Easy Chicken Dumplings + Dipping Sauce

Nothing brings family together like cooking and eating together. Especially during Lunar New Year, when dumplings symbolize prosperity, unity, and good fortune. Traditional dumpling making is a cherished ritual in many Asian households, and we’re kicking off a new recipe series to celebrate that heritage and preserve our family’s culinary secrets.

We’re starting with one of our favorites: Chicken Dumplings + Dipping Sauce. It’s easy, comforting, and versatile plus, it’s the perfect recipe to share with loved ones as we usher in a fresh year of luck and happiness.

🥟 Chicken Dumplings

These dumplings are flavorful, juicy, and customizable. Swap the chicken for any ground meat you prefer — pork, beef, or even plant-based substitutes work beautifully!

Ingredients

Dumplings

• 1 pack dumpling wrappers

• 1 lb ground chicken

• 1 lb napa cabbage, finely chopped

• 1 shallot, finely chopped

• Green onions, chopped

• Cilantro, chopped

• 1 tbsp oyster sauce

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp oil

• ½ tbsp chicken powder

• 1 tbsp sugar

• 1 tbsp black pepper

🥢 Dumpling Dipping Sauce

A balanced sauce with salty, sweet, and aromatic notes perfect with every bite.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp oyster sauce

• 2–3 tbsp water

• ½ tbsp sugar

• ½ tbsp dark soy sauce

• 2–3 green onions, chopped

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp sesame oil

🥢 How to Make Them (Step-by-Step)

Feel free to skip ahead if you just want to cook!

1. Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, mix ground chicken, chopped napa cabbage, shallot, green onions, cilantro, oyster sauce, soy sauce, oil, chicken powder, sugar and black pepper until well combined.

2. Assemble Dumplings: Place a small spoonful of filling in the center of each dumpling wrapper. Moisten the edges with water, fold, and pinch closed, get creative with pleats!

3. Cook: You can boil, steam, or pan-fry your dumplings. For pan-fried dumplings: heat a bit of oil in a skillet over medium heat, place dumplings flat-side down, cook until golden, then add a splash of water and cover to steam.

4. Mix the Dipping Sauce: Combine all dipping sauce ingredients in a small bowl and stir until sugar dissolves.

5. Serve & Enjoy! Dumplings are best warm and shared with good company.

🧧 Dumplings & Lunar New Year 🍊

Dumplings are more than food — they’re tradition. Many families prepare them together ahead of Lunar New Year to symbolize wealth and togetherness. Whether boiled, steamed, or pan-fried, each dumpling carries meaning and brings joy around the table.