Surprisingly easy to make, these fried wontons are stuffed with tasty chicken and shrimp and are far better than your average Chinese restaurant wontons. You’ve never had a fried wonton until you’ve tried a homemade one!
The World’s Most Popular Appetizer
Surprisingly easy to make, homemade fried wontons are far better than your average Chinese restaurant wontons. These fried wontons are perfectly crisp on the outside with perfectly seasoned juicy chicken and shrimp in the inside. Pops of carrots, red onion and herbs add layers of flavor. There is absolutely no reason to wait to make these for a formal party – I often make these crispy, savory bites on weekends for the family at home – its great when binge watching movies or watching the Super Bowl with friends!
Ingredients:
A breakdown of the Fried Wonton filling
The secret behind the delicious texture of the chicken and shrimp filling is that it is slightly frozen, then blended into a paste. The mixture is then thoroughly mixed with a variety of herbs and finely chopped vegetables to add layers of flavor and texture. Soy sauce add a bit of umami, green chili and freshly ground black pepper add heat.
- Boneless dark chicken – I prefer dark chicken because it is more flavorful and juicier than white chicken
- Shrimp – the shrimp adds a delicious umami taste and also a little sponginess to the texture. While fresh raw shrimp is always preferable, I use frozen shrimp from the grocery store as it is much cheaper and also easily accessible.
- Egg – acts as a binder . Use only half an egg as directed for both the filling and the dough . I tried making this with a whole egg and the wontons tasted rather eggy. Adding more egg to the filling makes it too watery.
- Red onion, ginger paste and cilantro – add a little crunch and an herby flavor.
- Finely minced carrot adds a delicious pop of sweetness in the savory mix. The easiest way to mince carrots is to use slice a thick carrot on a mandoline on a medium setting, then slice once then across with a sharp knife. Having finely minced carrots really adds to the flavor of this dish.
- Chili or jalapeno – Indo-chinese recipes use green chilis that are similar to small thai chilis – if you do not have this, you can use finely minced jalapeno or crushed red pepper flakes to add some heat. It’s an optional ingredient.
- Soy sauce – I use an all purpose dark soy sauce because it gives just enough depth to flavor the stuffing without adding too much liquid.
Fried Wonton Dough
The wonton dough uses only four ingredients: water, flour, salt and egg. The recipe calls for only half an egg, with the other half being used in the filling. I threw in a whole egg once and found that it markedly changed the flavor of the wontons – they tasted too ‘eggy’ and also had a puffier and less crispy texture.
How do you make Fried Wontons?
Prepare the chicken and shrimp filling
The best way to do this, is to put the chicken and shrimp directly into the freezer for about 30 minutes so that it freezes a little prior to blending. Blending frozen shrimp and chicken does not work because it creates shrimp and chicken flakes which tastes very different. Another option is to blend frozen shrimp with thawed chicken. In a medium sized bowl, add the shrimp and chicken paste and add the remaining Shrimp and Chicken Stuffing ingredients. Mix well then cover and put into the fridge until ready to use.
Make the wonton dough
In a mixing bowl, add the flour, salt, and egg. Mix while adding a little water at a time until the dough forms into a ball. Knead for about 8-10 minutes until dough is silky and smooth. If you have a stand mixer, knead the dough at a medium setting for about 8 minutes. Cover the dough in an airtight container and let proof for 30 minutes. Divide the dough into about 3 parts. Roll out each ball until it is about 1 mm thick. If using a KitchenAid pasta roller, this setting is level 6. Cut the dough into 3×3 inch squares. Excess dough can be kneaded and made into more squares or cut into slivers and fried. My daughter loves eating the slivers dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar.
Assemble the wontons
Take the shrimp and chicken paste out of the fridge. Imagining a diagonal going across the square, place 1/2 tsp of filling on one side of the center of the diagonal. Fold the dough over from the corner opposite to the diagonal and press down right next to the two sides of place with the paste to seal it in. Fold the dough over one more time and turn it over. Holding the two rolled end, press the tips together forming the wonton shape. Repeat for the remaining squares.
Fry the wontons
In a small pot, Add about 3-4 inches of oil. Heat the oil at high heat for about 10 minutes or until the temperature reaches at least 350°F. The proper frying temperature is critical to ensure that the fried wontons are light and crispy and not greasy. Add 4-5 wontons. Fry the wontons until golden brown – about 3-4 minutes. Repeat with the remaining wontons.
How do you fold a wonton?
Here are the steps to folding wontons:
Step 1: Place the wonton wrapper in front on you in a diamond shape. Place half a teaspoon of filling middle of one side of the wrapper.
Step 2. Fold over the point of the wrapper towards you to the middle of the wrapper and press down.
Step 3: Carefully, roll over and press down on the sides.
Step 4: Slowly, flip over so the flap faces you.
Step 5. Press the two end together into a point.
What to serve with Chicken and Shrimp Fried Wontons?
I love eating these Fried Wontons with Nuoc Cham – Vietnam’s famous sweet, sour, spicy yet refreshingly light dipping sauce. Its also wonderful appetizer by itself or as a side to soup. As a main course, consider our Ultimate Chicken Fried Rice with Chicken Manchurian. Our Mini Blueberry Pies take only 30 minutes so make and paired with ice cream are a wonderful way to end this delicious meal!
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely – both are based on the same context – if the eggroll wrappers are too big – you can cut them into four pieces.
Yes, just drop them in and simmer for a few minutes to make sure that the filling has time to cook through.
Absolutely – a variety of vegetables like water chestnuts and mushroom do really well – just make sure they are finely minced.
Yes – you can heat them up in the oven.
No, just use them directly from the package
The variations on this fried wonton is endless – you can substitute the meat with beef, shredded chicken, turkey or even sausage taken out of its casing.
A dumpling is a small amount of dough that can be prepared using various methods such as boiling, simmering, frying, baking and steaming. Dumplings can be found in many types of regional and cultural cuisines around the world. Examples of dumplings include Italian ravioli, Japanese Gyoza and Polish pierogis.
Wontons are a type of Chinese dumpling. Popular in the southern part of China, wontons are typically boiled and served in soup, steamed or deep fried. The most common fillings include ground pork, shrimp and cheese.
Finally, if you make this recipe
I’d love to hear how it went – please leave a comment and rate this recipe. Above all, I love hearing from all of you and will do my best to answer each and every comment!
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Shrimp and Chicken Fried Wontons
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Medium sized bowl
- Stand mixer, kneading hook, pasta roller (optional)
- Rolling pin (if kneading by hand)
- Small cast iron wok/fryer/ pot – for frying
- Slotted frying ladle
Ingredients
Shrimp and Chicken Stuffing
- 1 cup boneless dark chicken cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup raw shrimp shelled, deveined, no tail
- 1/2 egg
- 2 tbsp red onion finely minced
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro finely minced
- 1/4 cup carrot finely minced
- 2 green chilis finely minced
- 1/4 tsp ginger paste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- pinch salt
Wonton Dough
- 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour and some for dusting
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup water room temperature
- 1/2 egg whisked
Frying the wontons
- 4-6 cups vegetable oil
Dipping Sauce
- 1 cup Nuoc Cham
Instructions
Prepare the shrimp paste
- Put the chicken and shrimp in the freezer to freeze slightly for about half an hour. Blend the cold shrimp and chicken. In a medium sized bowl, add the shrimp and chicken blend and the remaining Shrimp and Chicken Stuffing ingredients – whisked egg, onion, cilantro, chilis, carrots, ginger paste, black pepper, soy sauce and salt. Mix well then cover and put into the fridge until ready to use.
Prepare the wonton dough
- In a mixing bowl, add the flour, salt, and egg. Mix while adding a little water at a time until the dough forms into a ball. Knead for about 8-10 minutes until dough is silky and smooth. . If you have a stand mixer, knead the dough at a medium setting for about 8 minutes. Cover the dough in an airtight container and let proof for 30 minutes.
Assemble the wontons
- Divide the dough into 3 parts. Sprinkle the rolling surface and pin with a little flour and roll the dough out. The rolled dough needs to be about 1 mm thick. Cut the rolled dough into 3×3 inch squares. Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Take the shrimp and chicken paste out of the fridge. Imagining a diagonal going across the square, place 1/2 tsp of filling on one side of the center of the diagonal. Fold the dough over from the corner opposite to the diagonal and press down right next to the two sides of place with the paste to seal it in. Fold the dough over one more time and turn it over. Holding the two rolled end, press the tips together forming the wonton shape. Repeat for the remaining squares.
Frying the wontons
- In a small cast iron wok/fryer or pot, Add about 3-4 inches of oil. Heat the oil at high heat for about 10 minutes or until the temperature reaches at least 350°F. Add 4-5 wontons. Fry the wontons until golden brown – about 3-4 minutes. Repeat with the remaining wontons. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Dipping sauce
The best sauce for these wontons is Nuoc Cham – Vietnam’s famous dipping sauce.Nutrition
The nutrition facts below are estimates from www.verywellfit.com. The serving size assumes that this recipe produces eight servings.
What an absolutely tasty recipe!
Thank you so much Serena!
I love the step by step instructions I have no idea how to do this wonderful culinary food that I love you made this look so simple!
Thank you so much Claudia – I was pretty surprised too – I thought it would be a lot more complicated!
I have seen wonton wrappers in the store but never thought about making them myself. Thanks for the recipe, it looks quite simple.
I was pretty surprised at how wonderful fresh wonton wrappers tasted! Thank you!
These sound like the most perfect wontons! I have never tried making my own so will give these a try!
Please let me know how they turn out!
I love how easily the wontons come together and the step-by-step photos! They sound so amazing with the combination of chicken and shrimp.
Thank you so much Tara! The chicken and shrimp combo is very tasty!
I have a very long list of things I want to learn how to make and wontons are one of them. Love the step-by-step instructions!
Thank you Alice! I was surprised at how easy it was!
Who needs takeout when you can make these at home? Looks delicious! 🙂
Thank you! My favorite part is that I know whats in it…
Yummy! My daughter and I are going go love this recipe! I can’t wait to give this a try! Looks so delicious and wonderful!
Beth – do let me know how it goes – my daughter loves them too!
I could eat wontons all day long – having grown up with these. Looks so tasty!
Thank you! I’ve always loved them but never tried making them myself! Was surprised at how easy it was.
I’ve never made my own fried wontons before, but these sound really good and the folding looks easier than I expected.
I was really surprised too! Thank you!
Looks really tasty. Love that chicken stuffing. SO many flavors that I like. Can’t wait to give this a try
Thank you so much! The stuffing is my favorite part too!
These are my favorite whenever I get takeout, I’ll have to try making them at home soon because it seems pretty approachable.