Brazilian Cuisine
Lime, Garlic and Pepper Chicken
Baked chicken thighs or drumsticks infused with a vibrant citrus marinade, this recipe is a simple home dinner carrying a distinctly Brazilian soul. The secret lies in the refreshing combination of fresh lime juice, abundance of garlic, and a spicy kick of pepper that deeply penetrates the meat, ensuring it stays incredibly juicy and tender. During baking, the marinade caramelizes, creating a beautifully browned, aromatic skin with tropical freshness. It requires minimal active preparation and delivers fantastic results every single time.
Dishday
Recipe overview
- Total time
- 55 min
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cooking
- 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cuisine
- Brazilian Cuisine
Nutrition
per serving
- Calories
- 420 kcal
- Protein
- 34 g
- Fat
- 28 g
- Carbs
- 5 g
- Fiber
- 1 g
Step by step
Method
- 01
Rinse the chicken thighs or drumsticks under cold water and p…
Rinse the chicken thighs or drumsticks under cold water and pat them completely dry with paper towels.
- 02
Squeeze the juice from the limes, finely mince the garlic clo…
Squeeze the juice from the limes, finely mince the garlic cloves, and thinly slice the fresh chili pepper.
- 03
In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, minced garlic…
In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, minced garlic, chili, olive oil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- 04
Place the chicken in a large bowl, pour the marinade over it,…
Place the chicken in a large bowl, pour the marinade over it, and massage well to coat every piece evenly.
- 05
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minut…
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally overnight, to let the flavors infuse.
- 06
Preheat your oven to 200°C, arrange the marinated chicken pie…
Preheat your oven to 200°C, arrange the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer in a baking dish, and pour the remaining juices over them.
- 07
Bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes until the skin t…
Bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes until the skin turns golden-brown and the juices run clear when pierced.
Dishday
Useful advice
Cooking tip
For maximum flavor, marinate the chicken ahead of time, ideally leaving it in the fridge overnight. If you wish to reduce the calories, you can remove the skin from the chicken before marinating.
How to serve
Serve the baked chicken hot alongside a side of fluffy white rice, fresh vegetables, or roasted potatoes. Garnish generously with fresh cilantro sprigs.
How to store
Keep leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
Note
You can easily adjust the spiciness: remove the seeds and ribs from the chili pepper for a milder flavor profile.
