Chicken Egg Rolls Recipe (Just like Panda Express!)

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 Inspired by the Panda Express chicken egg roll recipe, these chicken egg rolls are crispy, golden brown and full of flavor.

Egg rolls are the best things about a Chinese takeout meal! And now you can make your favorite Chinese takeout right in your own kitchen.

These egg rolls are made with lean ground chicken, fresh vegetables, ginger and garlic, all inside a perfect little wrapper.

Swapping lean chicken breast for ground pork saves a lot of fat and calories. But don’t worry, we’re still deep frying these little guys to give them that authentic egg roll texture. 

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these crispy chicken egg rolls: 

• Ground chicken. You could also substitute 99% lean ground turkey if desired. 
• Egg roll wrappers. You can find them in most grocery stores in the frozen food section.
• Shredded cabbage. Napa cabbage is a little more expensive than green cabbage, but it’s more delicate and cooks down faster. Either one works. 
• Carrots. If you can find them pre-cut into matchsticks, even easier. If not, cut them into matchsticks yourself. 
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Green onions
• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar

How to Make Chicken Egg Rolls

Make the Filling

​First, cook the veggies until they’re soft and tender. The garlic, ginger, scallions, cabbage and carrots should be softened before you add the ground chicken. 

Then, add the ground chicken and use a potato masher to break it into very small pieces. 

Wait until the flavorful filling is cool enough to handle before you assemble the egg rolls. 

Assemble the Egg Rolls

Start by laying an egg roll wrapper on a flat surface in the shape of a diamond, with one corner pointing towards you. Moisten the top corner with a little bit of water. 

Place the chicken filling in the bottom corner, closest to you.

Then, gently roll the wrapper over the filling, tucking the filling in as you go. Stop to fold the right and left corners over the filling, and then finish rolling. Seal the egg roll with the top corner that you moistened with water. 

Arrange all of your egg rolls, seam side down, until you’re ready to fry them. 

Fry the Egg Rolls

Heat at least 1/2 inch of oil over medium-high heat. Because the filling is already cooked, our goal is to get the egg roll wrappers golden brown and get them out of the oil before it has a chance to seep inside. The key to doing this right is having your oil hot enough. 

If you have a kitchen thermometer, shoot for a frying temperature of 350 degrees. If not, set the burner to medium-high.

Place the egg rolls into the hot oil and fry, flipping so that both sides become a deep golden brown color. Remove the egg rolls to a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Blot the egg rolls with paper towels to absorb any excess oil. 

 

Serving Suggestions

1. Dipping Sauces: Chicken egg rolls are a great snack when served with a classic sweet and sour sauce, sweet chili sauce, teriyaki sauce or spicy peanut dipping sauce.
2. Side Dishes: Pair these egg rolls with steamed white or brown rice or even fried rice. Include a simple Asian-inspired slaw with cabbage, bean sprouts and a light sesame dressing.
3. Vegetable Garnishes: Amp up the veggie content by serving stir-fried vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, and snap peas with your egg rolls. Sprinkle chopped green onions or cilantro over the egg rolls for added freshness.
4. With a Main Dish: Make these egg rolls an appetizer for a main meal of shrimp mei fun, string bean chicken or ginger sesame noodles.

What can you use instead of egg roll wrappers? 

Although egg roll wrappers are widely available in most grocery stores, if you can’t find them, try using spring roll wrappers instead. They’ll be more delicate, but roughly the same size. 

You could also use wonton wrappers but they’ll be smaller, so use half the amount of filling and you can make mini egg rolls. 

Alternative Cooking Methods

Baking: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Place the egg rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Lightly brush the egg rolls with oil or coat them with cooking spray to help them crisp up. Bake for 15-20 minutes, turning them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.

Air Frying: Preheat your air fryer to around 375°F. Lightly coat the egg rolls with oil or cooking spray. Arrange the egg rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching (you may have to do it in small batches). Cook for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden and crispy.

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How to Store Chicken Egg Rolls

Store leftover egg rolls in a tightly sealed freezer bag or airtight container. 

Although they don’t reheat particularly well, your best case scenario is to reheat them in the oven or air fryer to try to restore some of their crispy texture. 

​When you make these Panda Express chicken egg rolls, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a rating or leave a comment below. Enjoy! 

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For more Chinese takeout recipes, try these:

• Easy Cream Cheese Rangoon Recipe (Panda Express Copycat)
• Shrimp Mei Fun Recipe (Singapore Rice Noodles)
• String Bean Chicken Recipe