a hearty and wholesome meal that’s simple to prepare and perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Sweets Potatoes
- 3 large sweet potatoes (about 900g), peeled and cut into large chunks
- Oil, for drizzling
- Salt and black pepper, to season
Chicken and Vegetables
- 6–8 chicken thighs, skin left on
- 2 red onions, cut into wedges
- 25g sachet piri-piri spice mix (or a mild version, if preferred)
- 300g long-stem broccoli
- Additional oil, for drizzling and roasting
- Salt and black pepper, to season
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 180°C (160°C fan)/gas mark 4 to prepare for roasting.
- Prepare sweet potatoes: In a very large roasting tin, toss the peeled and chunked sweet potatoes with a generous drizzle of oil and seasoning with salt and pepper. Push the potatoes to one end of the tin to make room for the chicken and onions.
- Prepare chicken and onions: In the other end of the roasting tin, combine the chicken thighs with the red onion wedges, piri-piri spice mix, a drizzle of oil, and seasoning. Ensure everything is coated well with the spice mix.
- Roast first phase: Place the roasting tin in the oven and roast for 40 minutes, stirring everything halfway through cooking to ensure even roasting and flavor distribution.
- Add broccoli: After 40 minutes, add the long-stem broccoli to the tin. Drizzle with a little more oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Roast second phase: Return the tin to the oven and roast for another 10-15 minutes, until the broccoli is tender and the chicken is cooked through with crispy skin.
- Remove and mash potatoes: Take the chicken, onions, and broccoli out of the tin. Using a fork, roughly mash the sweet potatoes in the tin, making sure to incorporate all the flavorful chicken juices and spices left in the pan for extra depth.
- Assemble the dish: Spread the mashed sweet potatoes evenly over the base of the roasting tin. Then arrange the cooked broccoli, chicken thighs, and onions on top, creating a colorful and appetizing presentation.
- Serve: Serve the piri-piri chicken with smashed sweet potatoes and broccoli straight from the tin in the middle of the table for a casual and communal dining experience.
Notes
- You can adjust the heat level of the piri-piri spice mix according to your taste preference or use a mild version for less spice.
- Using skin-on chicken thighs adds extra flavor and crispiness; however, you can remove the skin for a leaner option.
- If sweet potatoes are not available, regular potatoes can be substituted, but they will alter the sweetness and texture.
- This recipe is ideal for batch cooking; leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For gluten-free, ensure that the piri-piri spice mix does not contain any gluten ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Portuguese-inspired
Keywords: Piri-piri chicken, smashed sweet potatoes, roasted broccoli, spicy chicken thighs, one-pan meal, oven roasted chicken, Portuguese chicken recipe
