Air Fryer Nando’s Chicken Recipe (Easy Peri Peri Fakeaway)

Updated: April 2026
This air fryer Nando’s chicken recipe is a quick and easy way to make a peri peri chicken fakeaway at home.

Chicken breasts are coated in a simple Nando’s-style peri peri marinade, then cooked in the air fryer until juicy, tender and full of flavour.

Serve it with spicy fries, homemade Nando’s style peas, halloumi, rice, wraps or salad for an easy family dinner that feels like a takeaway but is much cheaper to make at home.

Quick Answer – How Long To Cook Nando’s Chicken In The Air Fryer

Cook peri peri chicken breasts in the air fryer at 200°C for 16 to 18 minutes, depending on thickness.

As a quick guide:

• coat chicken in marinade
• place in a single layer
• air fry at 200°C
• cook for 16 to 18 minutes
• check the thickest part reaches 75°C
• rest for a couple of minutes before slicing

Thicker chicken breasts may need a few extra minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Nando’s Chicken

This is such an easy fakeaway recipe.

• Quick family dinner
• Ready in around 25 minutes
• Uses just 4 ingredients
• Juicy peri peri chicken breast
• Great for wraps, bowls and fries
• Cheaper than takeaway

Ingredients For Air Fryer Nando’s Chicken

You only need four ingredients.

• 500g chicken breast
• 1 sachet Nando’s peri peri rub
• 1 tablespoon tomato puree
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Ingredient Notes And Easy Swaps

Chicken Breast

Boneless skinless chicken breast works well because it cooks quickly and slices nicely for wraps, bowls and salads.

Try to use chicken breasts of a similar thickness so they cook evenly.

Nando’s Peri Peri Rub

Use whichever heat level you like. Hot, medium or lemon and herb all work.

Tomato Puree

Tomato puree helps turn the rub into a paste and gives the chicken a richer flavour.

Olive Oil

Olive oil helps the marinade coat the chicken and keeps it from drying out in the air fryer.

Equipment Needed

You’ll need:

• air fryer
• tongs
• bowl
• spoon
• chopping board
• digital food thermometer

How To Make Air Fryer Nando’s Chicken

Step 1 – Mix The Peri Peri Marinade

Add the tomato puree, olive oil and Nando’s peri peri rub to a bowl.

Mix everything together with a spoon until it forms a thick paste.

Step 2 – Coat The Chicken

Add the chicken breasts to the bowl.

Spread the marinade over the chicken, then turn the chicken over and coat the other side too.

Step 3 – Air Fry The Chicken

Place the marinated chicken breasts into the air fryer basket in a single layer.

Cook at 200°C for 16 to 18 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken.

Step 4 – Check The Chicken Is Cooked

Check the thickest part of the chicken reaches 75°C using a digital food thermometer.

If it isn’t cooked through, return it to the air fryer for a few more minutes and check again.

Step 5 – Rest And Slice

Remove the chicken from the air fryer and rest on a chopping board for a couple of minutes.

Slice and serve with your favourite sides.

Best Temperature For Nando’s Chicken In The Air Fryer

The best temperature is 200°C.

This cooks the chicken quickly while helping the outside develop a lovely peri peri coating.

Because chicken breast thickness varies, always check the internal temperature rather than relying only on time.

UK Chicken Safety Temperature

Chicken should be cooked until the thickest part reaches 75°C.

It should also be:

• piping hot throughout
• opaque in the middle
• with no pink meat remaining

A digital thermometer is the easiest way to check.

Can You Marinate The Chicken Ahead?

Yes, you can coat the chicken in the peri peri marinade ahead of time.

Cover and store in the fridge until ready to cook.

Even 30 minutes marinating time helps the flavour, but you can also cook it straight away if you’re in a rush.

What To Serve With Air Fryer Nando’s Chicken

This peri peri chicken is perfect for a fakeaway-style dinner.

Try serving it with:

• air fryer chips
• spicy fries
• homemade Nando’s style peas
• air fryer halloumi
• rice
• coleslaw
• salad
• sweet potato wedges
• garlic bread

Easy Meal Ideas With Air Fryer Nando’s Chicken

Peri Peri Chicken Rice Bowl

Serve sliced chicken with microwave peri peri rice, peas, olives, hummus and coleslaw.

Nando’s Chicken With Spicy Fries

Serve with air fryer frozen chips sprinkled with peri peri seasoning, peas and coleslaw.

Peri Peri Chicken Wrap

Fill a tortilla wrap with hummus, sliced peri peri chicken, chilli jam and fresh salad.

Nando’s Chicken With Sweet Potato Mash

Serve sliced chicken on top of sweet potato mash with peas and garlic bread.

Expert Tips For The Best Air Fryer Peri Peri Chicken

Use Similar Sized Chicken Breasts

This helps everything cook evenly.

Don’t Overcrowd The Basket

Cook in a single layer so the hot air can circulate.

Check With A Thermometer

Chicken breast can dry out if overcooked, so checking the temperature is the best way to get it right.

Rest Before Slicing

Resting for a couple of minutes helps keep the chicken juicy.

Add Extra Sauce After Cooking

If you like things saucier, brush with extra peri peri sauce once cooked.

How To Store Leftovers

Cool leftovers quickly, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Use cold or reheated chicken in:

• wraps
• sandwiches
• rice bowls
• salads
• pasta

Reheat until piping hot throughout.

More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

Try these next:

• Air Fryer Chicken Breast
• Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas
• Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
• Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breasts
• Air Fryer Chicken Kebabs
• Air Fryer Chicken Breast Foil Packets

Air Fryer Recipes Hub

If you love easy air fryer dinners, take a look at our Air Fryer Recipes Hub where you’ll find:

• air fryer chicken recipes
• quick fakeaway ideas
• family dinners
• side dishes
• snacks
• air fryer cooking guides