Vietnamese Chicken Summer Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce Recipe
Introduction
Vietnamese Summer Rolls with Chicken are a fresh, light, and flavorful dish perfect for a quick lunch or snack. These rolls combine tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and fragrant herbs wrapped in delicate rice paper, served with a creamy peanut dipping sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 cup thin rice vermicelli noodles
- 6 (8.5 inch) rice wrappers
- 1 medium cucumber, julienned
- 1 medium carrot, julienned
- 1/4 cup fresh basil or cilantro, chopped
- 1 cup chicken breast, cooked
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce (or black bean sauce)
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1/2 tablespoon honey (or granulated sugar)
- 1 tablespoon roasted peanuts, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a pot of water to a boil over high heat and add vermicelli noodles. Cook for 2 minutes until soft. Transfer the noodles to a bowl with a strainer to completely drain out any water.
- Step 2: Fill a large shallow bowl with warm water, about 1 to 2 inches high. Take one rice wrapper at a time and quickly dip it into the warm water for one second, or according to package directions. Shake off excess water. The wrapper will start to soften and feel a bit sticky. Transfer the wrapper onto a clean dry flat surface.
- Step 3: Place some cucumbers and carrots in the center of the rice wrapper into a log shape, leaving 2 inches of space on each side. Top with about 2 tablespoons of vermicelli noodles, a few basil leaves, and 2-3 tablespoons of chicken.
- Step 4: Roll the wrapper up tightly from the bottom but gently so that you don’t tear it. Roll it up halfway over top of the noodles. Then fold over the left and right sides inward. Then continue to tightly roll the wrapper to seal the mixture inside. If the wrapper doesn’t feel soft and pliable, apply some water to your fingers and to the wrapper to help it soften.
- Step 5: Make the peanut sauce by combining hoisin sauce, peanut butter, water, lime juice, and honey. Stir well with a spoon until smooth and uniform. Sprinkle some chopped roasted peanuts on top.
Tips & Variations
- Use fresh herbs like mint or cilantro to enhance the flavor.
- Replace chicken with shrimp or tofu for a different protein option.
- Adjust the sweetness or tanginess of the peanut sauce by adding more honey or lime juice to taste.
- Serve immediately for the best texture, as rice wrappers can become sticky if left to sit too long.
Storage
Store unused summer rolls in an airtight container lined with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out. Keep refrigerated and consume within 1 day for best freshness. Reheat is not recommended as the rice wrappers soften and lose their texture; enjoy them cold or at room temperature instead.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare these summer rolls in advance?
You can prepare the ingredients ahead of time, but it’s best to assemble the rolls just before serving to maintain the wrapper’s texture and freshness.
What can I use if I don’t have hoisin sauce?
Black bean sauce is a good substitute. Alternatively, you can mix soy sauce with a bit of sugar and garlic to mimic the sweet and savory flavor.
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Vietnamese Chicken Summer Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Vietnamese Summer Rolls with Chicken are a fresh and healthy appetizer featuring soft rice wrappers filled with vermicelli noodles, julienned vegetables, fresh herbs, and tender chicken breast. Served with a creamy, tangy peanut hoisin dipping sauce, these rolls offer a delightful balance of flavors and textures in just 20 minutes, perfect for a light meal or party snack.
Ingredients
Summer Rolls
- 1 cup thin rice vermicelli noodles
- 6 (8.5 inch) rice wrappers
- 1 medium cucumber, julienned
- 1 medium carrot, julienned
- 1/4 cup fresh basil or cilantro, chopped
- 1 cup chicken breast, cooked and shredded
Peanut Dipping Sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce (or black bean sauce)
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1/2 tablespoon honey (or granulated sugar)
- 1 tablespoon roasted peanuts, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Noodles: Bring a pot of water to a boil over high heat and add the vermicelli noodles. Cook for 2 minutes until soft. Drain thoroughly by transferring the noodles to a bowl with a strainer to remove all water.
- Soften Rice Wrappers: Fill a large shallow bowl with warm water, about 1 to 2 inches deep. Dip one rice wrapper at a time into the water for about one second or according to package directions. Shake off excess water. The wrapper should soften and feel sticky. Lay it flat on a clean, dry surface.
- Add Fillings: Place a small amount of julienned cucumber and carrot in the center of the wrapper in a log shape, leaving around 2 inches of space on each side. Add approximately 2 tablespoons of cooked vermicelli noodles on top, then a few fresh basil or cilantro leaves, followed by 2-3 tablespoons of cooked chicken breast.
- Roll the Summer Roll: Roll the wrapper up tightly but gently from the bottom, covering the noodles halfway. Fold the left and right sides inward over the filling, then continue rolling tightly to seal the roll. If the wrapper feels stiff or tears, moisten your fingers and the wrapper slightly with water to soften it.
- Make Peanut Sauce: In a small bowl, combine hoisin sauce, peanut butter, water, fresh lime juice, and honey. Stir until smooth and well blended. Sprinkle chopped roasted peanuts on top as garnish.
- Serve: Serve the summer rolls fresh with the peanut dipping sauce alongside.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs like basil or cilantro for authentic flavor and freshness.
- You can substitute cooked shrimp or tofu for chicken to make this dish pescatarian or vegetarian.
- Be careful not to over-soak the rice wrappers to prevent tearing.
- The dipping sauce can be adjusted for sweetness or tanginess by varying honey and lime juice amounts.
- For best results, serve summer rolls immediately after rolling to avoid wrappers drying out.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Keywords: Vietnamese summer rolls, chicken summer rolls, fresh spring rolls, vermicelli rolls, peanut sauce, healthy appetizer, no-cook rolls
