Best Portuguese Chicken Recipes

HOMEMADE PORTUGUESE CHICKEN

Steps:

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

TRADITIONAL PORTUGUESE PIRI PIRI SAUCE FOR CHICKEN

Steps:

• Add all ingredients to a bowl and whisk together.
• Brush on chicken before barbecuing (or baking in oven @ 350 °F for 1.25 hours WITHOUT opening the door during during entire cooking process.) It helps the flavour if you marinate the chicken for a few hours prior to cooking!

PORTUGUESE ROASTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place chicken on cutting board, breast-side down. Use a pair of poultry shears or heavy-duty kitchen scissors to cut along either side of the bird's backbone; remove. Turn the chicken over; use palms to press on breast bones to flatten the chicken. Using a sharp, heavy knife, cut the chicken between breast halves. The chicken will be in 2, flat pieces.
• Place an ovenproof cooling rack on a large rimmed baking sheet. In a small bowl, mix together the lemon juice, garlic, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper, and pimento paste, then rub over the chicken. Transfer the chicken to a rack, then pour 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1/2 cup wine over the chicken. Roast 30 minutes; turn the chicken over and pour the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and 1/2 cup wine over the chicken. Roast the chicken until golden, moist, and opaque throughout, about 30 minutes.

PORTUGUESE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk 1 cup flour, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper in large bowl. Add chicken pieces to seasoned flour, 1 at a time, and turn to coat. Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, skin side down, and sauté until brown, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to plate; reserve skillet.
• Arrange chicken in single layer in large ovenproof pot. Top with tomatoes and juice, prosciutto, onions, peppers, garlic, parsley, and bay leaves; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon paprika. Add wine and Port to reserved skillet. Bring to boil, scraping up browned bits. Remove from heat. Whisk in mustard and tomato paste; pour mixture over chicken and bring to boil. Cover; transfer to oven.
• Braise chicken until very tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Discard bay leaves and parsley. Using tongs, transfer chicken and toppings to platter. Return sauce in pot to simmer. If thicker sauce is desired, stir 1 tablespoon flour and butter in small bowl until smooth paste forms. Add flour paste to sauce and whisk to blend. Simmer until sauce thickens to desired consistency, whisking often. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon over chicken and serve.

PORTUGUESE ONE POT CHICKEN AND POTATOES

Steps:

• Sprinkle the chicken liberally with salt and pepper. Combine the flour and paprika in a large bowl, and then toss the chicken in the mixture to coat, shaking off the excess. Heat 3 tablespoons EVOO in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken, then remove to a large plate and add the remaining 1 tablespoon EVOO to the pot. Add the chorizo and cook until browned; remove with the slotted spoon and add to the plate with the chicken. Add the potatoes, thyme, garlic, celery, bay leaf, chile peppers and onions to the pot, partially cover and cook until softened, 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Deglaze with the sherry, stirring and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. Stir in the stock, lemon and orange zests and tomatoes. Slide the chorizo and chicken back into the pot and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Ladle the stew into shallow bowls. Sprinkle with the parsley and serve with the rolls for mopping up the sauce. Cook's Note: The stew can be covered and refrigerated for a make-ahead meal. Reheat over medium heat.

PORTUGUESE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place potatoes, carrots, celery and onion in a pot. Pour in wine, add sugar, salt, and oil. Add 2 cups of chicken broth. Cover pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.
• While vegetables cook, brown chorizo in a small nonstick skillet over medium high heat.
• If your leftover chicken was frozen, defrost in microwave. If the leftovers were refrigerated, continue with recipe method as below.
• Remove the cover from the vegetables and add chorizo to the vegetables. Stir in tomato sauce. Set cooked chicken into the pot and heat through, 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning. Ladle Portuguese Chicken into shallow bowls and garnish with parsley. Serve with crusty bread for dipping.

CANJA (PORTUGUESE CHICKEN SOUP)

Steps:

• 1. In a large pot, boil your chicken breast over med/high heat. Once chicken is just about done, remove from water and shred with a fork. Add the poultry seasoning to your pot. Place the chicken back in.
• 2. Saute your onion & garlic in olive oil until onion is translucent. Cook over medium heat, being careful not to burn your garlic.
• 3. Add the onion & garlic mixture, along with your rice to the pot and allow to cook until rice is expanded and tender.
• 4. Add salt & pepper to taste. Add juice of half a lemon. Serve & enjoy!

NANA'S PORTUGUESE ROAST CHICKEN AND POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Pour water into a roasting pan. Add vinegar to taste. The water should have just a hint of vinegary taste. Sprinkle paprika over the water and mix, removing the lumps. Add salt, pepper, onion, tomato, parsley and potatoes. Before cooking add chorizo. Bake for 2 hours. Do not cover potatoes because they will steam and not roast. The potatoes will have a nice red color when they are done.
• Note: Both recipes can be cooked simultaneously in the same oven.
• (all measurements are approximate) .
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. This recipe is made in a ceramic cooker. To prepare the cooker, soak the cover for 15 minutes, and spray the bottom with any non-stick coating. Mix first 5 ingredients, set aside. Wash the chicken and pat it dry. Put chicken in cooker and pour salad dressing mixture on top, then use hands to rub it all over the chicken skin. Lightly sprinkle entire chicken with paprika (a pinch or so), then sprinkle a pinch or so of the dry Italian seasoning on top as well. Cover and cook at 375 degrees for 2 hours. About 1 to 1 1/2 hours into the cooking time, check the chicken. If there is liquid half-way up the chicken or more, drain all of the liquid so that the chicken is dry enough to roast, then continue cooking. If it's not halfway up the chicken, just leave whatever juices are in there and continue cooking.

HILDA'S PORTUGUESE STEWED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Season the flour with Essence. Toss the chicken in the seasoned flour.
• Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron skillet, over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the chicken and sear until golden brown on all sides, about 4 to 6 minutes on each side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. Add the chorizo to the skillet and cook until browned on both sides.
• Add the onions, potatoes, and peppers. Cook the vegetables for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add the tomatoes, shallots, garlic cloves, and olives. Season the vegetables with Essence. Stir in the white wine, chicken broth, and parsley and return the browned chicken to the skillet.
• Bring the liquid up to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cover and simmer the chicken and vegetables for about 45 minutes or until the chicken falls off the bone.
• Add the crushed red pepper flakes and green onions. Adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper.
• Mound the rice in the center of the bowl. Arrange the stewed chicken around the rice. Garnish with freshly grated cheese, chives and Essence. Always serve with crusty bread.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, published by William and Morrow, 1993.

PORTUGUESE CHICKEN SOUP (CANJA)

Steps:

• Combine the chicken stock, chicken pieces, onion, parsley, and lemon zest in a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer covered until the chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes.
• Remove the chicken pieces and cool enough to handle. Remove and discard the skin and bones and cut or tear the meat into small pieces.
• Strain the soup through cheesecloth (muslin) and discard the solids. Return the stock and meat to the pot and add the rice, mint, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook until the rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
• Garnish with lemon slices and mint leaves.

PORTUGUESE PIRI PIRI CHICKEN LIVERS

Steps:

• Saute the chopped onion and crushed garlic in olive oil in a large pan.
• Add all ingredients except the wine & chicken livers.
• Add Chicken livers and fry over medium heat until browned.
• Add the white wine and simmer on gentle heat until done.
• Serve with rice or bread.

PORTUGUESE BARBECUED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine wine, lemon rind, and juice, tomato paste, oil, paprika, hot pepper sauce, salt, and garlic; pour over chicken, turning to coat.
• Cover or bag and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or for up to 24 hours, turning occasionally.
• Place chicken on greased grill over medium heat; skin side down for 10 minutes.
• Turn and cook, brushing with marinade an additional 30-40 minutes or until juices run clear when chicken is pierced.

CHICKEN, BACON AND WHITE BEAN SOUP PORTUGUESE STYLE

Steps:

• Put the beans into a large pot.
• Add water to cover by 2 inches and soak for at least 8 hours or overnight.
• Then drain.
• Fry the bacon in a heavy stockpot over medium-high heat until crisp, about 7 minutes.
• Use a slotted spoon to lift onto paper towels to drain.
• Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat from the pot.
• Add the onions and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 4 minutes.
• Add the shallots, garlic, bay leaves, salt and cayenne.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots soften, about 1 minute.
• Add the beans to the pot with the stock, and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Stir in the chicken and the reserved bacon and heat through.
• Remove and discard bay leaves.
• Ladle into warm bowls and sprinkle with the grated cheese.

PORTUGUESE PIRI PIRI CHICKEN

Steps:

• In large glass bowl, combine all ingredients except chicken; mix well.
• Add chicken, turning to coat.
• Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours, turning occasionally; can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours if you want to make it ahead.
• Reserving marinade, place chicken, skin side down, on a greased grill over medium heat; close lid and cook for 10 minutes.
• Turn and brush with marinade; cook for 30 to 40 minutes or until juices run clear when chicken is pierced.
• For a less spicy version, replace above marinade with Portuguese Paprika Marinade: 1/3 cup dry white wine, 1 tsp grated lemon rind, 3 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp hot pepper sauce, and 2 cloves of garlic, minced.

MACAU-STYLE PORTUGUESE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine the first 7 ingredients; rub over chicken. Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour or overnight. Meanwhile, place potato in a small saucepan; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, until just tender, 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside., In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown chicken on both sides; remove and set aside. Reserve 5 slices chorizo for topping. In the same pan, cook and stir remaining chorizo, tomato paste, garlic and bay leaves for 1 minute. Add onion, green pepper and tomato; cook and stir until tender, 3-5 minutes., Stir in coconut milk, broth, cooked potato, 8 olives and reserved chicken. Mix cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into cooking juices. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Preheat broiler., Transfer chicken mixture to a 13x9 baking pan, place egg, reserved chorizo and remaining 4 olives over top; sprinkle with coconut. Broil 3-4 in. from heat until coconut is toasted, 7-10 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Serve curry with rice.

PORTUGUESE PIRI-PIRI CHICKEN AZOREAN STYLE

Steps:

• In large glass bowl, combine all Marinade ingredients; mix well. Add to chicken, turning to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours, turning occasionally; can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours if you want to make it ahead. Reserving marinade, place chicken, skin side down, on a greased grill over medium heat; close lid and cook for 10 minutes. Turn and brush with marinade; cook for 30 to 40 minutes or until juices run clear when chicken is pierced. Enjoy with a nice glass of Vinho Verde. Saúde!

PORTUGUESE BLACK BEAN CHICKEN STEW

Steps:

• Soak beans overnight in water.
• The beans will double in volume.
• Discard water and fill with new water to same level.
• Add onion, garlic and cumin, simmer beans for one hour or until liquid is mostly absorbed and beans are semi soft.
• If all liquid evaporates before beans are cooked add water (at least 1/2 inch above beans).
• Add red pepper, okra and tomatoes and continue to simmer for 15 minutes.
• Finally; add sliced chicken, scallions, basil and cilantro.
• Pull off heat and let chicken braise in the stew without any heat for approximately 10 minutes.
• Serve when chicken is cooked and tender.

PORTUGUESE-STYLE PORK CHOPS (OR CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Prepare Portuguese-Style Paste (see recipe I posted).
• Place pork chops in a shallow glass dish and rub pepper paste over both sides.
• Pour wine over the chops.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least six hours or overnight, turning once or twice.
• Drain marinade into a small saucepan.
• Add oil and bring to a simmer.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until slighly thickened, about 15 minutes.
• Stir in pepper and salt.
• Measure out 1/4 cup sauce for basting.
• Keep remainder warm.
• Meanwhile, heat grill to medium-high.
• Lightly oil grill rack.
• Place the chops on the grill.
• Cook, basting occasionally with pepper sauce, until browned and just cooked through, 2 to 2 1/2 minutes per side for 1/2 inch thick chops.
• Serve immediately, passing remaining pepper sauce separately.
• Variation: Substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts or skinned bone-in chicken for pork chops.
• Allow 4-6 minutes per side for boneless breasts, 20 to 30 minutes for bone-in pieces.
• Serves 6.

PORTUGUESE CHICKEN AND SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Place potatoes, carrots, celery and onion in a pot. Add wine, sugar, salt, oil and chicken broth. cover the pot and bring to a boil. reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
• While the veggies cook, brown the chorizo in a nonstick skillet over med-high heat.
• Uncover the veggies and add in the chorizo and the tomato sauce. Set cooked chicken into the pot and heat through for 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste. ladle the Portuguese Chicken into shallow bowls, garnish with parsley and serve with the crusty bread for dipping.

PORTUGUESE CHICKEN, LEMON AND MINT SOUP

Steps:

• Combine the chicken, celery, onion, garlic, parsley, lemon zest, mint sprigs, red pepper flakes and water or broth in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and skim off any foam. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer, skimming as needed, 45 minutes, or until the chicken is tender.
• Strain the stock through a fine sieve into a large bowl. Transfer the chicken to a plate to cool and discard the vegetable mixture. Return the stock to the saucepan over medium-low heat and simmer until it is slightly reduced and flavorful, about 30 minutes. Add the rice and simmer until tender, about 20 more minutes.
• When the chicken is cool enough to handle, remove the skin, then remove the meat from the bones and tear it into bite-size pieces. Add to the stock and cook 3 to 4 minutes. Add the lemon juice, chopped mint, and salt and cayenne pepper to taste; cook 2 to 3 more minutes.