These chicken and chive wontons are a bold, flavorful take on a much-loved classic. They combine soft, juicy chicken mince seasoned with sesame oil, cumin, garlic, and chives—delicately folded into wonton wrappers and tossed in a fiery, aromatic sauce that’s made to impress.
While wontons are commonly associated with East Asian cuisines, this version leans toward a fusion of Chinese technique with Pakistani-Indian-style spice. What sets this recipe apart is the balance between heat, umami, and freshness—from the gentle bite of chives to the heat of chilli oil and warmth of five spice. A final drizzle of hot oil over the garlic-and-soy base builds layers of flavor in seconds.
Bold Yet Balanced Flavors: Spicy, savory, and slightly sweet—all in one bite.
Textural Perfection: Silky wrappers with tender filling and a glossy, spicy coating.
Quick and Customizable: Use your favorite protein, or adjust the spice level to your liking.
Impressive Yet Simple: It looks restaurant-quality but comes together fast.
Appetizer platters or dinner parties.
Lazy weeknight dinners that still feel gourmet.
Serving alongside noodles, rice, or stir-fried veggies for a full meal.
300g chicken mince
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp red chilli flakes
1 tsp ground cumin
½ tsp Chinese five spice
¼ cup fresh chives, finely chopped
1 tsp MSG (optional)
Wonton wrappers
2 garlic cloves, finely grated
1 tsp sugar
½ tsp Chinese five spice
1 tsp sesame seeds
1 tsp chilli oil
1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
3 tbsp reserved wonton cooking water
Make the Filling
In a large bowl, mix together the chicken mince, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, chilli flakes, cumin, five spice, chives, and MSG (if using) until well combined.
Assemble the Wontons
Place about 1 teaspoon of filling in the center of each wonton wrapper. Wet the edges with water, fold into your desired shape, and press to seal firmly.
Cook the Wontons
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the wontons and cook for 3–4 minutes, or until they float. Reserve 3 tbsp of the cooking water before draining.
Make the Spicy Sauce
In a heatproof bowl, combine grated garlic, sugar, five spice, sesame seeds, chilli oil, and soy sauce.
Heat the vegetable oil and sesame oil in a small pan until hot. Carefully pour over the bowl to sizzle and activate the aromatics. Stir in the reserved cooking water to create a smooth sauce.
Toss & Serve
Add the cooked wontons to the sauce and toss gently until evenly coated.
Serve hot, garnished with extra chives or sesame seeds if desired.
