If you’re searching for a fresh, light, and utterly delicious appetizer, Chicken Spring Rolls are about to become your new favorite obsession. These crisp, colorful rolls wrap juicy shredded chicken and vibrant veggies in delicate rice paper, delivering an irresistible bite every single time. Perfect for parties, weeknight dinners, or a fun lunch, Chicken Spring Rolls put a flavorful, healthy twist on the classic spring roll—and they’re much easier to make than you might think!
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of simple ingredients, you’ll build flavors and textures that pop in every roll. Each component brings something special, whether it’s crunch, color, or a burst of herby freshness, so try to use everything listed or customize to your taste!
- Cooked chicken breast (shredded): The tender, juicy base of your filling—store-bought rotisserie works perfectly for a shortcut.
- Shredded carrots: Packed with crunch and natural sweetness, they brighten up each roll.
- Shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix: Adds crispness and lovely texture; pre-shredded for ultimate convenience.
- Red bell pepper (thinly sliced): Pops of sweet flavor and bold red color liven things up.
- Fresh cilantro or mint leaves: Bring an aromatic, refreshing note to the party; use whichever you love more.
- Green onions (sliced): A mild, zesty onion touch that keeps things lively without overpowering.
- Soy sauce: Adds salty depth and pulls the whole mix together—it’s your key to savory flavor.
- Sesame oil: Just a dash infuses the filling with an unmistakable nutty aroma.
- Rice paper wrappers: These delicate wraps hold everything together; look for them in the Asian aisle of your grocery store.
- Warm water for soaking: Essential for softening the rice papers—don’t skip this step!
- Optional dipping sauces (peanut sauce, hoisin, or sweet chili): The perfect finishing flourish—choose your favorite or try them all.
How to Make Chicken Spring Rolls
Step 1: Mix Up the Filling
Start by grabbing a medium bowl and combine your shredded chicken, carrots, cabbage or coleslaw mix, red bell pepper, fresh herbs, and green onions. Pour in the soy sauce and sprinkle over the sesame oil. Give everything a gentle toss so that every bite is full of flavor and vibrant color—this step sets the tone for the best Chicken Spring Rolls!
Step 2: Prepare the Rice Paper Wrappers
Fill a shallow dish with warm water. Take one rice paper wrapper at a time and dip it into the warm water for about 10 to 15 seconds. You want it just soft and pliable—be careful not to let it get overly soggy or it’ll be tricky to work with. Lay it flat on a clean, damp surface (a kitchen towel works wonders for preventing stickiness).
Step 3: Assemble the Rolls
Spoon about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the filling mixture near the bottom third of your rice paper wrapper. Fold the sides over the filling, then roll tightly from the bottom up, just like you would roll a burrito. The rice paper will seal itself as you roll. Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling. Before you know it, you’ll have a tray of stunning Chicken Spring Rolls ready to go!
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Arrange your finished rolls on a platter and serve them right away with your favorite dipping sauce. The combination of textures and flavors is truly out of this world—crunchy, juicy, and impossibly fresh. Eating these homemade Chicken Spring Rolls is guaranteed to brighten even a regular weekday!
How to Serve Chicken Spring Rolls
Garnishes
For an eye-catching presentation and extra pop of flavor, sprinkle your Chicken Spring Rolls with a few extra sprigs of fresh herbs, a scattering of toasted sesame seeds, or a light dusting of crushed peanuts. These subtle additions make your rolls look and taste even more enticing.
Side Dishes
If you want to make a meal out of these rolls, pair them with a light Asian-inspired salad, a bowl of steamed jasmine rice, or even a crisp cucumber salad. They also shine next to a tangy soup like miso or hot-and-sour, rounding out the textures and flavors perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Try slicing your Chicken Spring Rolls into bite-sized pieces and arranging them sushi-style on a platter, or serve with a trio of dipping sauces in pretty little bowls. Layer them over a bed of shredded lettuce for a fresh party platter, or wrap each roll in parchment paper for the cutest pack-and-go lunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with a few extra Chicken Spring Rolls, simply wrap them in damp paper towels and place in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for a few hours, but remember, the rice paper will gradually soften, so it’s best to enjoy them sooner rather than later.
Freezing
Unfortunately, rice paper doesn’t hold up well to freezing; it tends to become tough and lose its delightful chewiness once defrosted. For the best experience, assemble the rolls fresh and store leftovers in the fridge instead of the freezer.
Reheating
Chicken Spring Rolls are delicious served cold or at room temperature, so there’s no need to reheat. If the wrappers seem a bit dry, try wrapping the rolls in a lightly damp paper towel for a few minutes to help them regain their soft texture before serving.
FAQs
Can I use a different protein instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Shrimp, tofu, or even thinly sliced beef work beautifully in place of chicken. Just make sure whatever you use is cooked through and cut into bite-sized pieces or shreds for the best texture inside the spring rolls.
How do I prevent the rice paper from tearing?
The trick is to soak each wrapper only until it’s pliable but not mushy—about 10 to 15 seconds is often just right. Also, work on a damp surface and handle gently; if your rolls rip, just keep rolling—they’ll still taste amazing!
Can I make Chicken Spring Rolls ahead of time?
You can assemble them a few hours before serving; just wrap each roll tightly in damp paper towels then plastic wrap, and keep chilled. This keeps them fresh and soft without the rice paper drying out or getting tough.
What dipping sauces go best with these rolls?
Many people love classic peanut sauce, zesty hoisin, or sweet chili sauce as a dip for Chicken Spring Rolls. Feel free to mix and match, or even experiment with homemade spicy mayo for a little kick!
Are Chicken Spring Rolls gluten-free?
They can be, as rice paper and all the veggies are naturally gluten-free. Just double-check your soy sauce (use tamari for GF) and make sure any dipping sauces are suitable for a gluten-free diet.
Final Thoughts
There’s something magical about sharing Chicken Spring Rolls with friends and family, and they’re so rewarding to pull together at home. Give these a try for your next gathering or light meal—you’ll be amazed at how quickly everyone falls in love with the bright flavors and fun, hands-on prep. Happy rolling!
Print
Chicken Spring Rolls Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 rolls 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Chicken Spring Rolls are a fresh and healthy appetizer option that requires no cooking. Filled with shredded chicken, crunchy vegetables, and herbs, these Asian-inspired rolls are wrapped in rice paper and served with your choice of dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast (shredded)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix
- ½ red bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro or mint leaves
- ¼ cup green onions (sliced)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 8–10 rice paper wrappers
- warm water for soaking
- optional dipping sauces (peanut sauce, hoisin, or sweet chili)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the shredded chicken, carrots, cabbage, red bell pepper, cilantro or mint, green onions, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Toss gently to mix. Fill a shallow dish with warm water. Dip one rice paper wrapper into the water for 10–15 seconds, until just soft and pliable. Lay it flat on a clean surface or damp towel.
- Spoon about 2–3 tablespoons of the filling mixture near the bottom third of the wrapper. Fold the sides over the filling, then roll tightly from the bottom up like a burrito. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling.
- Serve immediately with your choice of dipping sauce.
Notes
Notes:
- For extra crunch, add thin rice noodles or chopped peanuts to the filling.
- These rolls are best fresh but can be stored in the fridge for a few hours wrapped in damp paper towels and plastic wrap.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
