Jerk Chicken Egg Rolls – A Perfect Way To Use Leftover Jerk Chicken

If you’ve ever made jerk chicken, you know that it can be a bit of a feast. There are usually plenty of leftovers, which is great because you can use them to make these delicious jerk chicken egg rolls! They’re perfect for an appetizer or main course, and they’re especially good when served with our delicious spicy mango pineapple dipping sauce. See our Cuban Sliders recipe using leftover Lechon Asado.

What is an Egg roll?

The egg roll is an iconic American Chinese dish that has been loved for some time. Today, these tasty treats usually contain meat and vegetables mixed together in doughy fried pastry shells! Common ingredients include pork or chicken along with carrots & bean sprouts. The egg roll is then deep-fried until the dough is crispy and golden brown. Finally, it is served with a dipping sauce. And FYI, they do not contain eggs!

Don’t Be Afraid To Experiment With Variations

When it comes to food, there are endless possibilities for creativity and experimentation. The same dish can be prepared in countless different ways, and even the simplest ingredients can be transformed into a delicious meal. Of course, not every variation will be a success, but that’s all part of the fun. Trying new things is one of the best ways to expand your culinary repertoire and discover new flavors and textures that you might not have experienced before.

Why We Love This Recipe

Our version of crispy fried egg rolls will include jerk chicken, fresh vegetables and delicious spices. This is one of those recipes where simple ingredients come together to make something really special. We love this appetizer because it’s easy to make, crowd-friendly and a great way to use up the leftover jerk chicken you had a few nights ago! This recipe is also super versatile. Give it a try by using jerk shrimp or jerk steak!

How Do You Make The Jerk Chicken?

For many people, jerk chicken is the quintessential Jamaican dish. The perfect blend of spice and flavor, it’s no wonder that this dish has become popular all over the world.

Jamaican jerk seasoning gets its unique flavor from a special blend of spices, including allspice, thyme and peppers. The chicken is usually marinated in the spice mixture for several hours or even overnight before being cooked. Jerk chicken can be grilled, roasted, or even baked, although grilling is the most traditional cooking method. Check out our oven method Jerk Chicken recipe.

What dipping sauce should I use?

If you’re looking for a delicious dipping sauce to go with your jerk chicken egg rolls, we’ve got just the thing! Our Spicy Mango Pineapple Dipping Sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. It’s made with fresh mango, pineapple, habenero peppers and a variety of spices. It’s the perfect way to spice up your egg rolls! Plus, it’s really easy to make.

Not into mangos or pineapples? Check out our roundup of delicious dipping sauce recipes we recommend for your jerk chicken egg rolls.

Ingredients Needed

Egg Roll Wrappers – These are also delicious using spring roll wrappers.

Cooked Jerk Chicken Thighs – Shredded. See recipe here. You can use jerk chicken breast, legs or wings.

Green and Red Cabbage – Shredded

Carrots – Peeled and grated

Green Onions – Chopped

Garlic Cloves – Minced

Fresh Thyme – Dried thyme is fine as well if that’s all you have.

Lime Juice – Freshly squeezed or bottled.

Olive Oil – For sauteeing the vegetables. You can also use coconut oil, avocado oil or canola oil.

Canola Oil – For frying the egg rolls

Dipping Sauce – For serving. Try our Spicy Mango Pineapple Sauce.

Corn Starch and Water – For sealing the egg rolls before frying. You can also opt to use an egg wash with just an egg mixed with water.

Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper

Cayenne Pepper – optional. You can use diced habanero peppers or scotch bonnet peppers.

How To Make The Egg Rolls

Make the filling: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. 

Add cabbage and carrots to the skillet and season with salt, black pepper and optionally cayenne pepper. Cook for 3 – 5 minutes or until the cabbage begins to wilt but still has some crunch. Add shredded jerk chicken, green onions, fresh thyme and lime juice. Cook for another 1-2 minutes. Taste for seasoning set aside and let the mixture cool completely. 

Assemble the egg rolls: Fill a dutch oven or heavy bottom pot with about 2-3 inches of oil and heat over medium-high heat until it reaches 350 degrees F.

Mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with 1/4 cup water to make the slurry we’ll use to seal the egg roll wrappers.

While the oil is heating, you can start assembling the egg rolls. Working with one wrapper at a time, place about 2 tablespoons of the jerk chicken mixture in the center of the egg roll wrapper. Be careful not to overfill the wrappers or they will be difficult to roll up.

With your finger or silicone pastry brush, dampen the top of the edges of the wrapper with the cornstarch slurry. Fold the bottom corner of the wrapper over filling. Bring in the sides and roll to the opposite edge of where you started. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling mixture.

When the oil reaches 350 degrees F, carefully add a few egg rolls at a time to the pot and fry for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. With a slotted spoon or tongs, remove from oil and place on a wire rack to drain. Serve immediately with a savory or sweet sauce and enjoy!

How To Store Leftover Egg Rolls

If you have any leftover egg rolls, you can store them in the fridge for a few days. However, they are best when eaten fresh. If you want to reheat them, you can either microwave them for a minute or heat them in the oven at 350 degrees F for 5-10 minutes.

These jerk chicken egg rolls are the perfect appetizer or main course. They’re especially good when served with our delicious spicy mango pineapple dipping sauce. If you’re looking for a new way to use up your leftover jerk chicken, give this recipe a try! Your taste buds will thank you.