Galinha à africana

African Chicken, or "galinha à Africana" in Portuguese, is a cherished dish from Macau, renowned for its flavorful and spicy profile. This Macanese specialty features barbecued chicken coated in a vibrant piri piri sauce. Occasionally, chefs enhance the dish with a touch of coconut milk or peanuts, infusing it with a distinctive Asian flair. It is often viewed as a local interpretation of traditional piri piri chicken.

The origins of African Chicken are somewhat enigmatic, but they all connect to Macau's rich colonial history with Portugal. One popular narrative credits Americo Angelo, a local chef in the 1940s, who is said to have crafted the dish using spices from Portugal's African colonies. Another theory suggests the recipe has been handed down through Portuguese families in Macau for generations. There is also the notion that retired Portuguese Army officers, following the Carnation Revolution, brought the recipe to Macau. These officers, who opened cafés and shared recipes from their time abroad, played a pivotal role in introducing this delightful dish to the region.