The subtly flavoured, yummy chicken momos dipped in the spicy chilli chutney make for a heavenly combination. Here is an easy recipe for making them
Momos are, dumplings, of Nepalese, Tibetan as well as Indian origins. In India, momos are a very popular snack and appetiser, especially, in the Northern and North-Eastern regions. However, over the years, they have also gained huge popularity as a street food. You will, easily, be able to locate small wooden carts and stalls along the road side, selling hot and fresh momos. Usually, they are served with a momo chutney and a flavourful, light broth (momo soup). And my chicken momos and chilli chutney recipe is a gateway of reliving my momo eating days in Mumbai.
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Choices galore
The types of momos that you find, on Indian streets are endless. And, I am not just talking about a choice between vegetarian and non-vegetarian momos. From the regular steamed momos to tandoori momos, fried momos, chilli momos – you will be spoilt for choice. Also, there are plenty of options under the vegetarian variety (spinach, paneer, cabbage etc) and the non-vegetarian ones (chicken, pork, shrimps etc). Sounds like momo heaven!
Healthy snack
Momos, are generally a very healthy snack, since they are practically, zero oil food and are only steamed. Also, the recipe for the chicken momos and the chilli chutney, is a easy and quick one. I have used minced chicken for the filling, which I have seasoned very lightly, yet, which packs a punch. And, if you are wondering where you could find minced chicken around you, then don’t worry. Even I don’t find shops, here in London, where I readily get chicken mince. However, in my recipe pictorials, I have shown how you could make mince from boneless chicken breasts. Also, since chicken breasts are leaner than thighs, I prefer using them. But, if you wish you could use the juicy thigh mince for the momo filling. For the momo wrappers, I have used plain flour (maida). But, you could use whole wheat flour, as well, instead.
Quick & easy recipe
There is no pre-preparation when making the delicious chicken momos and the chilli chutney. The only effort, if at all, that there is, is in shaping them. But again, you can shape your momos in a lot of ways. And whichever is comfortable for you, pick it. I have shaped mine in two ways – one in a crescent form and the other a pleated one. Both of which are explained in the recipe box. You can check the video (also in the recipe box) to see how I have done it.
The momos recipe involves just four steps – marinating the chicken, kneading the dough, shaping the momos and steaming them. Also since, we are working with minced chicken breasts, the cooking time is only about 15 minutes, per batch.
As far as making the chilli chutney is concerned, that is only a matter of grinding its ingredients to a smooth paste. Simple, isn’t it?
Chicken momos with chilli chutney
Momos are great as a party snack and for weekend brunch. It is a fun process and once, you try the different shapes, you will want to create some of your own. The subtly flavoured, yummy chicken momos dipped in the spicy chilli chutney make for a heavenly combination. So, do give my recipe a try and let me know your feedback.
Here are some of my other easy, party snacks’ recipes for you to take a look at:
Sautéed vegetables pizza toast
Easy homemade pizza margherita
Eat hearty!
Chicken momos wth chilli chutney
Equipment
- Food steamer/bamboo steamer
Ingredients
- 130 g plain flour maida
- 100 g chicken breasts
- 15 g dried red chillis
- 4 stalks spring onions chopped
- 3 tbsp coriander leaves chopped
- 3-4 fresh green chilis optional
- 2 tbsp soya sauce
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 tsp black pepper powder
- 2 tsp vinegar
- 1 tsp oil
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Soak the dried chillis in hot water for about 30 mins
- Wash the chicken breasts throughly and pat dry
- Chop them roughly and add it to a food processor
- Pulse 3 times, so that you achieve a nice mince and not a paste
- Add 2 chopped garlic cloves, soya sauce, salt, pepper, spring onions, chilis and coriander. Mix well and leave it to marinate until the time you make the wrappers
- Mix the flour, with some salt and oil, and knead it to a smooth dough by gradually adding water
- Keep the dough covered with a damp cloth while you roll out the wrappers
- Pinch a lemon sized ball of the dough and roll it out thin (until transparent)
- Using a round cookie cutter (or anything round) cut the rolled wrapper out (remove the excess)
- And place a teaspoon of the minced chicken mixture in it
- Apply water* on half the circumference of the circle and pleat. Stick each new pleat with the older ones
- Stick the un-pleated side with the pleated one and gently bring the ends of the momos inwards - so as to give it a curved shape
- Another shape is the pleated ones. To make this, you have to keep pushing the wrapper from one end and pinching it until you reach the end (check the video link below)
- Set a steamer with water to boil and line the perforated section of it with parchment paper
- Arrange the shaped momos on it
- One batch at a time
- Once the water starts boiling, place the momo container (covered) and steam on high heat for 15 minutes
To make the chilli chutney
- In a mixer-grinder, add the soaked chillis, vinegar, 2 garlic cloves, salt to taste and water
- Grind to a smooth, fine paste by adding water as and when required
- Serve the chicken momos, fresh and hot with the chilli chutney and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- *Apply water only if your momo wrapper is dry. If it is moist enough and sticks, then do not apply any water
- These proportions of ingredients, yielded 19 chicken momos
- If you do not want your chilli chutney to be very spicy, deseed them first and then soak in water
- If you have a bamboo steamer, do use it for steaming the momos
- Dust the rolled wrappers, well with flour and then stack. If not, then they may stick to each other and you may have to repeat the process again
- You will know your momos are cooked, when they don't feel sticky on touching. As far as the chicken filling is concerned, it will be cooked in 15 minutes since mince doesn't take long to cook
- g - grams
- tbsp - tablespoon
- tsp - teaspoon
u are a professional now
Thank you so much Maa. Love you
Uff!! Madhu these look absolutely perfect!! U seriously got me craving for some momos…. Love!
Thank you so much Arpita! Loads of love!
Oh Madhu! you are a pro in folding the momos!!!! 🙂 🙂 perfectly done!
Thank you Sathis 🙂 Means a lot!!
Looks AMAZING ! Looking forward to a Vegetarian Version of MOMOs
Thanks so much! Very soon sammy 🙂
So tempting!! Planning to turn into a non-vegetarian after seeing this!
hehe i think this is the best compliment xoxo Thank you!!