Description: Spiced Chicken Stuffed Buns are a flavorful and satisfying snack or meal. These buns are made by wrapping a savory, spiced chicken filling inside soft, fluffy dough and baking them until golden and crispy. The filling is a delicious blend of tender chicken, aromatic spices, and herbs that create a rich, mouth-watering flavor in every bite. The combination of soft, pillowy bread on the outside and juicy, flavorful chicken on the inside makes these buns a hit for any occasion, from casual snacks to special gatherings.
Key Ingredients:
- Dough: All-purpose flour, yeast, sugar, salt, warm water, and oil or butter to enrich the texture.
- Chicken Filling: Ground or finely chopped chicken breast or thigh, onions, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, and a variety of spices like cumin, coriander, garam masala, chili powder, turmeric, and paprika.
- Herbs and Seasoning: Fresh cilantro, lemon juice, and salt to taste.
- Optional Additions: Cheese (like cheddar or mozzarella) for a creamy texture, or chilies for extra heat.
Directions:
- Prepare the Chicken Filling:
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat and sauté onions, garlic, and ginger until fragrant and golden brown.
- Add chopped tomatoes, and cook for a few minutes until softened and the oil starts to separate from the mixture.
- Add the ground chicken (or finely chopped chicken) to the pan, breaking it up as it cooks. Cook for about 5–7 minutes until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
- Stir in the spices: cumin, coriander, garam masala, chili powder, turmeric, and paprika. Mix well and cook for another 2–3 minutes to allow the spices to bloom.
- Season with salt to taste, then remove from heat and let the mixture cool slightly.
- Once cooled, stir in fresh chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
- Make the Dough:
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast.
- Add warm water (not too hot) and mix until the dough comes together. Add oil or melted butter to enrich the dough.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Assemble the Buns:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Punch down the risen dough and divide it into equal portions, about 8-10 pieces.
- Roll each dough ball into a small disc (about 4-5 inches in diameter).
- Spoon a generous amount of the spiced chicken filling onto the center of each disc. If you’re adding cheese, sprinkle it over the filling at this stage.
- Carefully fold the dough over the filling, pinching the edges together to seal the bun. Make sure the filling is fully enclosed.
- Place the sealed buns on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them a few inches apart.
- Bake the Buns:
- Optionally, brush the tops of the buns with a bit of milk or melted butter for a golden, shiny finish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the buns are golden brown on top and cooked through.
- Serve:
- Once out of the oven, allow the buns to cool for a few minutes before serving. These Spiced Chicken Stuffed Buns are perfect on their own or served with a side of yogurt, chutney, or a salad.
Tips:
- If you prefer a bit of heat, you can add chopped green chilies to the chicken filling while cooking.
- If you don’t have ground chicken, you can finely chop chicken breast or thigh for a chunkier filling.
- For added richness, try incorporating a little cream or yogurt into the chicken filling after it has cooked to make it creamy.
- To keep the buns soft, cover them with a kitchen towel right after baking and before serving.
These Spiced Chicken Stuffed Buns make a perfect savory snack or light meal. With their tender dough and spicy, aromatic filling, they’re sure to be a favorite for anyone who loves bold flavors and satisfying comfort food.