Why You’ll Love This Nando’s-Inspired Lemon and Herb Chicken

Easy to adapt: You can use chicken breasts, thighs, drumsticks or a whole chicken, depending on what you have available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this an official Nando’s lemon and herb chicken recipe?

No. This is a homemade Nando’s-inspired lemon and herb chicken fakeaway recipe. It recreates the fresh, citrusy and herby flavours associated with the popular restaurant dish but is not an official Nando’s recipe.

Is Nando’s lemon and herb chicken spicy?

Lemon and herb chicken is one of the mildest Nando’s-style flavours. This homemade version has lots of citrus, garlic and herbs with only a gentle warmth. You can leave out the chilli completely for an even milder result.

What chicken should I use?

Chicken breasts, boneless chicken thighs, drumsticks and bone-in thighs all work well. Chicken thighs tend to remain especially juicy, while chicken breasts cook more quickly and are easy to slice for wraps and salads.

How long should I marinate the chicken?

Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes. For a deeper lemon and herb flavour, cover it and leave it in the fridge for several hours or overnight.

Avoid leaving chicken in a very acidic lemon marinade for much longer than 24 hours, as the texture may begin to change.

Can I cook lemon and herb chicken in the air fryer?

Yes. Place the marinated chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook until golden and thoroughly cooked through. The exact cooking time will depend on the cut and thickness of the chicken, so check it before serving.

Can I cook it in the oven?

Yes. Arrange the chicken in an ovenproof dish or on a lined baking tray and cook until golden, juicy and completely cooked through. Bone-in pieces will usually take longer than boneless chicken breasts or thighs.

Can I cook it on the barbecue?

Yes. This lemon and herb chicken is ideal for barbecue season. Allow excess marinade to drip away before placing the chicken on the grill, then turn it regularly until evenly cooked.

How do I know when the chicken is cooked?

The chicken should be piping hot throughout, with no pink meat remaining. The juices should run clear, and the thickest part should reach a safe internal temperature when checked with a food thermometer.

What should I serve with Nando’s-inspired lemon and herb chicken?

Serve it with:

Can I make the marinade ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare the lemon and herb marinade in advance and store it in a sealed container in the fridge. Add it to the raw chicken when you are ready to begin marinating.

Do not reuse marinade that has been in contact with raw chicken unless it is thoroughly cooked first.

Can I freeze lemon and herb chicken?

Yes. You can freeze the raw chicken in the marinade in a suitable freezer-safe bag or container. Defrost it fully in the fridge before cooking.

You can also freeze the cooked chicken once it has cooled completely. Store it in an airtight container and reheat thoroughly before serving.

How long will leftovers keep?

Store cooked leftovers in a covered container in the fridge and use them within the recommended food-safety timeframe. Reheat the chicken until piping hot throughout and only reheat it once.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free and gluten-free?

The basic lemon and herb chicken marinade can easily be made dairy-free and gluten-free. Check the labels on any sauces, stock, seasoning blends or accompaniments to ensure they are suitable for your dietary requirements.

How can I make the chicken spicier?

Add extra chilli flakes, cayenne pepper, hot paprika or peri-peri sauce to the marinade. You can also serve additional hot sauce at the table so everyone can adjust the heat to their preference.