Chilli Chicken Momos – The humble Momo, a steamed dumpling filled with savoury goodness, has captured hearts (and stomachs!) across India. Now, imagine infusing these delicate parcels with a fiery Indo-Chinese twist! Chilli Chicken Momos are a flavour explosion, combining the soft, steamed momos with a spicy, tangy, and utterly addictive chilli chicken coating. While often enjoyed at street food stalls, making these delectable treats at home allows for customization and a truly satisfying culinary adventure. This guide will walk you through the steps to create mouthwatering Chilli Chicken Momos in your own kitchen.
Get ready to elevate your momo game and unleash a burst of flavour with these irresistible spicy dumplings!
Gathering the Key Ingredients for Your Chilli Chicken Momos
Creating delicious Chilli Chicken Momos involves preparing the filling for the momos, making the momo dough, steaming them, and finally tossing them in a vibrant chilli chicken sauce.
For the Momo Filling:
- Ground Chicken: 250 grams, lean.
- Onion: 1 medium, finely chopped, adds flavour and moisture.
- Ginger: 1 tablespoon, finely minced, for a warm kick.
- Garlic: 1 tablespoon, finely minced, for its pungent aroma.
- Green Chillies: 1-2, finely chopped (adjust to your spice preference).
- Soy Sauce: 1 teaspoon, adds umami.
- Coriander Leaves: 2 tablespoons, finely chopped, for freshness.
- Salt: To taste.
- Black Pepper Powder: 1/4 teaspoon, for a hint of spice.
For the Momo Dough:
- All-Purpose Flour (Maida): 1 cup, the base for the delicate wrappers.
- Water: Approximately 1/2 cup, or as needed to form a firm dough.
- Oil: 1 teaspoon, for kneading (optional).
For the Chilli Chicken Coating:
- Oil: 2 tablespoons, for sautéing.
- Garlic: 1 tablespoon, finely minced, for its pungent flavour.
- Ginger: 1 teaspoon, finely minced, for a warm note.
- Green Chillies: 1-2, slit or finely chopped (adjust to your spice preference).
- Onion: 1 medium, diced, for sweetness and body.
- Capsicum (Bell Pepper): 1/2 medium, diced (preferably green or red for colour).
- Soy Sauce: 2 tablespoons, the base of the sauce.
- Tomato Ketchup: 1 tablespoon, for sweetness and tanginess.
- Red Chilli Sauce (Schezwan Sauce optional): 1-2 teaspoons (adjust to your spice preference).
- Vinegar: 1 teaspoon, for a tangy kick.
- Corn Flour (Cornstarch): 1 teaspoon, mixed with 2 tablespoons of water (slurry), for thickening the sauce.
- Spring Onion Greens: For garnish.
- Salt: To taste (be mindful of the salt in the sauces).
The Step-by-Step Process of Making Fiery Chilli Chicken Momos
Creating these flavourful momos involves preparing the filling and dough, shaping and steaming the momos, and then tossing them in a spicy chilli chicken sauce.
- Prepare the Momo Filling: In a bowl, combine the ground chicken, finely chopped onion, minced ginger, minced garlic, chopped green chillies, soy sauce, chopped coriander leaves, salt, and black pepper powder. Mix well and set aside.
- Prepare the Momo Dough: In another bowl, add the all-purpose flour and a pinch of salt. Gradually add water, mixing until a firm, smooth dough forms. Add a teaspoon of oil (optional) and knead for a few more minutes until the dough is elastic. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for at least 30 minutes.
- Shape the Momos: Divide the rested dough into small, equal-sized balls. Roll each ball into a thin circle (about 3-4 inches in diameter).1 Place a spoonful of the chicken filling in the centre of the circle. Bring the edges together to form pleats and seal the momo in your desired shape. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
- Steam the Momos: Arrange the shaped momos in a steamer basket, ensuring they are not touching each other. Bring water to a boil in the steamer and steam the momos for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken filling is cooked through and the momo wrappers appear translucent.
- Prepare the Chilli Chicken Coating: Heat oil in a wok or a large pan over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic, minced ginger, and chopped green chillies. Sauté for a few seconds until fragrant. Add diced onion and sauté until it turns translucent. Add diced capsicum and sauté for another minute until slightly tender-crisp.
- Add the Sauces: Pour in soy sauce, tomato ketchup, and red chilli sauce (or Schezwan sauce, if using). Stir well and bring the sauce to a simmer.
- Thicken the Sauce: Stir the corn flour slurry and pour it into the simmering sauce. Cook for a minute or two, stirring continuously, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
- Toss the Steamed Momos: Gently add the steamed chicken momos to the prepared chilli chicken sauce. Toss gently to ensure all the momos are evenly coated with the flavourful sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped spring onion greens. Serve hot as a spicy and satisfying snack or appetizer.
Important Tips for Perfect Homemade Chilli Chicken Momos
Achieving delicious and fiery Chilli Chicken Momos requires attention to a few key details. Follow these essential tips for the best results:
- Lean Ground Chicken: Use lean ground chicken for the filling to avoid greasy momos.
- Firm Momo Dough: The momo dough should be firm and smooth for easy rolling and shaping. Resting the dough is crucial for a good texture.
- Thinly Rolled Wrappers: Roll the momo wrappers thinly for a delicate texture.
- Seal the Momos Well: Ensure the momos are sealed properly to prevent the filling from leaking out during steaming.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Steamer: Arrange the momos in a single layer in the steamer basket to ensure even cooking.
- Steam Thoroughly: Steam the momos for the recommended time to ensure the chicken filling is fully cooked.
- Hot and Fast Sauce Preparation: Prepare the chilli chicken sauce quickly over medium-high heat to retain the vibrant flavours of the aromatics.
- Adjust Spice Levels: Feel free to adjust the amount of green chillies and chilli sauces in both the filling and the coating according to your spice preference.
- Toss Gently: Toss the steamed momos gently in the sauce to avoid breaking them.
- Serve Hot and Fresh: Chilli Chicken Momos are best enjoyed hot and fresh, right after tossing them in the sauce.
Making Chilli Chicken Momos at home is a fun and flavourful culinary adventure that combines the delicate art of momo making with the fiery kick of Indo-Chinese cuisine. With the right ingredients, a step-by-step making process, and these essential tips, you can create a spicy and satisfying snack that will be a hit with everyone. So, gather your chicken, flour, and spices, and get ready for a flavour explosion!
