Chinese Chicken Dumplings

Chinese dumplings have been a beloved staple for centuries, traditionally served at family gatherings and during Lunar New Year as a symbol of wealth, togetherness and good fortune. While many classic versions have a pork filling, dumplings are endlessly adaptable, with proteins, seasonings and cooking methods varying by region and by household. This recipe for steamed Chinese chicken dumplings features a lighter ground chicken filling that’s folded by hand into tender wrappers with those signature pleats.

Don’t let the wrapping intimidate you. Getting the folds right may seem daunting, but practice makes perfect. Once you get the rhythm, homemade dumpling recipes are part cooking, part craft, and entirely worth it when you taste that first juicy bite. And even if they look a little wonky, they’re still guaranteed to be tasty. Whether steamed, pan-fried or simmered in broth, this Asian chicken dumpling recipe is worthy of better-than-takeout status.

Ingredients for Chinese Chicken Dumplings

• Ground chicken: The dumpling filling uses ground chicken instead of pork. Most ground chicken hovers around 90% to 96% lean; more fat equals more flavor, but you can use any ground chicken for this recipe.
• Aromatics: The dumpling filling includes aromatics like chopped green onions and fresh ginger.
• Cabbage: Chopped fresh green cabbage goes into the filling, while the outer whole leaves line the steamer basket to prevent the dumplings from sticking as they cook. Keep at least four whole leaves intact.
• Seasonings: For these dumplings, use salt and Chinese five-spice powder, a savory-sweet mix of aniseed, fennel, cinnamon, cloves, and black or Sichuan peppercorns.
• Wrappers: You will need a 10-ounce package of round pot sticker or gyoza wrappers to make this Asian chicken dumpling recipe.
• Reduced-sodium soy sauce: Serve these Chinese chicken dumplings with soy sauce for dipping. Use your favorite variety or try one of our picks for the best soy sauce.

Directions

Step 1: Make the filling

Add the ground chicken, green onions, chopped cabbage, cilantro, ginger, salt and Chinese five spice to the bowl of a food processor. Cover it and process the ingredients until they’re finely chopped. Add 2 tablespoons of water, then cover the bowl and process the ingredients until they’re blended.

Editor’s Tip: Add the water one tablespoon at a time to get the right consistency. It should be smooth and sticky, but not so mushy you can’t easily scoop it into the dumpling wrappers.

Step 2: Form the dumplings

Place 1 tablespoon of the chicken mixture in the center of one wrapper.

Moisten the edges with water. Fold the wrapper over the filling to form a semicircle. Press the edges firmly to seal them together, pleating the front side into three to five folds. While holding the sealed edges, stand each dumpling on an even surface and press them down to flatten the bottom. Repeat the process with the remaining wrappers and filling. Cover the dumplings with storage wrap.

Editor’s Tip: Keeping the wrappers covered with a damp paper towel keeps them from drying out and makes it easier to fold and pleat them.

Step 3: Steam the dumplings

Line a steamer basket with four cabbage leaves. Arrange the dumplings in batches 1 inch apart over the cabbage. Place them in a large saucepan over 1 inch of water. Bring the water to a boil.

Cover and steam the dumplings for 10 to 12 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into them reads 165°F. Discard the cabbage. Repeat the process with the rest of the dumplings. Serve them with soy sauce.

Editor’s Tip: Although it might be tempting, don’t skip the cabbage leaves. They help to prevent the dumplings from sticking to the steamer as they cook.

Chinese Chicken Dumplings Variations

• Switch up the sauce: While we serve these dumplings with a simple soy sauce, you can easily mix up the flavors by choosing a different sauce or by adding minced ginger, garlic or red pepper flakes to the soy sauce. Other Asian sauces that would be tasty dippers include Sriracha, hoisin, sweet and sour sauce or chili crisp.
• Mix up the meat: Swap the ground chicken for ground turkey or ground pork. Or skip the meat entirely and swap in crumbled tofu or more veggies, such as water chestnuts, carrots and mushrooms, and fresh herbs like chives.

How to Store Chinese Chicken Dumplings

To store leftover Chinese chicken dumplings, first allow them to cool to room temperature. Then transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to two days.

How should you reheat Chinese chicken dumplings?

To reheat Chinese chicken dumplings, place them on a microwave-safe plate, sprinkle them with a bit of water, then heat them in the microwave until they’re warmed through.

Can you freeze Chinese chicken dumplings?

To freeze uncooked or cooked Chinese chicken dumplings, place the sealed dumplings on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper or parchment paper and flash-freeze them until they’re solid, 30 to 60 minutes. Then transfer the dumplings to a freezer-safe bag or container and store them in the freezer for up to three months. You can make uncooked dumplings from frozen; just add 6 to 8 minutes to the cooking time. To reheat already-cooked dumplings, simply microwave them with a little bit of water or reheat them on the stovetop.

Chinese Chicken Dumplings Tips

How can you pan-fry Chinese chicken dumplings?

To pan-fry Chinese chicken dumplings, heat 1 tablespoon of canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange the dumplings in the pan, flat-side down, making sure not to crowd the pan. (You will need to pan-fry the dumplings in several batches.) Cook them until the bottoms are golden brown, one to two minutes. Slowly add 1/3 cup of water or broth, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook them, uncovered, until the water is absorbed and the filling is cooked through, two to three minutes.

What else can you serve with Chinese chicken dumplings?

These Chinese dumplings with chicken are a tasty way to start a take-out-inspired meal. We recommend serving alongside some of our favorite Chinese takeout copycat recipes, such as beef orange stir-fry, kung pao chicken or cashew chicken. End the meal with tasty Chinese almond cookies or classic Chinese American fortune cookies.