Peri-peri Chicken Goujons (Strips) - Better Than Nando’s
Better than Nando
Nando’s is a chicken restaurant as it only sells chicken. It’s also a fast food chain. My children love to eat at Nando’s. To me it’s nothing much special. The chicken is grilled. It’s the sauce that makes it special. If you love Nando’s, you will love this simple and easy chicken goujons cooked with Nando’s peri-peri sauce. By the way, I had just learned this new word ‘goujons’ recently when I saw a packet of frozen chicken meat in the supermarket. I’m sure you can call it chicken strips or even chicken sticks. It’s very quick to cook. It’s a real homemade fast food.
Nando's marinade sauce
When I came back from Malaysia recently, I found a bottle of Nando’s sun-dried tomato and basil peri peri marinade sauce and a bottle of hot peri-peri sauce in the fridge. My children bought them from the supermarket to use as a dipping sauce.
To encourage them to eat more at home, the best is to cook for them……homemade Nando’s, not grilled whole chicken but pan fried chicken goujons. My children liked it very much. They said it’s better than Nando’s….yeah!! They have not talked about going to Nando’s since. I’ve won…hehe.
These chicken goujons are very simple, easy and quick to cook. If you follow my recipes, you will find that I hardly use chicken breast meat in my cooking. I grew up with the knowledge that chicken thighs or chicken drumsticks are the best. They are juicy and tender. We serve our guests the best past……chicken thighs and chicken legs, not chicken breast meat! Chicken breast meat is cheaper than chicken legs back home. But it’s just the opposite here. So, you can imagine how delighted I was when I came here to find chicken legs are cheap.
But I used chicken breast meat here to make these chicken goujons. I had the breast meat from a whole chicken that I bought. I cut out the breast meat and used the rest to make a good chicken soup. These peri-peri chicken goujons are a real surprise to me….very tender and delicious. Here is my Better Than Nando’s Per-peri Chicken Goujons (Strips) recipe.
Ingredients A
1 whole chicken breast meat (cut into strips)
Ingredients B
1 egg
2T sun-dried tomato and basil peri-peri marinade sauce
Dipping sauce to marinade chicken
Mix Ingredients B in a bowl. Dip the chicken pieces into the marinade.
Ingredients C
3T cornflour
1T flour
1T dried parsley
1T dried basil
3/4T fine sea salt
1/2t pepper
Coating mix
Mix Ingredients C in a bowl. After dipping the chicken pieces into the marinade, dip into the flour mixture.
Chicken goujons ready to be fried
Lay the chicken pieces on a tray.
Pan fry the chicken strips
When all is done, heat up some oil in a frying pan and pan fry the chicken pieces. This is pan-fried and not deep-fried which is less oily and less fattening. When the bottom turns golden, turn them over and fry until the other side is also golden. Dish up and serve hot with your favourite sauce. My children liked it with Nando’s hot sauce…spicy and delicious.
Nando's sauce pancakes
What happens to the left over marinade and coating mix? Don’t throw. Just mix the 2 together to make a pancake batter. Add water if it’s too thick. Pour into the pan to make pancakes. It’s delicious dipped in chilli sauce. If you like the pancake to be softer, beat in an egg and mix well before frying.
This chicken goujons are very delicious on its own, go with potato fries, with rice, with noodles or even used in wrap or tortillas. Kids will love this, but without the spicy dipping sauce.
Other chicken recipes that you may be interested in:
Fast And Easy Malaysian Chicken Curry
Super Fast Chinese Roasted Chicken
Teriyaki Chicken And Rice
Fried Korean Kimchi Chicken
Quick Sour Plum Sauce Chicken
Thai Chicken Coconut Soup
Hot Ginger Sauce Chicken
Pepsi Chicken
Spicy Aromatic Baked Chicken
Palm Sugar (Gula Melaka) Chicken
More chicken recipes at my Recipes section.
Quote of the day……
“Cheerfulnessis the best promoter of health and is as friendly to the mind as to the body.”
- Joseph Addison
Keep Learning Keep Smiling
61 Comments
Elin on January 21st, 2011
Wow…Mary, I must try your Nando’s sauce pancake 
Looks tasty and delicious. I must get a bottle of this sauce the next time I go down to KL We don’t have it here 
Have a nice weekend and wishing you and family
‘Gong Xi Fa Cai ‘ May the Rabbit year brings happiness, health and prosperity to you and family.
Elin
j3ss kitch3n on January 21st, 2011
Mary you are amazing! i always learn new things from you! i love the chicken and pancake to bits =D
Priya on January 21st, 2011
Slurp, such a tempting periperi chicken strips..inviting..
Mary on January 21st, 2011
@lena - Yes, the sauce is quite special. My children love it. Actually I’m learning more ways to eat from my children 
They love to try food outside and then come back and tell me. The pancake is just my attempt not to waste. Maybe next time must make more of the marinade sauce and flour mix..all because of pancake…haha
@Elin - Hope you can get it soon. Maybe you can try to make the sauce yourself Thanks very much for your Chinese New Year greetings and wishes. Same to you, too!
@j3ss kitch3n - Thanks very much for your sweet comment, Jess! I’m still learning. Hope to learn a lot this year
@Priya - Thanks very much, Priya!
DG on January 21st, 2011
Looks great and delicious. Never heard of this sauce before, seems it may taste sweet & sour, am I right?
Katerina on January 21st, 2011
I am sure my son would love this chicken too. They look very appetizing and homemade.
suituapui on January 21st, 2011
Looks good… My daughter goes to Nando’s in NZ quite often… Maybe I should give this a try. Don’t have the marinade though…
Mary on January 21st, 2011
@DG - I dont know how to describe it but it was really good. Hope you can find it at your place. Have fun cooking
@Katerina - Give a try. It’s really simple to make and delicious
@suituapui - I don’t think I have ever seen this marinade back home. Maybe your daughter can try this when she goes back to NZ. Maybe I should try to make this sauce. Hope I am smart enough
lily ng on January 21st, 2011
i tasted Peri Peri Chicken in Cape Town South Africa and it was delicious. Bet your peri peri chicken strips taste better
claire on January 21st, 2011
There isnt any Nando in Ipoh but I ate those peri peri chicken in Penang.. my kids love them.. but I dont know how to do it.. i read over your recipe but too bad, i dont have this 2T sun-dried tomato and basil peri-peri marinade sauce over here.. maybe i ask elin and see what it is,..
Belinda @zomppa on January 21st, 2011
Ooo, peri-peri is the best! Those pancakes look too tempting.
Drick on January 21st, 2011
so glad you made your own chicken strips, saves a lot of money plus you get to have soup… we do not have these restaurants here, but I am sure I can find some sauce of similarity…
The Kitchen Masochist on January 21st, 2011
I’ve never heard of “gujons” either until now.
I’ve never tried Nando’s brand but you had me at peri-peri so I’m liking your chicken and your clever use of leftover marinade to make your pancakes.
I noticed in Southeast Asia that people are partial to thighs, legs and wings when it comes to chicken. Even over here, breast meat is cheaper than than other parts.
I know breast meat doesn’t have a lot of flavor compared to the other parts but I don’t like to “work” and find the meat when I’m eating. I feel like I get more for my money with chicken breasts since they have more meat compared to wings, things and legs.
KM
Mary on January 21st, 2011
I can see why your children love these, Mary. The sauced chicken sounds wonderful. Have a great day. Blessings…Mary
Little Corner of Mine on January 21st, 2011
Looks good, would love to taste it. Never have it before.
anncoo on January 21st, 2011
There is a new Nando restaurant here. Have not tried yet, will try to get that sauce first.
kitchen flavours on January 21st, 2011
wow, you are amazing. Love everything from the chicken to the pancake! Great idea on the pancake, I would usually just fry the batter into little crispies, but not pancake! I am not a fan of Nando’s, I think your homemade version is better!
Swathi on January 21st, 2011
looks delicious. always homemade version is better than outside.
Namitha on January 21st, 2011
Have had this only in restaurants…Glad that I could cook this my own with your recipe Thanks Mary !
Kathy Gori on January 21st, 2011
This looks great Mary. Very delicious. I know that anything you’d make would beat Nandos any day of the week by a country mile! Your kids are so lucky to have you cooking for them.
rebecca on January 21st, 2011
yum love nandos always go when we come to the UK, great recipe thanks for the congrats
Ginny Hartzler on January 21st, 2011
I have learned so much here today!!! First I must tell you that I order chicken strips, or chicken fingers every place we go to eat!!! So they are called goujons, I didn’t know that! This is what they are called in Malaysia? I don’t see a profile on you to find out a bit anout you, you are from there? Where are you living now? Anyway, chicken breasts here are more expensive. They are considered the gourmet part. But they are much drier. My husband prefers the thighs and legs. This is a wonderful recipe!
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Mary on January 21st, 2011
@lily ng - My children said mine is better. I trust their taste
@claire - Looks like we have to learn to make the sauce. The sauce is quite expensive here. Hopefully I am smart enough to make a copycat version of this sauce Maybe Elin can help, too.
@Belinda @zomppa - Totally agree with you that peri-peri sauce is really good
@Drick - Yes, I’ll be saving a oo of money if my children don’t go to Nando’s It’s really cheap to make at home. Drick, maybe you can even make your own peri-peri sauce, then I can learn from you
@The Kitchen Masochist - Thanks very much! Yes, Asians love thighs, drumsticks and wings. We love to chew meat off the bones, too. The meat is also more tender and juicy while chicken breast meat is tough and bland. It’s really interesting how different we are when comes to eating. It even affects the pricing!
@Mary - Thanks very much, Mary! Hope you have a wonderful day, too
@Little Corner of Mine - Give a try if you can find the peri-peri sauce. It’s simple to cook and very delicious
@anncoo - Give a try at the Nando’s restaurant and then make your version and compare. I’m sure yours is much better
@kitchen flavours - Thanks very much! Frying into little crispies is a great idea. I would try that next time
@Swathi - Thanks very much, Swathi! Totally agree with you that homemade is always better
@Namitha - Thanks very much, Namitha! Have fun cooking
@Kathy Gori - Aww…thanks very much for such sweet comments, Kathy! I really wish I can cook all the restaurant food! I’ll learn one at a time
@rebecca - My children would love you for that…love Nando’s Can’t wait to see your baby!
@Ginny Hartzler - I have just learned the word ‘goujons’ recently! Sounds like French to me…haha. We don’t have a special term in Malaysia for this. We hardly cook it this way. We always deep fry chicken thighs, drumsticks or wings. Your husband eats like Asians…loving thighs, and legs You can know more about me in my About page at the top bar. I am now living in Aberdeen, Scotland. Lovely to know you, Ginny!
fimère on January 21st, 2011
ça a l’air délicieux bravo
bonne soirée
somewhere in singapore on January 21st, 2011
Am drooling now, hehe…
redkathy on January 21st, 2011
Oh my gosh Mary making pancakes with left over is a great idea. My mom did that from time to time. I had forgotten until I read this fabulous chicken post!
have a great weekend!
cookie on January 21st, 2011
Hey Mary,
when I first arrived in London, we didn’t believe the price disparity in chicken breast vs. drumstick, and went to the till to get confirmation!!! Yes, chicken thigh, wings, drumstick, aka the best parts are just unbelievably good value in this land!!!
PS: I am a Nandos fan but would love to have you goujons someday. Yours look like the right stuff for my appetite!!!
Ivy on January 22nd, 2011
My children do not like chicken legs so I usually buy chicken breast and the only time we eat the legs are when we buy a whole chicken. The chicken sounds delicious and I love your mentality not to waste anything.
Mary on January 22nd, 2011
@fimère - Thanks very much, Fimère!
@somewhere in singapore - Give a try. Have fun cooking
@redkathy - Thanks very much, Kathy! Now you can have 2 dishes in one again
@cookie - Bet you are enjoy the best parts of chicken here like me My children would love you for liking what they like…Nando’s…haha
@Ivy - Thanks very much, Ivy! Your children have more expensive taste. You will be very happy if you stay in Asia as the breast meat there is so much cheaper
lequan on January 22nd, 2011
pheew, finally have a chance to sit down and start reading blogs right now today. hey, any time my kids pick home cooking over eating out is a definite win for me. these days i don’t really want to eat out anymore after all the yummy recipes i get from blog reading. you’ll soon see 
thanks for teaching me that new word chicken goujons. i’ve never heard of it before. now i know. i’d sure pick your chicken goujons over eating out anyday.
Cheah on January 22nd, 2011
Gosh, Nando’s is one of my favourite, pity they don’t have it in Ipoh. I feel like grabbing one piece from the screen right now!
Jeannie on January 22nd, 2011
I think this sauce is available in jusco here, remembered seeing it. Love nandos too for the sauce lol! Great idea to cook this at home to encourage the children to eat in.
Joanne on January 22nd, 2011
I love the spice of peri peri! Sounds delicious.
busygran on January 22nd, 2011
The sauce sounds awesome. Don’t know if it’s available in S’pore. It’s a great idea to use up the remaining sauce to make pancakes! The chicken looks yummy!
Little Inbox on January 22nd, 2011
Oh well, I can smell it. I’m hungry now. Haha…
Pepy @Indonesia Eats on January 22nd, 2011
nom nom nom save some for me please
Nadji on January 22nd, 2011
Des gougeonnettes qui semblent délicieuses.
Malheureusement, ici, nous n’avons pas cette sauce.
Bon week-end et à bientôt.
See-soon.
Simply Life on January 22nd, 2011
oh I’d love a pancake this weekend!
elisabeth@foodandthriftfinds on January 22nd, 2011
Mary-Love the peri-peri-chicken strips the way you prepared it. We cannot get Nando’s sauce in our area, will have to google it. It looks so yummy and delicous!
Mary on January 22nd, 2011
@lequan - Yes, we are happily learning from each other through this wonderful world of blogging I think whether kids or adults, it’s always a battle to fight to win eating at home….haha. I think I win most of the time…thank goodness! Pretty soon you can let your kids join you in the kitchen to cook Hope your kids like these chicken goujons.
@Cheah - Haha….my girls would love you for that…Nando’s
Hope you can get the peri-peri sauce and cook it yourself at home.
@Jeannie - That’s nice. You can cook Nando’s at home
@Joanne - Thanks very much, Joanne!
@busygran - Singapore seems to have international ingredients to me, so I think you can find it there. have fun cooking
@Little Inbox - Time to cook!
@Pepy @Indonesia Eats - Any time
@Nadji - Thanks very much, Nadji! Hope you can find the sauce one day. Or hope I know how to make the sauce
@Simply Life - I want, too
@elisabeth@foodandthriftfinds - Thanks very much, Elisabeth! Hope you can find it soon. Or maybe make your own one
tigerfish on January 23rd, 2011
Have not tried Nado before - is it that good? I thought even think I have tried Peri Peri chicken :O
Faith on January 23rd, 2011
Your chicken strips look great, Mary! Crunchy coating, flavorful, satisfying, and delicious!
Tasty Trix on January 23rd, 2011
I think I have heard of Nando’s … I wonder could I find the sauce? It sounds just like something I would love!! Mm, peri-peri ….
pierre on January 23rd, 2011
hi mary
this chicken looks definitely great to me
Cheers from France !!!
Pierre de Paris
Sarah, Maison Cupcake on January 23rd, 2011
I’ve never eaten in Nandos but I can see how great these goujons look. I think I’ve seen the sauce in Sainsbury’s, I’ll be tempted to buy it now.
Jess @ Bakericious on January 24th, 2011
Mary, the chicken looks so delicious, I wish I can have some now.
penny aka jeroxie on January 24th, 2011
I have the sauce too! I can make some myself
Ananda Rajashekar on January 25th, 2011
congrats on winning on healthy note the chicken really looks top of deliciousness who would love it
Mary on January 25th, 2011
@tigerfish - Many people like it, including my children. The grilled chicken was delicious and more delicious with the peri-peri sauce. Give a try. Hope you like it
@Faith - Thanks very much, Faith! Yes, my children like it very much
@Tasty Trix - Hope you can find the peri peri sauce there. Then you can enjoy coking Nando’s at home
@pierre - Thanks very much, Pierre! Hope Paris is not as cold as Aberdeen.
@Sarah, Maison Cupcake - Maybe you can give a try at Nando’s and then cook at home, too. I think you will be happy to cook it at home and find it’s so delicious
@Jess @ Bakericious - Thanks very much, Jess! I hope you can find the sauce there so that you can cook it at home
@penny aka jeroxie - Yes, give a try. I hope you like it
@Ananda Rajashekar - Thanks very much, Ananda! You are always very encouraging
Island Vittles on January 27th, 2011
A great easy dinner! I love the pancake idea too — no waste! Theresa
mycookinghut on January 27th, 2011
I am a big fan of Nandos.. this is perfect for me!
Zibi on January 29th, 2011
Yay! You beat the fast food chain I’m so happy to hear that your kids prefer your version… it sure looks good.
I’ve had Nando’s chicken once and I agree, the flavour is all in the sauce, that pancake you made must be good
Mary on February 1st, 2011
@Island Vittles - Thanks very much, Theresa!
@mycookinghut - Have fun cooking!
@Zibi - Haha…I wish I could beat all the fast food chains!
Dan on February 4th, 2011
That chicken looks so yummy and spicy. I’d like to learn how to make my own piri-piri sauce one day.
presa1200 on November 27th, 2011
“better than nando’s”
wow that’s threatening and challenging as well, don’t play play. i wanna try your version since i don’t have oven.
thanks for sharing, lovely mom.
presa1200 on November 28th, 2011
hey Mary, i tried out your recipe today and it turned out very well. however, i altered it a bit to make it more flavorful. i combined everything except the flour and marinate in the fridge overnight. when ready to fry, just dip the marinated chicken in flour mixture.
oh yeah i couldn’t find the sun-dried tomato & basil so i used nando’s hot peri-peri sauce instead. i must agree with you that nando’s sauce is quite expensive here, maybe we can search on youtube how to make from scratch. with vinegar and chillies i guess it can store up to a year.
thanks again! now i can have nando’s at home.
Mary on November 30th, 2011
@presa - Wow….you tried it! That’s so wonderful to know and thanks lots for sharing your tips Now you remind me, I still have 2 bottles of the hot per-peri sauce. I need t try and use them up. I do hope one day we can make our own peri-peri sauce. Who knows, maybe we may even come out with a better one…hehe. To store a year??? Only if you add preservatives I think. If we can make at home, I am happy to make enough to last a month Take care and have fun cooking.
presa1200 on November 30th, 2011
yeah i made 2 batches just for testing, i cooked the 1st batch on the same day i bought the chicken and the 2nd batch on the next day. of course, the longer it kept marinated in the fridge the better it will taste. you may add more peri2 sauce for better taste.
i used the hot peri2 sauce and it turned out just nice, so i guess you can use them up too. i’m still searching for an authentic peri2 sauce recipe, some are not complete whereas some are too simplified. i might wanna do a lil experiments and will let you know my discovery
yeah i’m no kidding, it surprised me that these things can actually last very long. i made a small bottle of chutney (indian condiment) last year and it has been in the fridge for over a year now, it still tastes fresh and even more flavorful. the peri2 sauce recipe calls for vinegar and lemon juice so i think these ingredients can act as natural preservative because of the citric acid. if not a year, 6 months would suffice.
thanks again Mary, your recipe is so wonderful.
Sammy on January 30th, 2012
Thank you so much for this recipe! I’m vegetarian but my partner isn’t and is a HUGE fan of Piri-Piri chicken and Nando’s. He’s on his 2nd serve now, So I’m guessing it gets a big thumbs up!!
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lena on January 21st, 2011
actually i remember seeing that bottle of per peri sauce too over here, i think nex time i should just get a bottle as a dipping for for my chicken or fish. wow, you are superb..can also turn the coating batter to pancake! wonderful.