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Best Thai Chicken Dumplings Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 57 reviews

These Best Thai Chicken Dumplings are a flavorful and fun-to-make weeknight meal that combines ground chicken with crunchy peanuts, fresh ginger, red cabbage, and cilantro, all wrapped in delicate wonton wrappers. Pan-fried to achieve crispy bottoms and steamed to tender perfection on top, they’re served with a tangy peanut dipping sauce made from peanut butter, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and fish sauce. This dish offers a healthier alternative to takeout with fresh ingredients and packs a high-protein punch, perfect for a satisfying dinner that feels special yet comes together quickly.

Ingredients

Scale

For the filling

  • 20 wonton wrappers (I use Nasoya brand for easy folding)
  • 8 oz chicken breast (ground or finely minced into 1/8-inch bits)
  • 1/4 cup red pepper, diced
  • 1/3 cup peanuts, toasted and crushed
  • 1/2 cup red cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
  • 3 tbsp garlic, minced
  • 4 tsp sesame oil

For the sauce and garnish

  • 2 tbsp peanut butter (preferably Jif creamy for smoothness)
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp fish sauce
  • 2 tbsp green onions, sliced

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Filling and Mise en Place: Finely mince the chicken into small, uniform 1/8-inch pieces to ensure even cooking and good texture. Dice the red pepper, crush toasted peanuts for crunch, thinly slice the red cabbage, chop cilantro, mince garlic, and grate ginger. Having all ingredients prepped before assembly speeds up the cooking process.
  2. Mix the Dumpling Filling: In a medium bowl, combine diced red pepper, crushed peanuts, red cabbage, cilantro, garlic, and grated ginger with sesame oil. Stir to distribute evenly, then gently fold in the minced chicken until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the filling light. Taste and adjust with soy or fish sauce if needed.
  3. Assemble the Dumplings: Place a wonton wrapper on a clean dry surface and add about 1 tablespoon of filling in the center. Moisten all four edges of the wrapper with water using a fingertip to seal. Fold diagonally into a triangle and press edges firmly to seal out air pockets. For a traditional pouch shape, pinch opposite corners of the triangle together. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling.
  4. Sear and Steam the Dumplings: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and coat the bottom with 2-3 tablespoons of oil. Place dumplings flat-side down in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until bottoms are golden brown and crispy. Carefully pour in 1/4 cup water around dumplings (away from hot oil), cover immediately with a lid, and reduce heat to medium-low. Steam for 5-6 minutes until wrappers are tender and filling is cooked through.
  5. Prepare the Dipping Sauce: While steaming, whisk together peanut butter, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and fish sauce in a small bowl until smooth. Add water if the sauce is too thick to achieve a pourable consistency.
  6. Plate and Serve: Transfer cooked dumplings to a serving plate with the crispy side up. Sprinkle sliced green onions over the top and serve with the warm dipping sauce on the side. Offer lime wedges or extra sauce for guests to customize their taste.

Notes

  • Avoid overfilling dumplings to prevent bursting during cooking; about 1 tablespoon of filling per wrapper is ideal.
  • Ensure dumpling edges are dry before wetting to seal properly and avoid splitting from trapped air pockets.
  • Do not move dumplings during the first few minutes of pan-frying to allow a crispy golden crust to form without tearing.
  • When adding water to steam, pour it to the side of the pan away from hot oil to prevent splattering and cover immediately.
  • Use fresh dumpling wrappers if possible, as they are more pliable and less likely to crack compared to frozen ones.
  • These dumplings can be assembled ahead and refrigerated up to 24 hours before cooking or frozen for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat cooked leftovers by steaming or pan-frying to restore crispiness; microwaving may result in chewier texture.

Keywords: Thai chicken dumplings, homemade dumplings, pan-fried dumplings, peanut dipping sauce, Asian appetizers, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/best-thai-chicken-dumplings-recipe/