Nourishing Baked Chicken Wontons

This simple chicken wonton recipe cuts down on fat and calories by baking instead of deep-frying. It uses reduced-fat peanut butter and a sugar substitute. Great for guests mindful of their waistlines at your party!

Enjoy these hot wontons with a dipping sauce as an appetizer or as part of a dim sum spread. They're flavorful on their own but pair well with dipping options like soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, ketchup, cocktail sauce, or spicy Chinese mustard.

Cooking spray, for the baking sheets
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons chopped shallots
1 clove garlic, chopped
2 green onions, chopped
8 ounces ground chicken
3 tablespoons reduced-fat peanut butter
3 tablespoons shredded carrot
1 teaspoon green curry paste
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons of sugar alternative like ZSweet
2 teaspoons lime juice
32 wonton wrappers

Steps to Make It

01. Gather all the required ingredients.

02. Preheat the oven to 350 F and prepare two 9 x 13-inch baking sheets by spraying them with nonstick cooking spray.

03. In a wok over medium-high heat, add oil, pouring it down the sides. Once hot, stir-fry shallots, garlic, and green onion briefly. Add the chicken and stir-fry until it changes color and is almost cooked through.

04. Add peanut butter, shredded carrots, green curry paste, soy sauce, sugar substitute, and lime juice. Take the wok off the heat and allow the mixture to cool down.

05. For filling and folding the wontons: Lay out the wonton wrappers and a small bowl of water. Place around 1 tablespoon of the chicken mixture in the center of a wonton wrapper.

06. Moisten the edges of the wrapper with water using your finger.

07. Take another wrapper, dampen its edges, and place it on top of the first wrapper, moistened-side down, forming a star shape.

08. Fold the bottom wrapper's star points over the top one and then fold the top wrapper's points under the bottom, creating small packets.

09. Repeat this process for the remaining mixture and wontons.

10. Arrange the wontons on the prepared baking sheets and lightly spray them with more cooking spray. Bake for 14 to 17 minutes or until both sides are browned, flipping them halfway through baking.

Tips

Cover the wonton wrappers with a lightly damp towel to prevent them from drying out. If there are extras, you can freeze the wrappers for up to three months.

Recipe Variations

Steaming the wontons presents a healthier option than baking. Prepare a steamer and line it with banana, cabbage, or lettuce leaves to prevent sticking. Steam the wontons covered for 5 to 7 minutes until the wrapper becomes soft and the filling heats through.
For a richer taste, you can opt for regular peanut butter and adjust sweetness to your liking.
If preferred, replace the ground chicken with ground pork or turkey. To make it vegetarian-friendly, swap the ground meat with an equal amount of coarsely grated firm tofu.

How to Freeze

Prepare the wontons in advance and freeze them. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet in the freezer until they're frozen, then move them to a freezer bag or container. Remember to thaw them before baking or deep-frying. Keep in mind that deep-frying will increase the calorie content due to the oil.

How do wonton wrappers differ from dumpling wrappers?

Wonton wrappers from stores are typically square, while dumpling wrappers tend to be round. Wonton wrappers are often thinner, but both types can vary in thickness. Occasionally, wonton wrappers may include egg along with flour and water.

Nourishing Baked Chicken Wontons