Napa Cabbage Summer Rolls with Chicken & Spicy Peanut Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 headnapa cabbage
- ½ lbpre-cooked chicken
shredded
- 1 ccarrot
cut into matchsticks
- 1 ccucumber
cut into matchsticks
- ⅓ ccrispy rice noodles
- ⅓ cwarm water
- 6 tbsppeanut butter
- ¼ csoy sauce
- 2 tbsprice vinegar
- 2 tbspsesame oil
- 2 tbsphoney
- 2 tspchili-garlic sauce
- cilantro for garnish
Directions
- 1
Fill a large bowl with ice cubes and cold water and set aside.
- 2
Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add the whole head of Napa cabbage to the boiling water for just 2 minutes or so. Drain the water and transfer the cabbage to the bowl of ice water. After a few minutes, remove the cabbage and let the excess water drain away.
- 3
Carefully remove the large leaves from the cabbage and place in a colander. After the cabbage has drained for a bit, place a few paper towels on a baking sheet. Add several leaves in a single layer on top of the paper towels. Add another layer of paper towels, then another single layer of cabbage. Continue (on another baking sheet if necessary) until the larger leaves are used. Save the remaining inner, smaller leaves for another recipe.
- 4
Allow the leaves to dry.
- 5
As the leaves dry, make the dipping sauce. Combine the water, peanut butter, soy sauce, vinegar, oil, honey, and chili-garlic sauce in a bowl. Use a whisk to combine until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Stir before serving.
- 6
When the leaves are dry (they can be slightly damp), cut a triangle-shaped notch out of the bottom of the stem of each leaf. Set aside.
- 7
One at a time, lay a cabbage leaf on a flat surface. Using a small portion of each, layer the shredded chicken, carrots, cucumber, and crispy rice noodles at the bottom of the leaf (where the notch was cut out). Carefully, and as tightly as you can, roll the leaf from the bottom end to the top. Place on a serving dish, seam side down.
- 8
Serve with the Spicy Peanut Sauce.
Napa Cabbage Summer Rolls with Chicken & Spicy Peanut Sauce
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About this Recipe
Looking for a refreshingly light yet incredibly satisfying meal perfect for warm weather? These Napa Cabbage Summer Rolls with Chicken & Spicy Peanut Sauce are your ideal summer solution, bringing vibrant flavors and delightful textures without the fuss.
What makes these rolls truly special is the ingenious use of crisp napa cabbage leaves as a natural, low-carb wrapper. This choice offers a delightful crunch and a lighter feel compared to traditional rice paper, making each bite a refreshing experience. Paired with tender pre-cooked chicken and a vibrant array of fresh, crunchy vegetables, it’s a textural masterpiece that’s remarkably easy to assemble.
Each bite of these summer rolls delivers a symphony of sensations—the lively crispness of napa cabbage and matchstick-cut carrots and cucumber, the subtle chew of crispy rice noodles, and the tender bite of shredded chicken. The homemade spicy peanut sauce is the undisputed star, a creamy, sweet, savory, and subtly spicy concoction that beautifully harmonizes all the components. The balance of flavors—from the savory soy sauce and nutty peanut butter to the bright rice vinegar and sweet honey, all with a kick from chili-garlic sauce—makes these rolls utterly addictive. This is a wonderfully light yet filling dish, promising a burst of fresh flavor in every roll.
These summer rolls are wonderfully versatile. You can easily swap the pre-cooked chicken for other favorite proteins like cooked shrimp or tofu, or keep it vegetarian by adding extra crisp vegetables such as bell peppers or avocado. Adjust the amount of chili-garlic sauce in the peanut sauce to perfectly match your preferred spice level, or add a squeeze of fresh lime juice for an extra bright finish.
Serve these beautiful Napa Cabbage Summer Rolls as an elegant appetizer for a gathering, a light main course, or as a vibrant addition to a picnic or potluck spread. They are a fantastic choice for any occasion calling for a fresh and flavorful bite that feels both wholesome and indulgent.