Description

These Napa Cabbage Summer Rolls with Chicken & Spicy Peanut Bliss are a refreshing, crunchy, and flavorful appetizer or light meal. Wrapped in tender Napa cabbage leaves, these rolls are filled with shredded chicken, crisp carrots, cucumber, and crispy rice noodles, paired with a creamy, spicy peanut sauce that combines sweetness, umami, and heat for dipping. Perfect for a healthy, gluten-free dish that’s quick to prepare and full of vibrant textures and flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Rolls

1 head Napa cabbage (The key wrapper)
2 cups Pre-cooked chicken, shredded
2 medium carrots, cut into matchsticks
1 medium cucumber, cut into matchsticks
1 cup crispy rice noodles (adds crunch)

Spicy Peanut Sauce

1/2 cup peanut butter
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon chili-garlic sauce (adjust for spice level)

Garnish

1/4 cup fresh cilantro

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare Ice Bath: Fill a large bowl with ice cubes and cold water to chill the cabbage after blanching.
Blanch Napa Cabbage: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Carefully add the whole head of Napa cabbage and blanch for about 2 minutes until leaves are pliable.
Chill and Drain: Immediately transfer the blanched cabbage to the ice bath to stop the cooking. Let it chill for a few minutes, then drain thoroughly.
Separate Leaves: Gently peel off large leaves from the cabbage and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture for easier rolling.
Make Peanut Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together warm water, peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, and chili-garlic sauce until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Trim Cabbage Leaves: Cut a small triangle notch out of the bottom thick stem of each cabbage leaf to make rolling easier.
Assemble Rolls: Lay each cabbage leaf flat on a clean surface. Layer with a portion of shredded chicken, carrot matchsticks, cucumber matchsticks, and crispy rice noodles.
Roll Tightly: Roll the cabbage leaf tightly around the fillings, tucking in sides as you go to form neat summer rolls.
Serve: Arrange the rolls on a platter and serve with a side of the prepared Spicy Peanut Sauce for dipping. Garnish with fresh cilantro for added freshness.

Notes

Pre-cooked chicken can be grilled, roasted, or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with tofu or additional crunchy vegetables.
Adjust the amount of chili-garlic sauce in the peanut sauce depending on your preferred spice level.
Make sure to dry the cabbage leaves well after blanching to prevent soggy rolls.
Crispy rice noodles add great texture but can be omitted if unavailable.
Serve immediately for best texture, or refrigerate wrapped in damp paper towels for up to 4 hours.