Peri Peri Pizza (Homemade & Nando’s Style)

Peri peri pizza is a fiery fusion that combines the world’s favorite comfort food- Indeed Pizza with the bold, Tangy, And spicy kick off African Portugease peri peri sauce, Popularized globally by Nando’s, Different type of flavor packed become a sensation in Pakistan, India, And around the world

Wether you’re craving resturant style pizza or looking for a homemade peri peri chicken pizza recepie[With or Without an oven] This article covers everything, Ingredients, Step by Step cooking method, Pro tips variations, and FAQs.

❓What is Peri Peri Pizza?

The crust of Peri peri pizza is topped with spicy chicken, melted cheese, fresh vegetables, onions, Capsicum and olives, Then rain with extra of peri peri sauce. The result is a perfect balance of heat, smokiness, and flavor.

🌶️Origin of Peri Peri:

• Peri peri also known as piri piri or pili pili comes from the African bird eye chilli, This african bird’s eye chilli is introduced by Portuguese explosers in africa
• Over the time legendary peri peri sauce become a global favorite

🧠 Flavor Science Corner: Why Peri Peri Feels So Addictive

The irresistible charm of peri peri is pure culinary chemistry.
Capsaicin – the compound in chilies – triggers your brain to release endorphins, giving that satisfying “spicy high.”
Add lemon juice for acidity and garlic for umami depth, and your tongue experiences every taste zone at once. That’s why each bite of peri peri pizza feels fiery, tangy, and unforgettable.

🌍Global Popularity:

• Special Thanks to the Nando’s resturants, In fact peri peri flavors are famous in worldwide. From peri peri fries to peri peri chicken and now peri peri pizza, Most of the chefs are inspired from fiery

🇵🇰🇮🇳 Desi Twist:

• Overall In Pakistan and india, peri peri pizza has become a cafe favorite, Its usually loaded with extra cheese, onions, capsicum, spicy chicken, and extra peri peri drizzle for that desi kick

📝Peri Peri Pizza Recipe:

Ingredients:

🌶️For the Peri Peri Sauce (Homemade or Store-bought)

• 8–10 red chilies
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp vinegar
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• Salt to taste

Reminder: You can also use branded sauces like Nando’s Peri Peri Sauce, National Foods (Pakistan), or Veeba (India).

🍗For the Chicken Marinade:

• 500g boneless chicken
• 3 tbsp peri peri sauce
• 1 tbsp yogurt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• Salt to taste

🍞For the Pizza Dough (Makes 2 Medium Pizzas)

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp instant yeast
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ¾ cup warm water

Reminder:

• Always use ready made pizza bases or nan bread for a 10 minute peri peri pizza

🧀Toppings:

• 1 cup pizza sauce (or ketchup with oregano for a desi touch)
• ½ cup mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup cheddar cheese
• Capsicum, sliced onions, mushrooms, or olives
• Extra peri peri sauce for drizzling

👩‍🍳Step by Step Instructions:

1️⃣Prepare the Dough:

• Mix yeast, Sugar and warm water, Let it bloom for 10 minutes
• Add flour, salt and olive oil, Kneed into a smooth dough
• Cover and let rise for 1 to 2 hours until double in size

2️⃣Marinate and Cook the Chicken:

• Mix chicken with peri peri sauce, yogurt, salt, and black pepper
• Marinate for atleast 30 minutes [overnight for best results]
• Grill, PAn fry or air fry until fully cooked

3️⃣Assemble the Pizza:

• Firstly roll the dough into thin pieces
• Spread pizza sauce on the crust
• Add half of cheese, then chicken, then veggies,
• After that expand the peri perisauceon top for an extra flavor

4️⃣Bake the Pizza:

• Oven Method: Bake at 220°C (425°F) for 12 to 15 minutes

• Stovetop/No Oven Method: Cook the base of pizza on a tawa flat pan until its crispy, Then cover the cheese until its melt

🍴Variations of Peri Peri Pizza:

• Pakistani Style: Extra spice with green chilies, coriander, and masala peri peri drizzle
• Indian Style: Vegetarian freindly with paneer, bell peppers, and sweet corn
• Nando’s Inspired Global Version: Balanced flavors with peri peri chicken, olives, extra cheese, and sauce drizzle
• Cheese Burst Peri Peri Pizza: Mozzarella stuffed crust for cheese lovers.

🍽️ Chef’s Creative Corner

• Peri Peri Pizza Fries: Top fries with peri peri sauce & melted cheese — irresistible!
• Peri Peri Pizza Bombs: Stuff dough balls with peri peri chicken & cheese, bake 10 mins.
• Peri Peri Pizza Wraps: Roll a slice with lettuce & garlic mayo for a lunch fix.

💡Pro Tips & Expert Hacks:

• Thin & Crispy Base: Before adding toppings, Bake the pizza base for 5 minutes
• Best Cheese Mix: Use a different combination of mozzarella, Cheddar, Gouda, For resturant style pizza
• Healthy Option: Replace all purpose flour with whole wheat flour
• Quick Snack: Use tortilla wraps and or pita bread on the base

🧀 Mini Trivia: Did You Know?

• African bird’s eye chili can hit 175,000 Scoville Heat Units — 35× hotter than jalapeños!
• Peri peri means “pepper pepper” in Swahili.
• Portuguese explorers introduced chilies to India in the 15th century.

🥗Nutrition (Per Slice – Medium Pizza)

• Calories: ~250 kcal
• Protein: 15g
• Carbs: 28g
• Fat: 10g

🌶 Spice Level Customization

• Medium: Follow standard recipe.
• Extra Hot: Add green chilies + double sauce.
• Mild: Mix sauce with yogurt for softer flavor.

📊 Ingredient Substitution Guide

❓Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make peri peri pizza without oven?

A:Yes, Cook on a pan or tawa and cover with a lid until chesse melts

What’s the best peri peri sauce?

• Pakistan: National foods, Shan, And Nando’s

• India: Fun foods, Nando’s

• Worldwide: Nando’s is more authantic

How long can I store pizza?

• A: Store for 2 to 3 days, Freeze for up to 2 months

What sides go well with peri peri pizza?

• A: Peri peri fries, Garlic mayo dip, And chilled iced tea

Related Recipes You’ll Love:

• Peri Peri Pasta
• Cheesy Peri Chicken Burgers
• Hot Peri Rice
• Peri Peri Grilled Chicken

🧾 E-E-A-T: Why Trust This Peri Peri Pizza Recipe?

Experience:
This recipe is inspired by real kitchen experiments and the global love for peri peri flavors. It adapts the famous Nando’s style into a homemade version that can be prepared with or without an oven.

Expertise:
The cooking methods and ingredient pairings are based on authentic culinary practices — from traditional African peri peri flavors to desi style adaptations popular in Pakistan and India. The recipe reflects a balance of food safety, flavor, and cooking efficiency.

Authoritativeness:
Peri peri is a globally recognized flavor, rooted in African bird’s eye chili and popularized worldwide by Portuguese explorers and restaurants like Nando’s. By combining authentic peri peri sauce with classic pizza making techniques, this guide provides both global authenticity and local creativity.

Trustworthiness:
The ingredients, storage methods, and cooking steps are tested for reliability. Clear instructions, safety reminders (like storage duration), and multiple variations ensure that readers can confidently make and enjoy this recipe at home.

Final Thoughts:

Peri peri pizza is not just a recipe, Its a global food trend that adapts to local food tastes, If you are making a Nando’s style peri peri chicken pizza, a paneer peri peri pizza or a desi spicy peri peri pizza at home, This recipe will satisfy every food lovers