Chicken Spring Rolls Recipe lovers, this one’s for you! If you’ve ever wanted to recreate those crispy, golden rolls filled with juicy chicken and fresh vegetables at home, you’re in the right place. This step-by-step guide walks you through everything—from choosing the right wrappers to perfecting the filling and cooking methods. Whether you’re frying, baking, or air-frying, this recipe is simple, fun, and incredibly tasty. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to frozen spring rolls again.
Why You’ll Love These Chicken Spring Rolls
These chicken spring rolls are crunchy on the outside and full of juicy, flavorful chicken on the inside. They’re not hard to make, and you can prepare a big batch to feed your family or guests. Making them at home also means you get to choose the ingredients and season them the way you like. They’re great as snacks, party food, or even a light meal when served with a dipping sauce or side dish.
Homemade chicken spring rolls are fresher and healthier than frozen ones or fast food. Once you make them yourself, it’s hard to go back.
What Are Chicken Spring Rolls?
Chicken spring rolls are crispy rolls filled with cooked chicken and vegetables, wrapped in a thin wrapper, and usually fried until golden brown. They come from Asian cuisine, especially Chinese cuisine, but they’ve become popular all over the world.
Spring rolls are different from egg rolls. Spring rolls use thin, smooth wrappers that get very crisp when fried. Egg rolls are thicker, sometimes chewy, and their wrappers are often made with egg. The inside of spring rolls is usually lighter too, with finely shredded fillings and less oil.
Ingredients for Chicken Spring Rolls
The ingredients are simple and easy to find in most grocery stores. You need cooked chicken, vegetables like cabbage and carrots, seasonings like garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil, and spring roll wrappers.
You can also add green onions or bean sprouts for extra crunch. If you like stronger flavors, a little oyster sauce or chili sauce can be added to the filling. You’ll also need oil for frying, unless you plan to bake or air-fry them.
The wrapper is important—make sure you get spring roll wrappers, not rice paper or egg roll wrappers. Wheat-based spring roll wrappers work best for frying.
Best Chicken to Use for Spring Rolls
You can use ground chicken or cooked and shredded chicken. Both work well. Ground chicken mixes easily with vegetables and absorbs flavor quickly. If you have leftover rotisserie chicken or cooked chicken breasts, that works too—just shred it into small pieces so it fits well inside the wrapper.
If you’re cooking from scratch, season the chicken with a little soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Let it cool before mixing it with vegetables so the wrapper doesn’t get soggy when you roll it.
How to Make the Chicken Filling
To make the filling, start by heating a pan and adding a little sesame oil. Add finely chopped garlic and ginger and stir until it smells good. Add the chicken and cook until done if using raw, or just warm it up if already cooked.
Next, add shredded carrots and cabbage and stir-fry until soft but not mushy. Add soy sauce and stir everything well. Taste the mixture and add salt or a little more sauce if needed.
Let the filling cool completely before you start rolling the spring rolls. If it’s too hot, it can make the wrappers tear.
Choosing the Right Spring Roll Wrappers
You’ll need thin spring roll wrappers that fry up crispy. These are usually made from wheat flour and can be found in the freezer section of Asian stores or large supermarkets. They’re square and very thin, almost like paper.
Make sure to thaw frozen wrappers fully before using them. Keep the unused wrappers under a damp cloth while you work, or they’ll dry out quickly and crack. Don’t use rice paper wrappers for this recipe—they’re meant for fresh, uncooked rolls and won’t work here.
How to Roll Chicken Spring Rolls Like a Pro
Place a wrapper on a flat surface in a diamond shape. Spoon about two tablespoons of filling near the bottom corner. Fold the bottom corner over the filling, then fold in the left and right sides, and roll it up tightly to the top. Dab a little water or flour paste on the last edge to seal it.
Don’t overfill the roll, or it will be hard to close and might burst when cooking. Make sure it’s tight but not stretched. After you finish rolling each one, place it seam-side down and cover with a cloth while you roll the rest.
Frying vs Baking vs Air-Frying
If you want that crispy golden outside, frying is the traditional way. Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F and fry a few spring rolls at a time until they’re golden brown, about 3–4 minutes. Drain them on paper towels to remove extra oil.
If you want to use less oil, baking is a good option. Preheat your oven to 400°F, place the rolls on a baking sheet, brush or spray them with oil, and bake for 20–25 minutes. Flip them halfway through so both sides get crispy.
Air-frying is quick and easy. Set your air fryer to 375°F, lightly coat the rolls with oil, and cook for 10–12 minutes, turning once halfway. You still get a crisp outside, and it’s less messy.
Dipping Sauce Ideas for Chicken Spring Rolls
Chicken spring rolls taste even better with a dipping sauce. Sweet chili sauce is a favorite because it adds a little heat and sweetness. Soy garlic sauce is simple—just mix soy sauce, minced garlic, a splash of vinegar, and a bit of sugar.
If you like nutty flavors, try peanut dipping sauce. Mix peanut butter, soy sauce, garlic, and lime juice for a creamy dip. You can also try hoisin sauce or spicy sriracha mayo for something different.
How to Store and Reheat Chicken Spring Rolls
Once cooked, you can keep spring rolls in the fridge for up to three days. Let them cool completely before storing so they don’t get soggy. Use a container with a lid, and place paper towels inside to absorb moisture.
To reheat, don’t use a microwave—it will make them soft. Use an oven or air fryer at 375°F for a few minutes to bring back the crisp texture.
If you want to freeze them, do it before cooking. Line a tray with parchment paper, place the uncooked rolls on it, and freeze. Once frozen, transfer to a zip bag. You can cook them straight from frozen—just add a few more minutes to the cooking time.
Tips for Meal Prepping Chicken Spring Rolls
Spring rolls are perfect for prepping in advance. You can cook the filling a day or two ahead and keep it in the fridge. Roll the spring rolls when you have time and either fry them right away or freeze them for later.
If you freeze a batch, you’ll always have something quick to cook for a snack or dinner. You can also take them to work and reheat them in an air fryer or toaster oven. They make a great addition to lunchboxes too.
Creative Variations to Try
You don’t have to stick to the same filling every time. Try adding chopped bell peppers, green beans, or mushrooms. A little chili paste or crushed red pepper will make them spicy. You can even make a cheesy version by adding shredded cheese with the chicken.
For a different flavor, use curry powder or add a spoon of hoisin or teriyaki sauce. Want something sweet and spicy? Add pineapple chunks or mango along with jalapeños.
Once you learn the basic method, you can make the filling your own.
What to Serve with Chicken Spring Rolls
These spring rolls go well with lots of other dishes. You can serve them with fried rice, noodles, or a light soup. A side of cucumber salad or coleslaw adds a cool crunch.
If you’re making a full meal, serve the rolls with some steamed rice and stir-fried vegetables. You can also make them part of an appetizer table with dumplings, skewers, and dipping sauces.
Nutrition Facts of Chicken Spring Rolls
A typical fried chicken spring roll has about 150 to 180 calories, depending on the size and filling. It also gives you 6–8 grams of protein. If you bake or air-fry them, the calorie and fat content is lower.
Using lean chicken and lots of vegetables makes them even healthier. Avoid adding too much oil or salt, and choose low-sodium soy sauce if you’re watching your sodium intake.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are Chicken Spring Rolls Healthy?
They can be. If you bake or air-fry them instead of deep frying, and use lean meat and vegetables, they’re a healthy option. They’re lower in calories than most fried snacks, and you can make them with less oil and no added sugar.
Can I Make Chicken Spring Rolls Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can prepare them ahead. You can make the filling, roll them, and store in the fridge for a day or two. Or freeze them uncooked and fry or bake them when needed.
How Do I Keep Spring Rolls Crispy for Hours?
After cooking, place them on a wire rack instead of a plate so the steam doesn’t make them soggy. Don’t cover them with plastic wrap or foil right away. If you’re serving them later, reheat them in an oven or air fryer to bring back the crunch.
Can I Make These Gluten-Free?
Yes, just use gluten-free spring roll wrappers and tamari instead of soy sauce. Most of the filling ingredients like vegetables and chicken are naturally gluten-free.
What’s the Difference Between Spring Rolls and Egg Rolls?
Spring rolls use thin, smooth wrappers and are lighter and crispier. Egg rolls have thick, bubbly wrappers and are usually a bit heavier. The fillings can be similar, but the texture and taste of the wrapper are different.
If you’re ready to try this Easy Chicken Spring Roll Recipe, gather your ingredients and give it a go. Once you taste these homemade rolls, you’ll see how much better they are than anything from the freezer aisle. For more tasty ideas, check out the rest of our recipes at Khalil’s Food.
