Looking for a bold, flavorful, and healthy meal that feels like restaurant-quality at home? This Peri-Avo Butterfly Chicken is a spicy and satisfying dish — inspired by Nando’s famous version — featuring juicy grilled chicken smothered in creamy peri-peri sauce, topped with zesty avocado salsa, and served with crispy sweet potato fries.
Whether you’re meal-prepping or hosting, this dish never disappoints.
🔥 What Is Peri-Avo Butterfly Chicken?
“Peri-Avo” is short for Peri-Peri Chicken with Avocado topping — a fiery and creamy combo. The chicken is butterflied and grilled, then topped with guacamole-like avocado salad. The sides? Sweet potato fries and a squeeze of grilled lime — a must-try twist on classic chicken dinners.
Peri-Avo Butterfly Chicken
Ingredients
For the Peri-Peri Chicken
- 2 boneless chicken breasts butterflied
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp chili flakes or fresh red chilies
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 3 tbsp peri-peri sauce store-bought or homemade
For the Avocado Salsa:
- 1 ripe avocado mashed/chunky
- 6 cherry tomatoes chopped
- 1 small red onion finely diced
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp pomegranate seeds
- 1 tsp mixed seeds sunflower, pumpkin – optional
For the Sweet Potato Fries:
- 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled, cut into fries
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Prep the Chicken
- Butterfly the chicken breasts and pound lightly for even thickness.
- In a bowl, mix oil, lemon juice, garlic, paprika, chili flakes, salt & pepper.
- Marinate chicken for 30 minutes or overnight for extra flavor.
Grillthe Chicken:
- Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
- Grill each side for 5–6 minutes or until fully cooked.
- Brush peri-peri sauce generously on top while hot.
Makethe Avocado Salsa:
- Mix avocado, tomatoes, onion, lime juice, and cilantro.
- Season with salt & pepper.
- Top with pomegranate seeds and mixed seeds for crunch.
Bakethe Fries:
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Toss sweet potato fries with oil, cornstarch, paprika, and salt.
- Spread on a lined baking tray and bake for 25–30 mins, flipping halfway, until crispy.
Assemble:
- Plate the chicken with avocado salsa on top.
- Add sweet potato fries on the side.
- Serve with grilled or fresh lime wedges.
Notes
- Use an air fryer for extra crispy fries!
- Swap sweet potato fries with seasoned potato wedges or a light salad.
- For extra heat, add hot peri-peri drizzle before serving.
💡 Recommended Products for This Recipe
Cast Iron Grill Pan
This stovetop grill pan gives perfect char lines and smoky flavor — great for peri peri chicken when you’re not using an outdoor grill.
🛒 Buy on AmazonStainless Steel Citrus Squeezer
Extracts every drop of lemon or lime juice — no seeds, no mess. Perfect for marinades.
🛒 Buy on AmazonAvocado Masher Tool
Mash avocados effortlessly for creamy, smooth toppings — no fuss, no mess.
🛒 Buy on AmazonSweet Potato Fry Cutter
Make perfectly shaped fries quickly and easily — saves prep time and effort.
🛒 Buy on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting SweetString! 💕
Absolutely delicious! The peri-peri spice with the creamy avocado salsa is a perfect combo. Loved the juicy chicken and the sweet potato fries—definitely making this again!