What To Serve With Piri Piri Chicken: 11 Easy Sides

Thinking about cooking up some piri piri chicken for dinner tonight, but not sure which side dishes and accompaniments would work best? 

If so, I’ve got you covered! Here are 11 easy options that will be a big hit with the whole family… 

Sweet potato mash 

Sweet potatoes are a great source of fibre and antioxidants, making them a good choice if you’re trying to eat a little healthier. 

Creamy sweet potato mash, made with a little milk or butter, is the perfect side dish for piri piri chicken.  

Copycat macho peas 

If you’ve ever ordered a side dish of macho peas at Nando’s, you’ll know that it’s a wonderful choice for adding a little extra kick of spice whilst also getting some veggies into your meal. 

It’s super easy to make your own version at home. Simply cook your peas, and add a little butter, fresh mint, and chopped chilli. Chilli flakes will work fine if you don’t have any fresh available. 

Actifry chips 

You can’t beat a portion of homemade chips.

I make mine in the Actifry and usually add a small drizzle of oil, and some seasonings. Try some garlic and paprika to go with your piri piri chicken. 

Creamy coleslaw 

The coolness of coleslaw makes it a wonderful side dish for piri piri chicken, and it’s easy to make your own. 

Just chop up onion, carrots, and cabbage, and mix together with some mayonnaise and a squeeze of lemon juice. If you’re trying to cut down on the calories, you can use some plain natural yoghurt instead of the mayonnaise. 

Salad 

A lovely side salad is a simple but delicious side dish for piri piri chicken. 

In Portugal, you’ll often find that chicken is served with a straightforward combination of lettuce, tomato, and onions.

Of course though, you can get as creative as you like. Add cucumber, radish, mangetout, sweetcorn, spring onion, and a light, lemony dressing. 

Need some more inspiration? Check out these healthy salad recipes. 

Cous cous

Though cous cous looks like a grain, it’s technically a pasta. Cous cous is a healthy and nutritious option, and if you choose a wholegrain variety you’ll also get a decent serving of fibre. 

It’s easy to prepare too, and you’ll usually just need to pour boiling water over the cous cous and leave to soak for 5-10 minutes. To add some extra taste and texture, you can throw in some chopped veggies such as onion and pepper, and sprinkle over a touch of fresh chopped mint. 

Corn on the cob 

Buttery corn on the cob is a delicious option when you’re not sure what to serve with piri piri chicken. 

Wrap your cobs in foil with a little butter, salt, garlic, and parsley, and bake in the oven at 180 degrees for around 30-35 minutes. 

Alternatively, fire up the barbecue. It’ll take the flavour of both your chicken and your side dishes to a whole new level. 

Ratatouille 

Ratatouille is a steamed vegetable dish, usually served in a tomato sauce made with onions and garlic, and another decent option for what to serve with piri piri chicken. 

It’s also a good way to use up any vegetables that you have leftover in the fridge, including peppers, aubergine, and courgette. 

Spicy rice 

You can buy plenty of pre-prepared spicy rices in the supermarket, though it’s really easy to make your own using rice, veggies, and spices such as turmeric and paprika. 

Consider making a big batch to serve with your piri piri chicken, and use your leftovers for lunchboxes. You do need to be mindful though that reheating rice can be problematic, and you need to take some precautions against food poisoning.

Check out these tips for safely reheating rice. 

Garlic bread 

Garlic bread is a popular choice when it comes to what to serve with piri piri chicken, especially if you love a lot of flavour in your meals. 

You could even make your own garlic flatbreads and use them like a pitta to wrap up your chicken, alongside some salad vegetables. 

Grilled halloumi 

Halloumi is a great source of calcium, and it also contains zinc, magnesium, vitamin A, and several of the B vitamins. 

This is another option that’s best served simply. Drizzle with a little olive oil, season, and grill. 

Have you tried my piri piri chicken recipe? 

My piri piri chicken recipe involves marinading chunks of thigh or breast, and threading on to skewers with cherry tomatoes, onion, and peppers. The kebabs are then baked in the oven to ensure they’re super moist and tender. 

If you try this recipe, let me know what you think!

I love hearing your feedback and seeing pictures of your creations. 

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