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SubscribeWednesday, July 11, 2012
Chinese Spring Rolls with Chicken
How authentic Chinese Spring Rolls* should be: smooth, light, crisp-crackly skin and small enough to enjoy in 4 bites. The filling is also light, full of tender-crisp vegetables and you should be able to taste and distinguish every single ingredient in the filling.
Unfortunately, the only time you can find really awesome Chinese spring rolls are when you make them at home, Chinatown restaurants or at my Mom’s house 
*Spring Rolls or Egg Rolls? Well, either one is fine. Some people call these crispy fried rolls “Spring Rolls” and others, like my Mom, refer to them as “Egg Rolls.” I use both terms. There is no official English term. What are summer rolls? I refer to the uncooked Vietnamese rolls wrapped in rice paper as Summer Rolls, but Diane and Todd call these Spring Rolls! So confusing, right?
I’ve seen too many Chinese-American takeout joints feature massive spring rolls the size of a soda can, a thick, chewy, bubbly textured skin and wet, soggy filling. That’s not good eats.
My Mom’s Chinese Spring/Egg rolls are absolutely on the list of top 5 favorite foods of all time. It’s not something I make often, the deep frying and the time it takes makes it an indulgence. But when I do make spring rolls, I try to make a TON of them because they freeze perfectly and go direct from freezer to fryer.
We’ve made many variations of egg/spring rolls, from pork, shrimp, crawfish, seafood, beef, vegetarian and even with tofu (yum!) I’m sharing my chicken version with you, which is my boys’ filling of choice.
I’ve got lots of technique tips and step by step photos to help you master the very best spring roll that my Mom would be proud of!
How to make Chinese Spring Rolls
The vegetables I’ve chosen to use are cabbage and carrots.
TIP: Do not use a box grater to grate the vegetables, grating releases too much liquid/water. Use either a food processor with thin slicing attachment, a mandoline like I’ve used here (I LOVE this one by Oxo for $15) or shred by knife.
You can julienne cut carrots by hand or use mandoline like this to first get thin slices.
After slicing thin with a mandoline, use knife to thinly slice further into very thin matchsticks. Notice how many times I’ve purposely used the word, “thin.”
Whisk together marinade ingredients for the ground chicken.
Mix with ground chicken.
Saute the ground chicken with just a bit of oil. Then, remove chicken to a bowl and set aside.
Next wipe the wok clean and stir fry the vegetables along with ginger, garlic and green onion.
TIP: Meat and vegetables are cooked separately. This ensures that the meat browns well – and prevents everything from being an overcooked, soggy clump. Meat will taste like meat, and the vegetables will have a crisp, clean flavor.
Add the meat back into the wok.
Add in oyster sauce.
Toss! Toss! Toss!
Let cool on a baking sheet.
TIP: Let the filling cool. Hot filling = steam = makes wrapper wet = not good
TIP: Tilt the baking pan on one side. This lets any extra liquid/juice dribble down, away from the filling, Discard the liquid. Liquid = makes wrapper wet = not good. The drier the filling, the better. You can also blot the filling with a wad of paper towels to get rid of any excess oil.
Here’s my favorite brand of wrapper. It comes frozen, so you’ll have to defrost.
TIP: The best 2 ways to defrost spring roll wrappers: 1-overnight in the refrigerator 2-on the counter for 30 minutes. Once the wrapper are defrosted, open the package and immediately cover with a barely damp towel or paper towel to keep moist. The wrappers will dry out and crack quickly if left uncovered.
TIP: If the wrappers dry out and are stiff, you can put a few wrappers on a plate, cover with a damp towel and microwave on medium for 10 seconds. The wrappers will soften up.
TIP: Good spring roll wrappers are found in Asian markets. These are thin, fry up to a shatteringly thin crispy spring roll. Do not buy spring roll wrappers that you find in regular supermarkets near the produce section (usually refrigerated, next to the tofu). Those “pasta sheets” are way too thick and fry up to a chewy, thick, bubbly, hot mess.
TIP: Keep the spring roll (or egg roll) sheets under barely damp cloth or paper towel. They dry out very easily. If they dry out, they break apart.
See how thin this is? Almost paper thin.
TIP: For the truly fanatical, there are 2 sides to the spring roll wrapper – but you have to look very very carefully. One side is smoother than the other. The smoother side should be outward facing. It’s really not absolutely necessary to even pay attention to this tip unless you a) want to have the very best looking spring roll and b) have good eyesight because the difference is really minor. The smoother side fries up just a tiny bit nicer looking. It’s purely aesthetics. Something my Mom taught me, so I’m teaching you.
Place wrapper like diamond, as shown, on a clean, dry surface. Place 1 tablespoon of filling near corner. No more than that!
TIP: Less filling, the better. Overstuffed spring rolls break apart in the oil. 1 tablespoon is all you need!
Fold over the corner. Roll tight.
Fold over left side.
TIP: Leave no space or air pockets. Air pockets = oil seepage = oily egg roll.
Fold over the other side. No air pockets!
Here are examples of the WRONG WAY TO WRAP.
WRONG: See the right side of the wrapper, how it’s skewing out? See next picture to see how it rolls.
WRONG: That right side that skewed out rolls up like this – giant air pocket will let oil seep in, filling fall out.
The right way: Imagine if you were Martha Stewart folding up her bedsheets. Or a clerk at the Gap folding t-shirts. Or the abs of male Olympic swimmer. Nice, tight and even.
Paint a little cornstarch slurry along the edge – just as if you were lickin’ an envelope. But don’t lick it. Finger paint.
Close it up. See how nice and neat the egg roll is wrapped? No holes, no air pockets. Very Martha Stewart.
Place them seam side down (helps secure the corner so that the corner doesn’t pop out)
Keep them all covered with plastic wrap to prevent drying out. They dry out easily.
TIP: Single layer only. If you put them on top of each other (without layer of plastic wrap between them, they will stick together. You can put another layer of spring rolls on TOP of the plastic wrap (but don’t’ forget to cover them too).
TIP: If you want to freeze spring rolls – freeze them just like this. If you don’t have a freezer this big, then line up the spring rolls on a plate, with plastic wrap between each layer. Freeze. Once frozen, gather up all the spring rolls and put them in a freezer safe plastic bag. They have to freeze in a single layer, not touching. Otherwise, they’ll all stick together. Once they are frozen, you can store them however you want.
When you’re ready to fry, heat up 1 1/2″ of cooking oil (canola, vegetable, rice bran, corn, peanut) to 350F.
TIP: For deep frying, the wider the pot, the more oil you’ll need. But too small of a pot, you’ll only be able to fry a couple of egg rolls at a time. Woks are perfect – the round shape, concave shape means less oil is needed to fill wok.
TIP: Ancient Chinese secret: Stick a wooden chopstick straight down in the oil just like this. If the oil bubbles around the wood, it’s hot enough. If no little bubbles around the chopstick = not hot enough. Mom taught me that. But make sure it’s wood or bamboo chopsticks – plastic ones melt. If you don’t have a wood chopstick, use end of a wooden spatula.
Carefully SLIDE the spring rolls in. Inspect each spring roll for corners that have popped open. Fix with more cornstarch slurry if needed.
Fry a few at a time.
TIP: Wide deep woks or skillets are good. Because of the shape of the wok, you’ll end up using less oil. Buy a wok. (wink!)
TIP: Don’t over-crowd the sprng rolls in the pan. They won’t cook evenly.
Keep turning ‘em to brown evenly. Once they are golden brown, they are done.
Place them on a rack to drain.
Chinese Chicken Spring Rolls Recipe
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon rice wine (or white wine)
freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 pound ground chicken
2 tablespoons cooking oil, divided
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 stalk green onion, chopped
1/2 head of small cabbage (about 8 ounces), shredded
2 carrots, thin julienne cut
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup water
50 spring roll wrappers, defrosted
oil, for deep frying (about 1/2 liter to 1 liter)Directions:
1. In a large bowl, combine the soy sauce, wine, pepper and cornstarch. Add in the chicken and mix well. Let marinate for 10 minutes (or up to overnight in the refrigerator).
2. Heat a wok or large saute pan over high heat. When hot, swirl in just 1 tablespoon of the cooking oil. Stir fry the ground chicken until browned. Remove browned ground chicken from wok to a bowl and set aside.
3. Wipe the wok clean and turn heat to medium. When just starting to get hot, swirl in the remaining cooking oil. Add in the green onion, garlic and ginger and cook for 30 seconds. Take care not to burn these aromatics. Add in the carrots and cabbage. Stir well and turn the heat to medium-high. Stir fry the vegetables for 2 minutes, or until the carrots have softened. Add the cooked chicken back into the wok, stir well. Add in the oyster sauce and toss again. Spread the mixture out on a baking sheet to let cool. Prop up the baking sheet on one end so that any liquid collects on the other side. When the mixture is cool, discard the liquid.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water. This is your slurry. Open the egg roll wrapper package, cover with barely damp towel to prevent drying out.
5. Add 1 tablespoon of filling to egg roll (see photos for instructions) and roll up. Secure with cornstarch slurry. Keep rolled egg rolls covered with plastic wrap to prevent drying.
6. When ready to fry, heat 1 1/2" of oil in a wok or deep, heavy skillet to 350F (see tip in photos if you don't have thermometer). Carefully slide in the egg rolls, a few at a time, to the oil to fry. Turn the egg rolls occassionally to brown evenly and fry for about 3 minutes. Let cool on rack. Repeat with remaining.
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Yes, yes yes! This is exactly what we’re looking for in an egg roll: cute and crispy! Not as big and soft as a matress.
Do you think this would work with wonton wrappers? I have extra ones that I bought from my local asian market. If so I see some mini spring rolls calling my name this weekend!
SteamyKitchen replied: — July 11th, 2012 @ 2:29 pm
Hi Kat- most wonton wrappers are too small and thick to make decent mini egg rolls (but you can certainly try!) You’re better off making the filling, then folding the wonton wrapper in a triangle and sealing it instead of trying to roll them up.
Wow! These look better than take out for sure
So crispy and so flavorful… good job 
Oh wow….Jaden, these look AMAZING!! And I love your step by step photos. You make it look so easy. Now I have another thing to add to my kitchen list….a WOK!
My sister in law makes spring rolls that everyone loves. I can’t wait to try your recipe. My hubby will LOVE these.
These look lovely – they’re officially on my to-do list
Thanks for yet another great recipe!
Aaaaah, memory lane! I want like 46,000 right now.
Wonderful! Thanks so much~~ I know I can trust your recipe and technique!
I agree with Bev, the memories! We call the uncooked rice paper ones spring rolls too.
Your spring rolls look amazing and I love that you made them with chicken!
These look absolutely incredible Jaden, and it’s not even 8 am yet. Crap, now I’m really hungry. Thanks a lot!!
xoxo
Cheri
i’ve made these egg rolls several times now and i’m always sad when the last one is eaten. i really can’t get enough of these! the last time i whipped up a batch i added mifun noodles. love <3 thanks so much for sharing!
Absolutely fantastic post! If I make a big enough batch and eat like 15 at once, does that count as an entree?
I love dropping by to drool over your latest creations and today I’m featuring this post in Food Fetish Friday (with a link-back and attribution). I hope you have no objections and it’s always a pleasure following you…
Recipe looks great. One question, what is the best substitute for the oyster sauce?
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Oh…these are exactly like the ones my mom made growing up. I can’t seem to find the time to make them…with 5 kids running around. Can’t you just come to my house and make some for me instead?
Love your site and recipes Jaden!
This is such a classic favorite. We love Chinese spring rolls so much that we take it for granted it’s always in our freezer. From now on, if friends ask me how to make it, I’ll just direct them to your site.You made it seem so easy and delish! Thanks for sharing, Jaden!
I’ve asked this question so many times and I’ve received as many different explanations. One answer: egg rolls use an egg based wrapper, spring rolls use a rice based wrapper, and summer rolls or fresh rolls are the un-fried ones. Another answer: spring rolls are vegetarian and egg rolls have some meat in them. And yet another answer: spring rolls are Vietnamese and egg rolls are Chinese, but each culture has adapted their own versions. Who really knows, I just know they are all tasty. These look yummy! Thanks.
these are just like the lumpia my Filipino friend makes–now I can make them!
What a great tutorial! I love these at restaurants, it’s time to make my own
These look amazing and I love you step by step instructions. You make it looks so easy.
I will be making these for sure! YUUUUUUMMMMMMMM!!!!
Jaden you roll a beautiful spring roll.
This recipe looks like fun to try. Just one question, though. I am not very adept in the kitchen and I was wondering; after you freeze the spring rolls, do you need to thaw them before frying them? If you need to thaw them, what is the best way?
SteamyKitchen replied: — July 17th, 2012 @ 10:07 am
Very carefully slide the frozen roll into oil and add an extra minute or so to frying time
I will admit, I am a sucker for sweet and sour sauce with my spring rolls (which btw…these look fantastic!!!) Do you have a sweet and sour sauce recipe you could share?
Great post, Jaden! Thank you for sharing this detailed recipe!
Thx for the recipe! My daughter wants to know why they’re called egg rolls when there are no eggs in it. Do you know?
Whoa! Those look fantastic. One commenter mentioned that these are very similar to lumpia and she is absolutely right. On a side note you have to be one of the best food photographers blogging.
wow, very detailed with great instructional steps, thanks! they look fantastic too.
Oh Spring Roll, you were my First Love
Then I cheated on you and went over to Wontons
It was Handsome and crunchy too
I should have known it would never last
Those fried chicken wings, they beckons…come come… cross the road!
And that was the end of me
SteamyKitchen replied: — July 23rd, 2012 @ 9:45 am
your poem made my morning!!!
All I can say is YUM! Loving your step by step instructions!
This recipe is perfect for an upcoming gathering. Thank you for sharing. Plus, I enjoy your writing style. Entertaining blog.
A million thanks for this recipe. There are no Asian restaurants in my area that serve spring rolls, so I used to buy the frozen kind. I can’t find those anymore now. I’ve made homemade spring rolls before, but didn’t like how many it made at a time. I’ve often wondered about making a lot and freezing them so I can eat them whenever I want. This recipe is perfect. I can’t wait to make them.
This was the recipe I was looking for. My neighbor brought me a huge plate of them one day and they were so amazing I begged her to show me how to make them. But then we both moved before that happened, I was so bummed.
I’m making these soon, my daughter has been asking for me to try these ever since we tasted them.
Thanks!!
-Gina-
With your Step by Step with photos instructions, you can never go wrong, your spring rolls, we call them “lumpia” looks so perfect.
Jaden,
Thank you for such an informative post! Sadly, I just so happened to use the wrappers you suggest NOT to, and you were right – a bubbly gooey, oily mess
My question now is what are those wrappers for, if not for frying spring rolls? Any tips for how to use up the rest of the package?
Thank you!
Just made some spring rolls to your recipe…. PERFECT! I live in Asia so this must be some kind of fantastic compliment!
Thank you very much for this receipe with very detail instruction steps. I just make the spring roll today it so easy and bring it to my daughter nursery school. Those parents and kids are love it so much.
Thank you, Jaden.
Just tried your recipe and I had to come back and thank you. It was my first time making spring rolls and they turned out perfect!
These look sooo good! I was wondering though if you can bake them?
Hey Jaden,
Its very informative and easy way for learners (who are heading baby steps in cooking)
Could you help me with the procedure how to make Spring Roll Wrapper/sheet at home?
I wish you would reply soon
Regards,
Divya
Jaden this is sooo good
and easy way of understanding could you help me with few soup recipes!!!
This was soooooo helpful! i’ve made crab wontons before, but i’m disappointed often. “Take your time” is the lesson i should have learned! Thank you! Great article, great photos, great tips!