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Crunchy Chicken Rolls

Featured in Nibbles and bites when hunger strikes.

These golden Southwest-style rolls bring serious flavor to the table. Packed with seasoned chicken, beans, juicy corn, sautéed peppers, fresh spinach, and gooey Monterrey Jack, they’re bold and tasty. Control the heat by adjusting jalapeños, and fry until perfectly crisp. Serve them hot with a creamy avocado ranch dip—perfect for parties or family snacks!
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alicia in the kitchen
Updated on Thu, 10 Apr 2025 14:38:04 GMT
Crispy Southwest Appetizer Rolls Pin it
Crispy Southwest Appetizer Rolls | tasteofsavor.com

These DIY southwest egg rolls pack all the mouthwatering tastes of the popular restaurant treat. Crunchy shells surround a hearty mix of spiced chicken, dark beans, corn kernels, and gooey cheese. The mix of crunchy veggies and zesty spices makes a starter that beats the original, especially when dunked in creamy avocado ranch dip.

These rolls have become a must-have at my parties, getting thumbs up from even the toughest food critics. Their huge success comes from how they blend everyday ingredients in a fun new way.

Essential Elements

  • Egg Roll Wrappers: Found in the cold section at most stores, grab soft, bendy ones
  • Shredded Chicken: Newly cooked and pulled apart gives the best bite and taste
  • Black Beans and Sweet Corn: Delivers that real southwest feel and texture
  • Fresh Jalapeños: Brings just enough kick and true flavor
  • Monterey Jack: Gets all gooey, holding everything together nicely
Crunchy Southwest rolls packed with chicken, beans, and bold tastes. Pin it
Crunchy Southwest rolls packed with chicken, beans, and bold tastes. | tasteofsavor.com

Cooking Steps

Making the Mix:
First, cook chopped red peppers in olive oil till soft. Throw in green onions and jalapeños, cooking till they smell good. Add corn and black beans to warm them up. Sprinkle with southwest spices. Mix in spinach just enough to wilt it.
Putting Them Together:
Place wrapper like a diamond. Put filling just below the middle. Pull bottom corner up over the filling, making it snug. Fold in side corners like an envelope. Keep rolling upward, using water to seal the top corner. Cover finished rolls while working.
Frying Them Up:
Get oil to 375°F. Fry rolls in small groups until they turn golden, about 2-3 minutes each side. Let them drain on a wire rack with paper towels below. Let them cool a bit before eating.

After a few tries, you'll get the hang of rolling these up, so you can focus on getting the seasonings just right and watching the cooking temp.

Wrapping Approach

The trick is handling each wrapper like a tiny burrito, keeping steady pressure as you roll to get that nice shape and good seal.

Tasty Sauces

While avocado ranch works great with these, you might want to try smoky chipotle sauce or fresh green salsa too.

Make-Ahead Plan

Fix and freeze uncooked rolls by laying them out flat until hard, then pack them in freezer boxes for cooking later.

Oven-Baked Option

For a healthier twist, coat with oil and pop in the oven at 375°F for 15-20 minutes until golden and crunchy.

These southwest egg rolls show off the best mix of Asian cooking style with bold Mexican-inspired flavors.

Tasty Overview

Get good at making these rolls and you'll enjoy restaurant-quality snacks at home. That satisfying crunch giving way to yummy filling creates an addictive starter for any get-together.

Restaurant-style Southwest rolls, a tasty starter with Tex-Mex flavors. Pin it
Restaurant-style Southwest rolls, a tasty starter with Tex-Mex flavors. | tasteofsavor.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use the oven instead of frying?
Of course! Bake at 425°F for about 15-20 minutes. Flip them halfway through for even cooking. They won’t be as crispy, but still tasty!
→ Can I make these ahead of time?
Yep! Prep the filling and roll them up earlier. Keep them in the fridge, then fry when you’re ready to serve.
→ Are these rolls spicy?
Your choice! Use less jalapeños for a milder roll, or add extra for a fiery kick.
→ What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Let them cool, then place in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in the oven for a fresh, crispy texture.
→ Can I freeze them?
Absolutely! Assemble the raw rolls, freeze for up to 3 months, and fry directly from frozen. Just cook a bit longer.

Tasty Chicken Rolls

Golden wraps filled with spiced chicken, beans, veggies, and cheese. Dunk 'em into creamy avocado ranch for an addictive combo!

Prep Time
25 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes
By: Alicia

Category: Appetizers

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings (10-12 rolls)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Inside the Egg Roll

01 2 tablespoons of cooking oil
02 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
03 1/2 teaspoon of salt
04 10-12 wrappers for egg rolls
05 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
06 1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced small
07 1/2 cup black beans, rinsed out and drained
08 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
09 1/4 teaspoon cayenne spice
10 1/2 cup corn (canned, frozen thawed, or fresh works)
11 1/3 cup of thawed spinach, chopped small
12 8 ounces of cooked chicken breast, shredded
13 3/4 teaspoon cumin powder
14 Oil for frying
15 1 jalapeño pepper, finely minced
16 3/4 teaspoon chili seasoning

→ Cilantro Avocado Dip

17 1 medium avocado, mashed until smooth
18 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves
19 2 tablespoons of buttermilk
20 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
21 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
22 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of lime juice
23 1/4 teaspoon of salt
24 1/2 cup of ranch dressing

Instructions

Step 01

Heat up some oil in a large skillet and cook the diced red peppers until they're soft. Stir in the spinach, jalapeño, beans, green onions, corn, and spices like cayenne, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Stir it all up for about 3 or 4 minutes until everything softens nicely.

Step 02

Move your cooked veggies into a big mixing bowl. Toss in the cooked shredded chicken, cheese, and minced cilantro. Stir it all around to make sure everything is balanced and ready.

Step 03

Spread an egg roll wrapper on your work surface, pointing one corner toward you. Put a small pile (about 1/4 cup) of filling in the middle. Fold up the corner closest to you, tuck in the sides, and roll it tight. Wet the last corner with water and seal it. Do this for all the wrappers.

Step 04

Get your frying oil to about 375°F (190°C). Fry the egg rolls in smaller batches for about 3 to 4 minutes, until they're crunchy and golden brown. Let them drain on paper towels after frying.

Step 05

Pop the ranch, avocado, lime, buttermilk, chopped cilantro, garlic, salt, and onion powder into a blender. Blend until it’s smooth and creamy. Use it as a dipping sauce with your crispy egg rolls.

Notes

  1. Like spicy food? Toss in extra jalapeño.
  2. The corn can be frozen (and thawed), fresh, or canned—whatever works best for you.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large frying pan
  • Deep fryer or a big pot of oil
  • Blender (or a food processor)
  • Paper towels for soaking up oil

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (cheese, ranch, buttermilk)
  • Contains gluten (egg roll wraps)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~