Vietnamese Summer Rolls with Chicken (Printable Version)
Light rice paper rolls with chicken, vegetables, and herbs served with creamy peanut sauce.
# What You Need:
→ For the Rolls
01 - 8 rice paper wrappers (8.5 inch diameter)
02 - 7 oz cooked chicken breast, thinly sliced
03 - 3.5 oz rice vermicelli noodles
04 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
05 - 1 small cucumber, julienned
06 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
07 - 8 large fresh lettuce leaves (romaine or butter lettuce)
08 - 16 fresh mint leaves
09 - 16 fresh cilantro sprigs
10 - 8 fresh Thai basil leaves
→ For the Dipping Sauce
11 - 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
12 - 2 tbsp creamy peanut butter
13 - 1 tbsp soy sauce
14 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
15 - 2 tsp sugar
16 - 2-3 tbsp warm water
17 - 1 tsp sriracha or chili sauce
18 - 1 tbsp crushed peanuts
# How to Make It:
01 - Cook the rice vermicelli noodles according to package instructions. Drain well, rinse thoroughly under cold water to stop cooking, and set aside to drain completely.
02 - Arrange all prepared vegetables, herbs, cooked chicken, and drained noodles in separate piles within easy reach of your work station.
03 - Fill a large shallow dish with warm water. Submerge one rice paper wrapper for 5-10 seconds until pliable. Transfer to a clean, damp kitchen towel or cutting board.
04 - Position the wrapper with one corner facing you. On the bottom third, place a lettuce leaf followed by small portions of noodles, chicken, carrot, cucumber, bell pepper, mint, cilantro, and Thai basil.
05 - Fold the sides inward toward the center. Starting from the bottom edge, roll upward tightly into a neat cylinder. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
06 - Whisk together hoisin sauce, peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and warm water until completely smooth. Adjust water for desired consistency. Stir in sriracha if using. Top with crushed peanuts.
07 - Present rolls whole or cut diagonally in half. Serve immediately with dipping sauce on the side.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- These rolls capture everything refreshing about summer eating in one handheld package
- The combination of cool vegetables and warm herbs creates flavors that wake up your palate
- Once you master the rolling technique, they become an impressive appetizer for gatherings
02 -
- Work with one wrapper at a time and keep assembled rolls under a damp towel, as rice paper dries out quickly and becomes tough
- Do not oversoak the wrappers or they will tear, but do not undersoak or they will crack when you roll them
03 -
- Use a cutting board instead of a towel for your work surface the first few times until you develop confidence with the rolling motion
- The dipping sauce can be made a day ahead and actually improves as the flavors meld together