Effortless Copycat Tokyo Joes Chicken Spring Rolls: A Fresh, No-Cook Summer Delight
Summer is truly in full swing, bringing with it a whirlwind of activity! The past few weeks have been a delightful mix of camp adventures, visits from cherished friends, refreshing trips to the pool, and countless hours spent enjoying the great outdoors. My son has embraced the freedom of no school with boundless enthusiasm, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to watch him revel in his favorite summer pastimes. Even if our usual routine is completely upended, these moments of joy are absolutely priceless.
One particular highlight was hosting friends who brought their adorable 11-month-old daughter. It was my son’s first time interacting with a baby in years, and he was completely captivated. He cherished teaching her new things and observing her innocent exploration of the world. His gentle nature and patience with her were truly heartwarming to witness. It’s safe to say he was quite sad to see them go, but the memories made were truly special.
Beat the Heat with These Refreshing No-Cook Spring Rolls
This summer has also brought its fair share of intense heat. While some days offer perfect weather, we’ve already experienced several days soaring into the upper 90s. On such scorching days, the last thing I want to do is stand over a hot stove or even fire up the grill. That’s precisely where these incredibly easy and refreshing chicken spring rolls come to the rescue! They are the ultimate solution for a delicious meal without adding any extra heat to your kitchen.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility and minimal cooking requirements. You can certainly cook your own chicken if you prefer, but for those truly sweltering days, a store-bought rotisserie chicken is an absolute game-changer. Opting for a pre-cooked chicken means you won’t have to cook anything at all! Simply assemble these vibrant rolls, and you’ll have a light, healthy, and utterly delicious dinner ready to be enjoyed straight from the fridge. They’re perfect for meal prepping and keeping cool when the temperatures rise.
The Inspiration: Tokyo Joes’ Irresistible Spring Rolls
The inspiration for this phenomenal copycat recipe comes from a local restaurant called Tokyo Joes. Despite its proximity, I’ve never actually had the chance to visit myself. My wonderful friend, Sandra from A Dash of Sanity, once brought me their chicken spring rolls, and it was love at first bite! I’ve been dreaming about them ever since. Unfortunately, the restaurant is quite a drive from my house, making spontaneous trips for more of those delectable rolls a rare occurrence. But now, with this homemade version, I don’t have to make the trek!
What makes Tokyo Joes’ spring rolls so special is their incredible freshness and vibrant combination of ingredients. Each roll is packed with crisp cucumber slices, tender matchstick carrots, delicate rice noodles, creamy avocado, and succulent chicken. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that feels both satisfying and light. While Tokyo Joes offers a variety of dipping sauces, I found myself drawn to their classic Teriyaki sauce. For my copycat version at home, I decided to “doctor it up” a little, adding my own touch to elevate the flavor profile, and the result was simply amazing. I prepared these copycat Tokyo Joes chicken spring rolls for lunch just the other day, and my son absolutely adored them. He even requested to help me roll them next time, which tells me exactly what’s on the menu for lunch this week!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Spring Roll Recipe
- Effortless Preparation: With pre-cooked chicken, these spring rolls require almost no cooking, making them perfect for busy weeknights or hot days.
- Incredibly Fresh and Healthy: Loaded with crisp vegetables, lean protein, and light rice noodles, they’re a nutritious and satisfying meal option.
- Customizable: Easily swap ingredients to suit your taste or what you have on hand.
- Kid-Friendly: My son loves them, and rolling them can be a fun activity for kids to help with!
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Make a batch and store them in the fridge for healthy lunches or quick dinners throughout the week.
Tips for Perfect Homemade Spring Rolls
Working with rice paper wrappers can be a bit tricky at first, but with a few tips, you’ll be rolling like a pro in no time!
- Warm Water is Key: Ensure your water is warm, not hot. Too hot and the wrappers become overly sticky and tear easily. Too cold, and they won’t soften enough.
- One at a Time: Only soak one rice paper wrapper at a time. They soften quickly, and you want to work with them while they’re pliable but not overly sticky.
- Don’t Over-soak: 15-20 seconds is usually enough. It will continue to soften slightly after you remove it from the water.
- Don’t Overfill: This is a common mistake. Start with less filling than you think you need. You can always add more once you get the hang of rolling.
- Tight, but Not Too Tight: You want a snug roll to keep the ingredients together, but if it’s too tight, the wrapper can tear.
- Keep Them Moist: Once rolled, place them on a tray and cover loosely with a damp paper towel or plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out.
Copycat Tokyo Joes Chicken Spring Rolls
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Ingredients
Rolls
- 1 cup cooked chicken, thinly sliced (rotisserie chicken works great!)
- 1 1/2 cup match stick carrots
- 1 avocado, sliced into thin strips
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced or julienned
- 2 cups rice noodles, cooked according to package directions and cooled
- 8 sheets rice paper, standard round size
Dipping Sauce
- 1/3 cup Teriyaki Sauce, (use a low sodium option for healthier control)
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (for a zesty kick)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic, grated (fresh is best!)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, for garnish and flavor
Instructions
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Begin by setting up your rolling station. Fill a 13×9 inch baking dish or a wide, shallow bowl with warm (not hot) water. Carefully place one sheet of rice paper into the warm water, ensuring it is fully submerged. Let it sit for about 15-20 seconds until it becomes soft, pliable, and translucent.
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Gently remove the softened rice paper and spread it flat on a clean, damp plate or cutting board. Now it’s time to fill! Arrange a small handful (about 1/4 cup each) of matchstick carrots and cooked rice noodles in the center, slightly towards the bottom edge of the wrapper. Add 2 thin slices of avocado, a couple of slices of your cooked chicken, and a few crisp cucumber slices on top of the noodles and carrots. Be careful not to overfill.
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To roll, first fold the bottom half of the rice paper over the filling, tucking it in snugly. Then, fold in both the left and right sides towards the center. Finally, starting from the bottom, tightly roll the entire spring roll upwards until it’s completely sealed. The natural stickiness of the rice paper will hold it together.
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Place the finished spring roll on a serving tray or plate. Repeat this process with the remaining ingredients until all 8 spring rolls are assembled. If you’re not serving them immediately, cover the tray loosely with a damp paper towel or plastic wrap to keep the rolls from drying out, and place them in the fridge until ready to serve.
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Meanwhile, prepare the delicious dipping sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the teriyaki sauce, grated fresh ginger, and grated garlic until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Before serving, sprinkle generously with sesame seeds for an added layer of flavor and texture. Serve immediately with your freshly made spring rolls and enjoy this delightful, healthy meal!
Nutrition Information (Approximate)
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Information for Your Fresh Spring Rolls
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Variations and Customizations for Your Spring Rolls
One of the best things about fresh spring rolls is how incredibly versatile they are! Feel free to experiment with different fillings and dipping sauces to suit your personal preferences or dietary needs.
- Protein Power: Not a fan of chicken? No problem! These rolls are equally delicious with cooked shrimp, thinly sliced cooked pork, or even pan-seared tofu for a vegetarian option. For a vegan twist, simply omit the chicken and add extra veggies or seasoned tempeh.
- Vegetable Medley: While carrots, cucumber, and avocado are classics, don’t hesitate to add other colorful vegetables. Thinly sliced bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), shredded red cabbage, fresh mint leaves, cilantro, or even blanched asparagus can elevate your spring rolls.
- Noodle Alternatives: If you don’t have rice noodles, you can use vermicelli noodles or even very thinly sliced lettuce for a low-carb alternative.
- Spice It Up: If you enjoy a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to your dipping sauce or a drizzle of sriracha directly into the roll.
- Different Dipping Sauces: While our enhanced teriyaki sauce is fantastic, consider a classic peanut dipping sauce, a sweet chili sauce, or a tangy lime-fish sauce dressing for variety.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
These fresh spring rolls are best enjoyed immediately after preparation, as the rice paper can sometimes harden or become sticky if left out too long. However, they can be stored for a short period:
- Serving: Arrange them beautifully on a platter with small bowls of the dipping sauce. They make an excellent appetizer for gatherings, a light and healthy lunch, or a refreshing main course on a hot evening.
- Storage: If you have leftovers or are preparing them ahead of time, store the spring rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To prevent them from sticking to each other, you can place a piece of parchment paper between layers or wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap. They are best consumed within 1-2 days.
In conclusion, these copycat Tokyo Joes chicken spring rolls offer a perfect blend of convenience, health, and incredible flavor. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal, a fresh summer lunch, or a delightful appetizer that requires minimal cooking, this recipe has you covered. Enjoy the satisfaction of recreating a restaurant favorite in your own kitchen, customized exactly to your liking!
Want more fantastic copycat recipes to bring your favorite restaurant flavors home? Explore these delicious options:
Even more fun Copycat Recipes from around the web:
Chipotle’s Chicken Burrito Bowl – Table for Two
PF Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps – Baked in the South
Copycat Outback Blossom Sauce – Domestic Superhero