What is Chicken Lumpia?

Lumpia are a type of spring roll widely popular in Filipino and Indonesian cuisine. While there are countless variations across Southeast Asia, chicken lumpia, often inspired by Filipino Lumpiang Shanghai, stands out for its savory chicken and vegetable filling. Unlike many commercial spring rolls you might find in supermarkets or even some restaurants, homemade lumpia allows for a rich, flavorful filling packed with quality ingredients you can actually recognize. Often, purchased spring rolls can disappoint with their mushy, unidentifiable contents and a greasy feel.

Our homemade chicken lumpia recipe ensures a satisfyingly meaty and veggie-filled bite every time, encased in a perfectly crisp wrapper. You’ll avoid that oily mouthful often associated with poorly made versions. The best part? Spring roll wrappers are readily available in most Asian grocery stores or even large supermarkets. The filling comes together quickly, and with a bit of practice, you can easily roll dozens of these delicious snacks in about half an hour. I always make a large batch and freeze most of them – it’s perfect for a quick snack or appetizer anytime! (Though I can rarely resist tasting a few right after making them, just to ensure they’re perfect, of course! 😉)

If you’re a fan of spring rolls and enjoy experimenting with different fillings, you’re in luck! I have more delicious recipes to explore, including Spring rolls with ground beef and chicken, delightful mini spring rolls perfect for the air fryer, and even a unique vegetarian spring roll with cheese and cauliflower. Each offers a distinct flavor profile, but all share that beloved crispy texture.

Key Ingredients for Savory Chicken Lumpia

To prepare these exceptional Chicken Lumpia, you’ll need a selection of fresh and flavorful ingredients. The precise measurements can be found in the comprehensive recipe card at the bottom of this page. Here’s a closer look at what makes this filling so delicious:

• Chicken Breast: We use chicken breast for its lean texture, cut into small cubes for even cooking. Chicken breast fillets or even ground chicken can also be used for convenience or a slightly different texture.
• Leek: This elegant vegetable adds a delicate, sweet, and tender flavor to the filling. Slicing it very thinly ensures it blends seamlessly into the mixture and cooks through quickly.
• Carrot: Washed, peeled, and cut into julienne strips (wafer-thin matchsticks), carrots provide a subtle sweetness, vibrant color, and a pleasant crunch. Their thin preparation guarantees they become tender as the lumpia fries.
• Mung Bean Vermicelli (Glass Noodles): An essential component of many Asian spring rolls, these semi-transparent, thin noodles are made from mung beans. They absorb the flavors of the filling beautifully and contribute a unique, slightly chewy texture that is unmistakable in a traditional spring roll.
• Oyster Sauce: This dark brown, dense Cantonese sauce is a true umami powerhouse in our lumpia. Made from fermented soy sauce and flavored with oyster juice, caramel, and salt, it deepens the savory notes and adds a complex richness that ties all the flavors together.
• Eggs: Eggs serve as a crucial binding agent, helping to hold the delicious filling together, preventing it from crumbling when rolled and cooked.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is indispensable, infusing the filling with its pungent, aromatic flavor that is foundational to Asian cuisine.
• Five-Spice Powder: This classic Chinese spice blend typically consists of cinnamon, star anise, Szechuan pepper, fennel, and cloves. It perfectly balances five fundamental taste groups—sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami—adding a warm, aromatic depth to our chicken lumpia.
• Spring Roll Wrappers (Lumpia Wrappers): Made from wheat flour and water, these thin, pliable wrappers are key to achieving that signature crispy exterior. They are designed to be easy to use, resist tearing, and stretch slightly, making the rolling process much simpler.

How to Prepare Chicken Vegetable Spring Rolls: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating your own chicken lumpia is a satisfying process that yields incredibly delicious results. Follow these steps for a perfect batch. A detailed, printable version of this recipe is available at the bottom of this blog post.

Making the Flavorful Filling

1. Prepare the Vermicelli: Begin by placing the mung bean vermicelli (glass noodles) in a bowl. Pour hot water over them and let them soften for about 5 minutes. Once tender, drain the water thoroughly. Then, use kitchen shears or a knife to cut the vermicelli into smaller, manageable pieces, and return them to the empty bowl.
2. Combine Vegetables: Add the thinly sliced carrots and leeks to the bowl with the cut vermicelli. Toss gently to combine these vibrant ingredients.
3. Prepare the Chicken Mixture: In a separate, large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, oyster sauce, minced garlic, and Chinese five-spice powder until well blended. Add the small cubes of chicken breast to this aromatic sauce and mix thoroughly, ensuring all chicken pieces are coated.
4. Mix Filling Ingredients: Now, gently fold the vegetable and vermicelli mixture into the seasoned chicken. Mix until all ingredients are evenly distributed, creating a rich and savory filling.

Folding Spring Rolls Step-by-Step

1. Position Wrapper and Fill: Place a spring roll wrapper on a clean, dry surface with one point facing down towards you, like a diamond. Spoon about two tablespoons of the filling mixture onto the bottom third of the wrapper, leaving about an inch from the bottom tip.
2. Initial Fold: Tightly roll the bottom tip of the wrapper up and over the filling, creating a snug cylinder. Make an extra twist to ensure the filling is compressed.
3. Fold in Sides: Next, fold the right and left corners of the wrapper inwards, tightly enclosing the filling from the sides. This creates a neat package.
4. Seal and Roll: Brush a little water on the top corner of the wrapper. Continue to roll the lumpia upwards, maintaining tightness, until you reach the moistened tip. The water will act as a glue, sealing the spring roll securely. Repeat this process for all your lumpia, ensuring they are rolled as tightly as possible to prevent excessive oil absorption during cooking.

Serving Suggestion: These chicken lumpia are incredibly versatile and delicious when paired with a variety of dipping sauces. Classic choices include sweet soy sauce, a tangy sweet and sour sauce, or a spicy sweet chili sauce. Feel free to experiment to find your favorite combination!

Cooking Your Lumpia: Deep Frying, Air Frying, or Oven Baking?

While deep frying is the traditional and most common method for achieving that signature golden crispness, homemade lumpia can also be cooked beautifully in an air fryer or conventional oven, offering lighter alternatives without sacrificing much flavor. Each method yields slightly different results, allowing you to choose based on your preference and equipment.

Deep Frying for Ultimate Crispness

To deep fry, preheat your frying pan or deep fryer to 350 °F (approximately 180 °C). Carefully place a few spring rolls into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 2 minutes until they start to turn golden. Remove them from the oil and let them rest on a wire rack or paper towels for 5 minutes. This resting period allows the internal heat to continue cooking the filling evenly. Then, return them to the hot oil for another 2 minutes until they reach a deep golden brown and are perfectly crispy. This double-frying technique is crucial for achieving an extra-crispy exterior and ensures the filling is thoroughly cooked.

Air Frying for a Lighter Option

If you prefer a lighter, less oily version, the air fryer is an excellent choice. Preheat your air fryer to 400 °F (approximately 204 °C). Lightly brush the lumpia with a little oil (or spray with cooking spray) to help with browning and crisping. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch. Cook for 8 minutes, flipping them halfway through (after about 4 minutes). Air-fried lumpia will have a slightly lighter color compared to deep-fried ones, but they will still achieve a wonderfully crispy texture and taste just as delicious!

Oven Baking for Convenience

Baking lumpia in the oven is another great alternative, particularly if you’re making a larger batch or prefer a hands-off approach. Preheat your oven to 430 °F (approximately 221 °C). Arrange the lumpia in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and lightly brush or spray them with oil. Bake for 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure even browning and crispness on all sides. The oven-baked lumpia will also be lighter in color than deep-fried ones but will still be deliciously crispy and cooked through.

No matter which cooking method you choose, the key is to cook until golden brown and crispy, ensuring the chicken filling is cooked thoroughly. Always drain excess oil on paper towels after frying or baking for the best texture.

Expert Tips and Delicious Variations for Perfect Lumpia

Elevate your chicken lumpia game with these helpful tips and creative variations:

Preparation Tips for Success

• Keep Wrappers Moist: Once you open the package of spring roll wrappers, they can dry out quickly, becoming brittle and prone to tearing. Always cover the remaining wrappers with a damp paper towel or clean kitchen towel while you’re working to keep them pliable.
• Roll Tightly: This is a crucial step! Rolling your lumpia tightly not only gives them a neat, uniform shape but also prevents them from absorbing too much oil during frying. A loose roll will result in a greasy, less crispy lumpia.
• Drain Excess Oil: After frying or baking, immediately transfer the cooked lumpia to a plate lined with kitchen paper. This helps to absorb any excess oil, ensuring they remain extra crispy and not greasy.
• Cool Before Freezing: If you plan to freeze your lumpia, make sure they cool down completely to room temperature first. Freezing warm lumpia can lead to ice crystals forming, which can make them soggy when reheated.

Flavorful Variations and Substitutions

• Boost the Veggies: Want to add more nutritional value or simply enjoy more vegetables? Incorporate about ½ pound (200 grams) of other finely sliced vegetables to the mix, such as shredded cabbage, bean sprouts, or finely diced bell peppers. Just ensure they are cut small enough to cook quickly.
• Wrapper Alternatives: If you can’t find traditional spring roll wrappers, you can use two sheets of filo pastry layered on top of each other. While the texture will be slightly different, it still yields a wonderfully crisp result.
• Chicken Options: Instead of chicken breast cubes, feel free to use ground chicken. This makes for an even more uniform filling texture and can be quicker to prepare.
• Additional Aromatics: Enhance the flavor by adding finely chopped green onions (scallions), water chestnuts for an extra crunch, or a touch of ginger to the filling mixture.
• Spice it Up: For those who love a bit of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes or finely minced fresh chili can be added to the filling.

Did you make this delicious recipe? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I love to see what your creation looks like and regularly share the most beautiful photos of you! Did you like this recipe? Then leave a rating on the recipe card! Your feedback helps other home cooks and me enormously.

Need more inspiration?

• You can find video recipes on my YouTube channel.
• And don’t forget to save the recipes on Pinterest, so you can easily find them again next time!

Chicken Lumpia

Andréa