Chicken rolls make for a tasty and convenient appetizer, meal or snack. These stuffed rolls take inspiration from Asian dumplings but can be customized in endless ways.
 |
| The Complete Guide to Delicious Chicken Rolls |
Read on to learn all about how to make flavorful chicken rolls at home from start to finish.
What Defines Chicken Rolls?
Chicken rolls consist of spiced chicken and chopped vegetables wrapped snugly into a soft wrapper. They are similar to egg rolls or spring rolls but the filling is anchored by chicken rather than just vegetables on their own.
The fillings marry flavorful chicken pieces with crisp vegetables like cabbage, bean sprouts, carrots and onions. Seasonings like garlic, ginger and soy sauce amp up the overall flavor.
The exciting part about chicken rolls is that the fillings can vary tremendously. You can customize them to be more spicy with sriracha or more tangy and sweet with hoisin sauce.
The wrappers also differ significantly depending on whether you want them fried or fresh. Fried wrappers like egg roll wrappers become crispy and golden, while rice paper stays soft and pliable.
Benefits of Homemade Chicken Rolls
Making chicken rolls from scratch at home has many advantages:
- Portable: These tidy little rolls are easy to pick up and eat out of hand. This makes them a great addition to bagged lunches.
- Nutritious: Packed with protein, fiber and vitamins, chicken rolls make for a healthy snack or light meal. Use brown rice wrappers and whole grains to amp up nutrition.
- Endlessly Variable: Part of the fun is trying out different fillings and flavors to discover new favorite combinations.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble rolls in advance, then cook just before eating. They also reheat remarkably well.
- Kid Friendly: Children love dipping the rolls in sweet and sour sauce. Shaping them into cute characters makes them even more fun.
- Diet Friendly: Easily modify chicken rolls to be gluten free, dairy free, nut free and other custom diets.
Now that you know the versatile benefits of chicken rolls, let's get into how to actually make them!
Wrapper Options
Popular wrappers for chicken rolls include:
- Egg Roll Wrappers: Thin, wheat-based wrappers that turn crispy when fried
- Rice Paper: Translucent sheets made of rice that stay tender after water-dipping
- Tortillas: Easy wrapper option using flour or corn tortillas
- Wonton Wrappers: Small, thin squares that fry up delicate and crispy
- Spring Roll Pastry: Crisp pastry wrappers that create shatteringly flaky layers
- Pizza Dough: For a unique take, roll up chicken fills in pizza dough then bake
Chicken Fillings
To make the flavorful interior filling, collect these ingredients:
Cooked Chicken - Rotisserie or baked chicken works well for easy shredding
- Onions: Finely chopped to spread flavor
- Garlic: Minced or grated for aroma
- Ginger: Grated for zing
- Cabbage: Thinly sliced or shredded for crunch
- Carrots: Julienned or grated makes them easy to eat
- Green Onions: Chopped for freshness and color
- Bean Sprouts: For added texture
- Soy Sauce: For salty depth
- Sesame Oil Nutty aroma
- Rice Vinegar: Bright acidity
- Salt & Pepper: Essential seasonings
Optional Filling Additions
Some tasty mix-ins include:
- Shrimp: For extra protein
- Tofu: To make vegetarian
- Pork: Different meat option
- Veggies: Mushrooms, spinach, etc.
- Glass Noodles: For extra carbs
- Cheese: Melty additions
- Herbs: Cilantro, basil, etc.
That covers the basics you'll need for the fillings and wrappers. From there, customize flavors to match your preferences. Now let's get into actually crafting crave-worthy chicken rolls from start to finish!
Step-By-Step Chicken Roll Creation
Follow these simple steps for flawless chicken rolls anytime:
1. Prep Wrappers
Remove wrappers from fridge or freezer and allow to come to room temp before filling. This prevents cracking or splitting. Lay flat on a clean surface.
2. Cook Chicken
If using raw chicken, dice breasts or tenders into bitesize pieces. Sauté until cooked through and no pink remains inside. Shred cooled chicken into strands with two forks.
3. Prep Veggies
Rinse produce. Slice thinly or shred vegetables like cabbage, onions and carrots into thin strips or pieces that will easily roll.
4. Make Filling
In a mixing bowl, combine chicken, vegetables, minced garlic/ginger, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil and any other flavor additions. Mix well.
5. Assemble Rolls
Place 2-3 tbsp filling into the center of the wrapper. Fold sides over filling, then roll up from the bottom, sealing edges with water. Place the sealed-side down on the baking sheet.
6. Cook Chicken Rolls
For fried rolls, heat oil to 350°F and fry 2-3 mins per side until golden brown. For baked, brush with oil and bake for 15 mins at 400°F, flipping halfway through.
7. Sauce It Up!
Serve your hot chicken rolls alongside dipping sauces like sweet chili, duck or hoisin sauce. Then...dig in!
Conclusion
Chicken rolls are simple to prepare and infinitely adaptable. Follow this guide for flavorful chicken rolls anytime.
With so many potential seasoning and filling combinations, try different versions like buffalo chicken or teriyaki chicken. Serve with fun dipping sauces on the side and enjoy these tasty stuffed rolls!
FAQs
Still, have some questions? Here are answers to frequent chicken roll inquiries:
How do you stop wrappers from tearing?
Allow wrappers to come to room temperature before filling and sealing edges with a dab of water to prevent rips. Don't overfill or roll too tight.
Can you freeze chicken rolls?
Yes! Assemble uncooked rolls in a single layer then freeze solid. Transfer to an airtight freezer bag or container for storage. Add a few extra minutes to the cooking time when preparing after freezing.
What chicken is best to use?
Rotisserie chicken works well since it's already cooked and shredded. Alternatively, dice and cook raw chicken pieces until fully cooked through.
What’s the difference between egg rolls and spring rolls?
Egg rolls use wheat-based wrappers that fry up crispy. Spring rolls use tender rice paper wrappers served fresh and unfried. Fillings also differ slightly. But you can use either wrapper for chicken rolls!
What sauces go well with chicken rolls?
Popular dipping sauces include sweet & sour, duck, soy, sweet chili, hot mustard, hoisin, plum, peanut sauce and more.
Should you bake or fry chicken rolls?
You can cook chicken rolls either way - frying makes them crispy while baking is a healthier method. If baking, brush a light coating of oil on the rolls first.
Can you meal prep chicken rolls?
Yes! Assemble rolls in advance then cook fresh or freeze. Baked or fried chicken rolls also reheat well for easy meal prepping.