A culinary expert has shared an ingenious ordering strategy for Nando's that allows customers to create an off-menu item while simultaneously saving money on their meal. The clever hack has been revealed by chef and cookbook author Imran Ali, who demonstrates how to transform standard menu items into something special.
The Nando's Ordering Dilemma Solved
Imran Ali, known online as WhatInTheChef, took to YouTube to demonstrate his solution for those who struggle to choose between different chicken options on the Nando's menu. The Portuguese restaurant chain, famous for its flame-grilled peri-peri chicken, operates nearly 500 locations across the United Kingdom, making this tip potentially valuable for millions of regular customers.
The Simple Yet Effective Hack
"I just figured out the best Nando's hack," Imran announced in his video before gathering friends and visiting his local restaurant. He explained his method for when he craves both a chicken burger and chicken breast simultaneously.
The chef orders half a chicken with chips and garlic bread, then uses one piece of chicken from his half-chicken portion with the garlic bread to construct a burger. This approach leaves him with a second piece of chicken and the remaining chips, ultimately saving £2.35 compared to ordering items separately.
Assembly and Results
When the food arrived, Imran spread mayonnaise on the garlic bread before cutting up his chicken and placing it carefully on the bread. After adding sauce and completing the assembly, he declared: "A bit of sauce, put the top on and look at this... beautiful."
Comparing his creation to a standard chicken burger, he enthusiastically concluded: "Garlic chicken burger - this hack works so good. Wow."
Community Response and Additional Tips
The video sparked considerable response from YouTube viewers, with many sharing their own Nando's ordering strategies:
- One user suggested: "You need to try this - half chicken, chips, coleslaw, halloumi side, and a tortilla wrap on the side. Shred the chicken and make a wrap, you'll have half your chips left a bit of chicken and some slaw left. Insane."
- A former Nando's employee revealed: "I used to work in Nando's back in 2012, this is what I had for my break every shift (used to get free meal on every shift)."
- Another long-time practitioner shared: "I've been doing this for years - four thighs, garlic bread and Piri-Piri chips, then put the sauce on the garlic bread, and then ask for a bit of salad."
- A fourth contributor added: "I've always used the garlic bread for a burger but you've got to get the thighs, by far the best bit of the chicken."
Nando's Culinary Philosophy
For those unfamiliar with Nando's offerings, the company explains its approach online: "Flame-grilled, juicy, spicy... there's a reason Nando's chicken is legendary. We marinate our chicken in PERi-PERi for 24 hours before it's basted. All our sauces, bastes and marinades are made with fresh, real ingredients and have no artificial flavours or colourants."
They further elaborate on their cooking method: "We flame-grill because it reduces the fat content and regular basting is what keeps it so succulent." This attention to quality makes the chef's hack particularly appealing, as it allows customers to enjoy premium ingredients in creative new combinations while managing their food budget effectively.
