Chicken Dumplings: A Simple Recipe for a Flavorful Meal
Are you craving a delicious and comforting meal that's also easy to make? Look no further than these homemade chicken dumplings! This recipe provides a step-by-step guide to creating juicy, flavorful chicken dumplings that are perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. Let's get cooking!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe yields approximately 24 dumplings. Adjust quantities as needed.
For the Chicken Filling:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped carrots
- 1/4 cup chopped celery
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
For the Dumpling Wrappers:
- 24 wonton wrappers (or your preferred dumpling wrapper)
For the Broth (Optional, for serving as soup):
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions: Making the Chicken Dumpling Filling
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Prepare the Vegetables: Finely chop the onion, carrots, and celery. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger. This ensures even cooking and a pleasant texture.
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Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground chicken. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. This step helps remove excess moisture and adds flavor.
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Sauté the Vegetables: Add the onion, carrots, and celery to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger for the final minute.
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Combine Ingredients: Stir in the soy sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, black pepper, and salt. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly. The cornstarch will help bind the filling.
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Cool the Filling: Remove the skillet from the heat and let the chicken filling cool completely before assembling the dumplings. This prevents the wrappers from tearing.
Assembling the Chicken Dumplings
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Prepare Your Work Surface: Lay out your wonton wrappers on a clean, flat surface.
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Fill the Wrappers: Place a spoonful of the cooled chicken filling (about 1 tablespoon) in the center of each wonton wrapper.
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Fold and Seal: There are many ways to fold dumplings! Experiment to find your favorite method. A common method is to fold the wrapper in half to form a semi-circle, then crimp the edges to seal. You can also find numerous tutorials online for creative folding techniques.
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Repeat: Continue until all the filling is used and all the wrappers are filled and sealed.
Cooking the Chicken Dumplings
Method 1: Boiling
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Gently add the dumplings to the boiling water.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the dumplings float to the surface and are cooked through.
Method 2: Pan-frying
- Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Arrange the dumplings in a single layer in the skillet.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.
Method 3: Steaming (for softer dumplings)
- Place the dumplings in a steamer basket over boiling water.
- Cover and steam for 10-12 minutes, or until cooked through.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your delicious chicken dumplings as is, or try these serving suggestions:
- As a soup: Add the cooked dumplings to a flavorful chicken broth (see optional broth ingredients above).
- With a dipping sauce: Serve with soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, or a mixture of both.
- As a side dish: Serve alongside rice, noodles, or your favorite vegetables.
Tips for Success
- Don't overfill the wrappers: This can cause them to burst during cooking.
- Use fresh ingredients: This will result in the best flavor.
- Adjust seasonings to your taste: Feel free to add more or less of any spice or seasoning, as needed.
Enjoy your homemade chicken dumplings! They're sure to be a hit with family and friends. Remember to share your creations and tag us! Happy cooking!
