Chicken spring rolls are a delicious and light appetizer or snack. They are made with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and herbs, all wrapped in rice paper and served with a dipping sauce. Here’s how to make chicken spring rolls:
Ingredients:
For the Filling:
- 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast, cooked and thinly sliced or shredded
- 8-10 rice paper wrappers (spring roll wrappers)
- 1 cup lettuce leaves, washed and torn into small pieces
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1 cucumber, julienned
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
For the Dipping Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Chopped peanuts or crushed roasted sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
Prepare the Chicken:
- Cook the chicken breast by grilling, boiling, or pan-frying until it’s cooked through and no longer pink in the center. Let it cool, then thinly slice or shred it.
Prepare the Vegetables and Herbs:
- Wash and prepare all the vegetables and herbs as described in the ingredients list (lettuce, bean sprouts, cucumber, carrot, mint, cilantro, and basil). Set them aside.
Prepare the Dipping Sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey or brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using). Adjust the seasonings to your taste.
Assemble the Spring Rolls:
- Fill a large bowl with warm water. Dip one rice paper wrapper into the warm water for about 10-15 seconds, or until it becomes pliable but not too soft. Place it on a clean, damp kitchen towel or a plate.
- Lay a few pieces of lettuce on the lower third of the wrapper, leaving about 2 inches on each side.
- Add a small amount of each filling ingredient on top of the lettuce: sliced or shredded chicken, bean sprouts, cucumber, carrot, mint leaves, cilantro leaves, and basil leaves.
- Carefully fold the sides of the wrapper over the filling, then lift the bottom of the wrapper and roll it tightly away from you, keeping the filling snug as you go.
- Repeat the process with the remaining rice paper wrappers and filling ingredients.
Serve the Spring Rolls:
- Serve the chicken spring rolls immediately, either whole or sliced in half on a diagonal, with the dipping sauce.
- If desired, garnish with chopped peanuts or crushed roasted sesame seeds.
Chicken spring rolls are best when served fresh, as the rice paper can become sticky if stored for too long. Enjoy these refreshing and flavorful spring rolls as a light and healthy appetizer or snack.