If you're looking for an idea for a light yet satisfying dinner or a colourful appetiser for a gathering with friends, be sure to try this recipe for chicken and fresh vegetable spring rolls. Not only does this dish taste great, but it also looks stunning on the plate, and when served with a bold cashew sauce, it’s sure to be a hit with everyone. With fresh, seasonal vegetables soon appearing in gardens and markets, this is a recipe worth trying – we’ll certainly be coming back to it.
If you’ve never made spring rolls at home before, don’t worry – it’s really simple! The whole process goes down to preparing the vegetables, frying the chicken, and wrapping them in delicate rice paper. Sounds easy, right? And it really is! Just follow a few straightforward guidelines, and the results will be impressive.
Spring rolls with chicken - tips to make preparation easier
- Soaking the rice paper: use warm water to soak the rice paper. Timing is key – if the paper is soaked for too short a time, it will remain hard and rubbery, but soaking it for too long will cause it to tear when wrapping. I usually soak the paper for about 10 seconds, but I encourage you to test one sheet first and adjust the time to your preference (I've noticed there can be differences between rice papers from different brands).
- Preparing the sauce: a flavourful sauce is the key to success! It’s what ultimately defines the taste of your spring rolls. Personally, I love a sauce made with cashew butter – it’s intense and pairs wonderfully with delicate vegetables and chicken. However, feel free to experiment with different flavours by adding chilli, fresh ginger, or even a bit of honey to give it a sweet and spicy twist. You can also substitute cashew butter with peanut butter for a different but equally delicious taste.
- Customising the recipe to your taste: spring rolls are a dish that can be easily modified in countless ways. You can add your favourite vegetables, such as red cabbage, kohlrabi, or avocado, as well as fresh herbs like coriander, chives, or Thai basil. If you prefer a vegetarian option, simply swap the chicken for tofu. You can also experiment with different types of meat – prawns, pork, beef, or even duck work wonderfully. Each of these meats will give the spring rolls a slightly different, but equally delicious, character.
Can I prepare spring rolls in advance?
Yes, you can prepare spring rolls in advance, but it’s best to eat them within a few hours. Store them in the fridge, but keep in mind that extended storage may cause the vegetables to lose their crunch and the rice paper to become too soft. It’s also important to note that spring rolls may stick together, so make sure to store them properly to prevent this.
If you enjoy these flavours, be sure to try more recipes inspired by Asian cuisine:
Spring rolls with chicken and vegetables
Ingredients
Spring rolls
- 2 carrots
- 1 red pepper
- 1 cucumber (large)
- ¼ small cabbage
- coriander leaves
- 6 rice paper sheets
- 250 g chicken breast
- 1 tbsp oil
- 2 tsp potato starch
- ½ tsp cumin
- salt and black pepper to taste
Peanut sauce
- 2 tbsp cashew butter
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp water
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into strips. Add cumin, potato starch, salt, and pepper, and mix well so the chicken is evenly coated. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a frying pan and cook the chicken until it’s fully cooked. Set aside to cool.
- For the sauce, combine all the ingredients in a small jar. Screw on the lid and shake until well-mixed.
- Cut the peeled carrot and cucumber into matchsticks, and slice the red pepper and cabbage into thin strips.
- Prepare a large dish with warm water that is larger than the rice paper sheets. Soak one sheet of rice paper in the water for a few seconds.
- Place the soaked rice paper onto a wooden board. In the centre, arrange the prepared vegetables, coriander leaves, and strips of chicken. Fold the sides of the rice paper inwards, then roll it up from the bottom edge. Repeat with the remaining rice paper sheets, dividing the ingredients evenly among the 6 sheets.
- Serve the spring rolls with the cashew sauce. Enjoy! Happy rolling! :)
www.goodbalancedfood.com
Did you try this light spring roll recipe? We would love to know what you think!
Tag @goodbalancedfood on Instagram and hashtag it #goodbalancedfood
No Comments