How to make chicken momos – The great Indian dumplings

Introduction

Chicken momos are a type of dumpling made from chicken mince (ground meat) and onions, capsicum, potatoes, or other vegetables. They are usually steamed or fried in a wrapper of flour, water, salt, and oil. They have a unique triangular or semicircle shape that allows them to hold a lot of filling without becoming too heavy or dense. Another distinctive feature of chicken momos is their sauce – it typically contains garlic and ginger, which give it a slightly spicy flavor. Chicken momos can be served with toppings such as soy sauce, chilis, or sesame seeds. These delicious little parcels make for an exciting appetizer or main course, depending on what you choose to put inside them!

Origin of Chicken momos

Chicken momos can be found all over the country – in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and even at international airports! Though the origin remains unknown, there are several theories about it. Some say that they were invented by Indian soldiers who missed home food while stationed abroad during World War II. Others say that they originated in China and were brought to India by traders and immigrants. Whatever their origin may be, chicken momos are now loved all over the world for their savory flavors and unique texture. They can be enjoyed as an appetizer or main course and are perfect for any occasion!

Further Reading: Momo Paratha – The Dish That Makes You Go Mmmmm

Are chicken momos healthy?

There is some debate over the nutritional value of chicken momos. Some experts believe that they contain high amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol, which could lead to heart disease down the line. However, other sources claim that chicken momos have reasonable amounts of protein and carbs – making them an okay option if you’re looking for something quick and tasty to eat on a busy day. It all boils down to your ingredients and how you choose to prepare them. While steamed momos seem to be the better choice for your health, fried momos definitely won’t hurt your taste buds!

The difference between steamed and fried chicken momos

Apart from the calorie count, there is a big difference between steamed and fried momos. Steamed momos are typically softer and have a more delicate flavor than their deep-fried counterparts. They are also usually served with a dipping sauce, such as sweet and sour sauce or chili pepper chutney. On the other hand, Fried momos are crunchy on the outside and soft inside, with a robust flavor that can be hard to resist. They’re often served with soy sauce or gravy for dipping.

Further Reading: Learn How To Make The Most Popular Indian Street Food – Vada Pav Masala!

Recipe

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Makes: 4 serves 

Ingredients 

For the dough:

• 2 cups all purpose flour (Maida)
• Salt, to taste
• 1-1/2 teaspoon  baking powder

For the filling:

• 1 cup Chicken, boiled and minced
• 1/2 cup Green peas (Matar), boiled
• 1/2 cup Onions, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon Garlic, finely chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon Ginger, finely chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon Soy sauce
• Salt, to taste
• 1 Fresh red chilli or green chilli 
• 1/4 tablespoon whole black peppercorns, crushed

To make the outer dough :

1. Add refined flour, salt, baking powder, and water to a mixing bowl. When the flour looks crumbly, start kneading a stiff dough with water. Keep this dough covered with a wet cloth and set it aside for 20-25 minutes. Ensure that it doesn’t dry out. 

For the chicken filling :

1. Place a wok on the gas stove and heat a tablespoon of oil in it. Add the chopped chilli of your choice along with onions, chopped ginger, and garlic.

2. Saute this for about 5 minutes and add the boiled chicken mince along with the cooked peas and mix it well until it’s combined. 

3. Remove it from the heat and mix in the soy sauce, salt, and black pepper. Add the salt cautiously since soy sauce also has salt present. 

4. Separate the dough into small equal portions and start shaping them into balls. You can then roll them out thinly to form a circular shape.

5. If you already have momo or dumpling molds at home, you can use them. This will make the process much faster and easier. 

6. Take a rolled-out dough sheet and wet its edges with water. Place a spoonful of the chicken filling, peas, and sauteed veggies in the middle. Bring all of the edges together to cover the filling and twist it carefully to seal the momos.

7.  Repeat the process until all the dough and the filling is used. 

8. Meanwhile, prepare a dim sum steamer or dhokla-idli steamer by filling it with some water and getting it ready to boil. Place the momos on the steamer and steam for about 17-20 minutes or until the momos look well-cooked. 

9. Serve the delicious and hot chicken momos with a dipping sauce or toppings of your choice.

Conclusion

Finally, here you have the easiest chicken momos recipe that is perfect for a weekend snack or meal. The filling is simple and easy to make, while the dough can be prepared in just a few minutes.