Chinese Chicken Dumplings – Crispy, Juicy, and Flavorful

These Chinese Chicken Dumplings are crispy on the bottom and packed with a juicy, flavorful filling made from ground chicken, vegetables, and seasonings. Perfect for any occasion, they make a great snack, appetizer, or meal. Not only are they perfect for Chinese New Year and other festivals, but you can easily make them ahead of time and freeze them for later. These dumplings are so versatile and delicious that they’re sure to become a household favorite.

Why You’ll Love These Chinese Chicken Dumplings

These dumplings are a perfect blend of crispy and juicy textures. The filling combines the savory flavors of ground chicken, ginger, green onions, and sesame oil, while the dumpling wrappers turn golden brown and crispy when pan-fried. They’re great for meal prep, as you can make a large batch and freeze them for later, making them a perfect weeknight dinner or snack. With a simple dipping sauce or homemade chili oil, these dumplings are an irresistible treat!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Dumpling Filling:

• 1/2 lb ground chicken

• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce (or soy sauce)

• 2 teaspoons grated ginger

• 4 green onions, minced

• 1 small carrot, grated (about 4 oz / 110 g)

• 1/2 cup canned corn, drained (or frozen corn, thawed and drained)

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

For Assembly:

• 1 pack dumpling wrappers

• 1 tablespoon peanut oil (or vegetable oil for pan frying)

Dipping Sauce Options:

• Chinkiang vinegar

• Dumpling dipping sauce

• Homemade chili oil

How to Make Chinese Chicken Dumplings

1. Make the Dumpling Filling:

• Add ground chicken to a large mixing bowl. Pour in the light soy sauce. Mix with chopsticks until the liquid is fully absorbed and the chicken becomes sticky. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it marinate in the fridge while you prepare the other ingredients.

• Add the grated ginger, minced green onions, grated carrot, corn, salt, cornstarch, and sesame oil to the chicken mixture. Stir everything well until combined.

2. Assemble the Dumplings:

• Set up a small bowl of water to help seal the dumpling wrappers.

• Place a dumpling wrapper on a flat surface. Wet the edges of the wrapper with water.

• Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the chicken filling and place it in the center of the wrapper.

• Hold the wrapper with one hand and fold the edges together with the other hand to seal the dumpling. Press the edges well to ensure they are tightly sealed. (You can use any folding technique you’re comfortable with, whether it’s a pleated style or simple half-moon shape.)

• As you make the dumplings, cover the wrappers and finished dumplings with a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying out.

3. Freeze the Dumplings (Optional):

• If you’re not cooking the dumplings immediately, you can freeze them for later. Arrange the assembled dumplings in a single layer on a baking tray lined with plastic wrap.

• Once frozen, transfer the dumplings to a gallon zipper bag for easier storage in the freezer. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month.

4. Cook the Dumplings:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot.

• Add the dumplings to the skillet in batches. Add 2 tablespoons of water and cover the skillet to steam the dumplings. Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes until the dumplings are cooked through.

• Uncover the skillet and continue cooking the dumplings for another 2-3 minutes until the bottom side turns golden and crispy.

• If you’re cooking frozen dumplings, follow the same steps but cook the covered dumplings for about 4 minutes before uncovering to crisp the bottom.

5. Serve:

• Serve the dumplings immediately with your choice of Chinkiang vinegar, dumpling dipping sauce, or a drizzle of homemade chili oil for an extra kick.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 4 to 6 servings (approximately 24 dumplings)

• Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

• Cook Time: 15 minutes

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Variations

• Vegetarian Dumplings: You can substitute the ground chicken with finely chopped vegetables such as mushrooms, cabbage, and tofu for a vegetarian option.

• Spicy Dumplings: Add some chopped fresh chilies to the filling for a spicy kick.

• Dipping Sauce Options: Try different dipping sauces like soy sauce with a dash of sesame oil or a garlic-based dipping sauce for variety.

Storage and Reheating

• Storage: Store leftover cooked dumplings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

• Reheating: Reheat cooked dumplings in a skillet with a little oil to restore their crispy texture, or steam them for a softer result.

• Freezing: Freeze uncooked dumplings as mentioned above for up to 1 month. Cook directly from frozen when you’re ready to eat, adding a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time.

FAQs

How do I know when the dumplings are fully cooked?

The dumplings should be golden brown on the bottom, and when you cut one open, the filling should be fully cooked and no longer pink.

Can I bake the dumplings instead of pan-frying them?

While the dumplings are traditionally pan-fried, you can bake them in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven on a baking sheet for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through for an even golden color.

How do I fold dumplings?

You can fold dumplings in many different ways. The simplest method is to fold the wrapper in half to form a half-moon shape and pinch the edges together. Alternatively, you can fold them pleated-style by creating small folds along the edge and pinching them together.

Conclusion

These Chinese Chicken Dumplings are a fun and delicious way to enjoy a homemade snack or meal. With their juicy filling and crispy exterior, they’re sure to be a hit at any gathering. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or for a quick weekday treat, these dumplings are as versatile as they are tasty. Plus, they freeze well, so you can always have a batch on hand for a quick meal!

Chinese Chicken Dumplings – Crispy, Juicy, and Flavorful

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• Author: Amelia
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

These Chinese Chicken Dumplings (鸡肉) are crispy, juicy, and packed with a savory ground chicken filling, vegetables, and aromatic seasonings. Perfect for celebrations or as a delicious weekday snack, these dumplings can be made ahead of time and frozen for later. Pair them with a tangy dipping sauce for an unforgettable meal.

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Ingredients

For the Dumpling Wrappers:

1 pack dumpling wrappers

For the Filling:

1/2 lb ground chicken

1 tablespoon light soy sauce (or soy sauce)

2 teaspoons grated ginger

4 green onions, minced

1 small carrot, grated (4 oz / 110 g)

1/2 cup canned corn, drained (or frozen corn, thawed and drained)

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon white pepper

1 tablespoon sesame oil

For Cooking:

Peanut oil (or vegetable oil for pan frying)

Dipping Sauce Options:

Chinkiang vinegar

Dumpling dipping sauce

Homemade chili oil

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Instructions

Make the Dumpling Filling:

In a large bowl, add the ground chicken. Pour in the light soy sauce. Mix using chopsticks until the liquid is fully absorbed and the meat becomes sticky.

Cover the mixture with plastic wrap and marinate in the fridge while preparing the other ingredients.

(Optional) If using homemade dumpling wrappers, start preparing the dough now.

Prepare the Filling:

Add the grated ginger, minced green onion, grated carrot, drained corn, salt, cornstarch, and sesame oil to the marinated ground chicken.

Stir everything together until the mixture is well combined.

Assemble the Dumplings:

Prepare a small bowl of water.

Wet the edges of a dumpling wrapper with water. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the chicken filling and place it in the center of the wrapper.

Fold the wrapper and seal the edges, pinching tightly to avoid any filling leakage.

You can fold the dumplings any way you prefer, but make sure to seal them well.

Cover the wrappers and assembled dumplings with a wet paper towel to prevent them from drying out.

Freeze the Dumplings (Optional):

If not cooking immediately, freeze the assembled dumplings.

Place them onto a baking tray and cover with plastic wrap. Store in the freezer for up to 1 month. Once fully frozen (about a day), transfer to a gallon zipper bag to save freezer space.

Cook the Dumplings:

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot.

Add the dumplings to the skillet. Pour 2 tablespoons of water into the pan and cover.

Cook for 2-3 minutes until the dumplings are cooked through.

Uncover and continue cooking until the bottom side turns golden and crispy.

If cooking frozen dumplings, follow the same process, but cook the covered dumplings for 4 minutes before uncovering.

Serve:

Serve the dumplings immediately with dipping sauces like Chinkiang vinegar, dumpling dipping sauce, or homemade chili oil.

Notes

Freezing Tips: Dumplings can be frozen and stored for up to 1 month. Make sure they are fully frozen before transferring to bags to avoid sticking.

Dipping Sauce: For a more intense flavor, make your own homemade chili oil or serve with Chinkiang vinegar for a tangy contrast.

Filling Options: Customize the filling with other vegetables or proteins, such as shrimp or pork, to suit your tastes.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: No Bake, Pan Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese