Cafriela de Frango (Bissau-Guinean Chili Lemon Grilled Chicken)
Local name: Cafriela de frango
In short: Chicken marinated for hours in lemon, onion, garlic and hot chili, then grilled until the skin chars and the meat stays juicy. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 440 kcal
Cafriela de frango is grilled chicken marinated in lemon, onion, garlic and plenty of hot chili, a dish that reflects the Portuguese influence on Bissau-Guinean cooking. The marinade soaks into the meat for hours, and a hot grill chars the skin while the inside stays juicy. It is usually served with rice, and a salad or green beans cut through the heat. Use fresh chilies and fresh lemon juice, because they carry most of the flavor.
Instructions
- Cut two or three deep slashes into the thickest part of each chicken piece, down to the bone.
- Blend 90 ml (6 tbsp) of the lemon juice with the onion, garlic, chilies, salt, pepper and 2 tbsp of the oil into a rough paste. Rub it all over the chicken, working it into the cuts. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 12.
- Take the chicken out of the fridge 20 minutes before cooking. Heat a grill to medium (about 190°C / 375°F), then clean and oil the grates.
- Grill the chicken with the lid closed, skin-side down first, turning every 8 minutes or so, until the skin is browned and charred in places and the thickest part reaches at least 74°C (165°F), about 35 to 40 minutes in all.
- Mix the remaining 1 tbsp oil with the remaining lemon juice and brush it over the chicken in the last 5 minutes.
- Rest the chicken for 5 minutes. Serve with rice and a green salad or green beans.
Tips
- No grill? Roast the chicken on a rack set over a baking tray at 220°C (425°F) for 40 to 45 minutes, turning once, then finish under the broiler for 3 minutes to char the skin.
- Wear gloves when you chop hot chilies, and do not touch your eyes. For milder chicken, remove the seeds or use only one chili.
Questions and answers
How spicy is cafriela?
It can be quite hot, since several fresh chilies go into the marinade. For a milder version, deseed the chilies or halve the amount.
Can I marinate the chicken overnight?
Yes, up to 12 hours. Longer than that and the lemon juice starts to make the surface of the meat mushy.
What can I serve with cafriela?
Plain rice is the usual partner, with green beans or a simple tomato and onion salad. Boiled cassava or fried potatoes also work.
How long does it take to make Cafriela de Frango (Bissau-Guinean Chili Lemon Grilled Chicken)?
About 1 h in total: 20 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Cafriela de Frango (Bissau-Guinean Chili Lemon Grilled Chicken)?
About 440 kcal per serving, with 32 g of protein, 6 g of carbohydrates and 31 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 440 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 32 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6 g |
| Fat | 31 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 900 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
