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Piri Piri Spiced Chicken Drumsticks

August 4, 2014 By Lena

It’s the long weekend, so of course we’ve been barbecuing.

This time around, my husband challenged me to find an award-winning recipe for a spicy, fragrant piri piri spice mix to coat our Maple Leaf Prime Naturally Chicken Drumsticks. Well, it turns out it wasn’t such a challenge – a quick Google search produced only a few spice mix recipes, so the field to choose from was quite narrow. Let’s just pretend this one’s award-winning, shall we?

Piri Piri Spice MixThanks to the good folks at Foodmania, I loosely followed the instructions for their Piri Piri mix. Now if you didn’t know, Piri Piri (a Swahili word that means “pepper pepper”) is one of the hottest flavour trends! Reminiscent of the famous sauce from Portugal, its rich and unique blend of warm earthy spices, herbs and vegetables brings a spicy, tangy character to chicken and fish dishes. Here’s what you’ll need:

16 Maple Leaf Prime Naturally Chicken Drumsticks
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cardamon
½ teaspoon powdered sugar
½ teaspoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 teaspoons ground cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon chili pepper flakes
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 tablespoons olive oil

You can (and should) taper the cayenne pepper to suit your taste. Also, if you can find packaged dried lemon peel (I’ve only found it in the US), or you have some homemade dried lemon peel on hand, you should absolutely add 1/2 teaspoon to the spice mix. Otherwise, simply hit your cooked Piri Piri chicken with a generous splash of fresh lemon juice before serving.

Mix all the spice mix ingredients together in a medium bowl. This recipes yields about 1/4 cup, so, remove one heaping tablespoon and store the rest in an air-tight container. If you love the mix, next time, double the spices and store in the fridge for up to two months.

In a large zipper-style bag, add drumsticks, olive oil and spice mix. Close, and toss to coat. Adjust amount of seasoning depending on how intense you’d like the flavour to be. Refrigerate for up to 12 hours, but no less than two.

Barbecue over medium, indirect heat for approximately 30-35 minutes, turning frequently. Enjoy!

Filed Under: Food Tagged With: barbecued chicken drumsticks, Maple Leaf Prime Chicken, Piri Piri spice mix recipe

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    August 4, 2014 at 9:38 am

    I know piri piri well I even use it when i make homemade baked fries. yummy recipe!

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 10:01 am

      Oooh…. on fries?? Mind blown. Definitely trying that!

  2. Judy Cowan

    August 4, 2014 at 11:37 am

    I had never heard of this before….definitely going to be trying it out on some chicken this week!

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 12:05 pm

      Please do Judy! You can also cheat and buy the Club House or PC Piri Piri (or Peri Peri) spice – they’re both very good and super easy!

  3. marissa

    August 4, 2014 at 12:21 pm

    Looks delicious! I love spice mixes that are made from scratch – they have so much more flavour. Can’t wait to try this one and thanks for the recipe Lena!

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 12:24 pm

      You’re welcome Marissa! And you’re right – it’s always better from scratch!

  4. Yuen C

    August 4, 2014 at 12:23 pm

    Looks delicious!

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 12:24 pm

      Thanks Yuen – give it a try!

  5. MrDisco

    August 4, 2014 at 3:05 pm

    i’m not much of a leg man, but those look pretty good

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 8:21 pm

      We might have to convert you :)

  6. Anne Taylor

    August 4, 2014 at 3:10 pm

    Wow, I’ve never seen a better looking drumstick!! They look absolutely delish!

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 8:21 pm

      Thanks Anne! They were scrumptious!

  7. Flora M

    August 4, 2014 at 3:22 pm

    That sounds and looks delicious. I would definitely be one of the ones to tone down the cayenne and the chili flakes though ;)

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 8:25 pm

      You can definitely do that, and even omit it altogether if you wish!

  8. Suzie M

    August 4, 2014 at 3:25 pm

    I had never heard of this but it sounds delish

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 8:33 pm

      Please do try it Suzie!

  9. BobbiJo Pentney

    August 4, 2014 at 4:55 pm

    Thanks Lena, I always enjoy trying new recipes.

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 8:33 pm

      You’re welcome BobbiJo!

  10. Holly

    August 4, 2014 at 5:23 pm

    Yum! We eat a lot of chicken in my house, so I’m always looking for new recipes! This looks & sounds delicious!

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 8:34 pm

      Enjoy Holly!

  11. Heidi C.

    August 5, 2014 at 12:37 am

    What a fun combination of spices! I can’t wait to try this!

    • Lena

      August 12, 2014 at 10:06 am

      Fab! Let me know what you think!!

  12. Amy Lovell

    August 5, 2014 at 8:58 am

    Yum,! Def gonna try this!! WE’ve been in a funk for chicken lately, this will def spice things up! LOL

    • Lena

      August 12, 2014 at 10:06 am

      We ALL get in chicken funks! Let me know what you think!

  13. JaimeeM

    August 5, 2014 at 10:33 am

    The picture had me sold on this recipe right away. Yes. yes. yes.

    • Lena

      August 12, 2014 at 10:07 am

      Yay! My husband took the photo with my iPhone. I’ll compliment him on his photography skills!

  14. Tricha

    August 5, 2014 at 12:50 pm

    Mmmm, this sounds yummy! I like all the spices in the ingredients. I remember buying the PC brand Piri Piri spice blend ( I wonder if it expired).

    • Lena

      August 12, 2014 at 10:08 am

      I used to use the PC brand too but I find it loses flavour way too quickly, even in an airtight container!

  15. nicky

    August 5, 2014 at 1:18 pm

    thanks for the recipe – looks sooo delish!

    • Lena

      August 12, 2014 at 10:08 am

      Thanks Nicky!!

  16. Maggie C

    August 5, 2014 at 1:56 pm

    This looks good. Perfect with brown rice!

    • Lena

      August 12, 2014 at 10:43 am

      Oh, I never thought about serving it with brown rice! Thanks for the tip!

  17. Yuen C

    August 5, 2014 at 10:58 pm

    Looks so delicious!

    • Lena

      August 12, 2014 at 10:43 am

      Thanks Yuen!

  18. Darlene Schuller

    August 6, 2014 at 7:47 am

    Oh this makes my hungry..looks absolutely amazing. I’m going to give it a try as chicken is just so versatile and this is different for us! Thanks beautiful!

    • Lena

      August 12, 2014 at 10:44 am

      You are very welcome! Please do try it!

  19. Florence C

    August 6, 2014 at 9:26 am

    I booked marked the recipe. I will try this when I have drumsticks again. Thank you for posting.

    • Lena

      August 12, 2014 at 10:45 am

      My boys love drumsticks because you can eat them with your hands :)

  20. Rick F

    August 6, 2014 at 12:03 pm

    I am definitely trying this.

    • Lena

      August 12, 2014 at 10:46 am

      Awesome Rick!

      • Rick F

        October 9, 2014 at 9:39 pm

        These were really, really good. Would definitely make these again. I know what you mean by cutting back on the cayenne!! Holy Hotness, Batman!!!

        • Lena

          October 9, 2014 at 9:59 pm

          Thanks so much for letting me know you tried them, Rick!!

  21. MrDisco

    August 6, 2014 at 3:48 pm

    Just add beer and serve

    • Lena

      August 12, 2014 at 10:46 am

      Yup, the only way to enjoy BBQ!

  22. Victoria Ess

    August 7, 2014 at 10:32 am

    That spice mix sounds delicious! I love piri piri chicken and am so excited about this recipe! Thanks for sharing!

    • Lena

      August 12, 2014 at 10:46 am

      Anytime Victoria, enjoy!!

  23. Melinda L.

    August 11, 2014 at 12:12 pm

    Oooo I love trying different spice mixes on my chicken. So going to try this.

    • Lena

      August 12, 2014 at 10:47 am

      Let me know what you think Melinda :)

  24. Jeff Skidmore

    August 15, 2014 at 6:13 am

    Tried your recipe on the weekend and it was a big crowd pleaser! Thanks for sharing it!!

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 5:27 pm

      Awesome!! So happy you liked it!

  25. Rosanne Robinson

    August 17, 2014 at 1:21 pm

    I have to try this recipe, it sounds amazing!

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 5:27 pm

      Please do Rosanne!

  26. Michelle

    August 18, 2014 at 1:04 pm

    I love love piri piri spiced chicken yum,thanks for the great recipe..

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 5:27 pm

      Anytime Michelle!

  27. Athena

    August 18, 2014 at 9:07 pm

    I may have to give this a try!

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 5:27 pm

      You definitely should!

  28. Nicole

    August 21, 2014 at 10:00 pm

    Mmm I want to try making these !

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 5:27 pm

      Let me know what you think!

  29. mongupp

    August 26, 2014 at 5:44 pm

    the spice combination sounds divine and i love the name, piri piri. it’s so cute!

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 5:28 pm

      Hahaha yes it is!

  30. Deana

    August 26, 2014 at 7:31 pm

    This sounds delicious! I will definitely have to try!

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 5:28 pm

      Please do Deana!

  31. Treen Goodwin

    August 27, 2014 at 10:49 am

    wow look to die for , never tried piri piri chicken before but sounds delish a must try , thanks for sharing :)

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 5:28 pm

      Try it Treen!

  32. Rick F

    August 28, 2014 at 2:50 pm

    Lena, I’m making this tonight. Regarding the dried lemon peel, I bought some at Bulk Barn.

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 5:28 pm

      Thanks for the tip Rick!!

  33. seham merzib

    August 30, 2014 at 11:15 am

    sounds delicious, bookmarking this recipe

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 5:28 pm

      Thanks!

  34. Peter T.

    September 20, 2014 at 10:02 pm

    These look so good! I have to ask my wife to make these for me!

    • Lena

      October 15, 2014 at 7:09 am

      I’m sure you’ll love them!

  35. Robert Wise

    October 14, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Thanks for the recipe. Having some friends over on Saturday; it’s still warm enough to BBQ. Think this would turn out awesome.

    • Lena

      October 15, 2014 at 7:09 am

      I think it would too! Enjoy, Robert!

  36. La Cuisine d'Helene

    October 27, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    Oh my these look good, I’ll make them for my son while he watches the hockey game.

  37. Debbie Bashford

    December 28, 2015 at 5:53 am

    That spice mix sounds really yummy!

  38. kathy downey

    January 28, 2017 at 1:00 pm

    This Chicken looks delicious,thanks for sharing the recipe.

  39. Debbie White Beattie

    July 15, 2018 at 5:23 am

    I’ve never heard of Piri Piri before but I love the ingredients you used and it looks delicious

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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