Lemongrass Chicken Rice Paper Burrito

This Lemongrass Chicken Rice Paper Burrito is fresh, crunchy, herby and packed with juicy caramelised chicken, quick pickled vegetables and loads of texture. They’re inspired by Vietnamese-style rice paper rolls, but wrapped like giant burritos for something a little more fun, satisfying and ridiculously good to eat.

The lemongrass chicken is salty, sweet and fragrant, while the quick pickled carrot and cucumber cut through everything perfectly. Wrapped up with iceberg lettuce, coriander and Vietnamese mint, they feel super fresh but still filling enough for lunch or dinner.

Looking for other ways to use rice paper? You'll love my Crispy Pork Rolled Rice Paper Dumplings or my Prawn Rice Paper Dumplings with Thai Red Curry Sauce

Why you’ll love this Lemongrass Chicken Rice Paper Burrito

• These lemongrass chicken rice paper burritos are packed with fresh crunchy vegetables, juicy caramelised chicken and loads of herbs, making them feel really vibrant and satisfying without being heavy. They’re fresh and nourishing while still having heaps of flavour and texture.
• The lemongrass chicken is honestly the star of the whole recipe. It becomes deeply savoury and slightly sticky from the fish sauce, soy and sugar, while the lemongrass, garlic and ginger keep everything tasting bright and fragrant. Using chicken thighs also means the filling stays juicy and tender.
• The quick pickled carrot and cucumber completely make these burritos. They add acidity, crunch and freshness that balances the chicken so well, while also giving the wraps heaps of colour and texture.
• Rolling everything into giant rice paper burritos instead of traditional small rice paper rolls makes them much easier and faster to assemble. They feel more substantial and filling too, making them perfect for lunch or dinner rather than just a snack or appetiser.
• They’re incredibly versatile and easy to customise depending on what you already have in the fridge. You can add avocado, noodles, cabbage, tofu, prawns or different herbs and still end up with something delicious.

Ingredients for Lemongrass Chicken Rice Paper Burrito

• Chicken thighs: Stay juicy and caramelise beautifully when cooked.
• Lemongrass: Adds fresh citrusy flavour that makes the chicken really fragrant.
• Garlic: Gives savoury depth to the marinade.
• Ginger: Adds warmth and freshness.
• Fish sauce: Brings saltiness and deep umami flavour.
• Soy sauce: Balances the marinade with savoury richness.
• Brown sugar or honey: Helps the chicken caramelise while balancing the salty flavours.
• Rice paper sheets: Create the soft chewy wrap that holds everything together.
• Carrot: Adds crunch, sweetness and colour.
• Cucumber: Keeps the filling fresh and juicy.
• Rice vinegar: Gives the quick pickle brightness and acidity.
• Iceberg lettuce: Adds crunch and freshness.
• Mint: Brings freshness and helps lighten the rich chicken.
• Coriander: Adds classic Vietnamese-style flavour and freshness.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

1. Step 1: Combine all spices into a large bowl and combine thoroughly with mixture

2. Form into ball shape with your hands

3. Step 3: Press into patties

4. Step 4: Cook in oven for x minutes at 400 degrees

Tips for the best rice paper burritos

• Don’t oversoak the rice paper. It should still feel slightly firm when you start rolling.
• Let the chicken rest before slicing so the juices stay inside.
• Slice the vegetables finely so the burritos roll tightly and evenly.
• If the rice paper sticks to itself while rolling, lightly wet your fingers.

Substitutions for Lemongrass Chicken Rice Paper Burrito

Chicken thighs: You can use chicken breast, pork, prawns, tofu or even crispy mushrooms instead. Chicken thighs give the juiciest result, but the recipe is very flexible.

Lemongrass: If you can’t find fresh lemongrass, lemongrass paste works well too. You could also lean more heavily into garlic and ginger for a slightly different flavour profile.

Fish sauce: Soy sauce or tamari can replace some or all of the fish sauce if needed, although you’ll lose a little depth and savouriness.

Iceberg lettuce: Cos lettuce, cabbage or even finely shredded wombok work beautifully for extra crunch.

Herbs: Thai basil works really well alongside or instead of mint and coriander.

Rice paper sheets: You can double layer them for sturdier burritos or use smaller sheets for mini versions.

Variations for Lemongrass Chicken Rice Paper Burrito

• Once rolled, lightly pan fry the burritos in a little oil until golden and crispy on both sides. The rice paper becomes chewy and crunchy, almost like a crispy spring roll wrapper.
• Add cooked rice vermicelli noodles to make the burritos even more filling and closer to classic Vietnamese rice paper rolls.
• Add sliced avocado for extra creaminess and richness. It works especially well with the pickled vegetables and herbs.
• Swap the chicken for crispy tofu or marinated tofu for a vegetarian version that still feels really satisfying.

What rice paper sheets should you buy?

I like using these rice paper sheets from coles, but any will work!

Storage

Store leftovers tightly wrapped in the fridge for up to 1 day. The rice paper softens over time, so they’re best eaten fresh. If pan fried, reheat in a frying pan to bring back the crispy texture.

FAQ

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, but they’re best eaten fresh. If making ahead, wrap tightly and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

Can I use chicken breast?

You can, but chicken thighs stay much juicier and more flavourful.

Can I pan fry them?

Yes. Lightly pan frying the burritos gives the rice paper a crispy chewy texture which is really delicious.

What other fillings work well?

Avocado, vermicelli noodles, cabbage, tofu or prawns would all work really well.

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

WATCH HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE:

Lemongrass Chicken Rice Paper Burrito

Sarah

These Lemongrass Chicken Rice Paper Burritos are fresh, crunchy, herby and packed with juicy caramelised chicken, quick pickled vegetables and loads of texture. They’re inspired by Vietnamese-style rice paper rolls, but wrapped like giant burritos for something a little more fun, satisfying and ridiculously good to eat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Course Lunch

Cuisine Vietnamese

Servings 2

Calories 560 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

Lemongrass Chicken

• 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1 stalk lemongrass (white part only) very finely minced
• 2 cloves garlic finely grated
• 1 tablespoon ginger f finely grated
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar or honey
• 1 tablespoon neutral oil

Quick pickled vegetables

• 1 carrot julienned
• ½ cucumber julienned
• 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt

To assemble

• 6 rice paper sheets
• ¼ iceberg lettuce finely shredded
• Small handful Vietnamese mint leaves
• Small handful coriander leaves

Instructions

 

• In a bowl, combine the chicken thighs, lemongrass, garlic, ginger, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar and oil. Mix well and allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes if possible.
• For the quick pickled vegetables, combine the carrot, cucumber, rice vinegar, sugar and salt in a bowl. Toss well and leave to lightly pickle while the chicken cooks.
• Bring a frying pan to medium/high heat. Cook the chicken thighs for around 5–6 minutes per side until deeply caramelised and cooked through. Rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
• To assemble the rice paper burritos, fill a large shallow bowl or tray with warm water. Dip three rice paper sheets in the water for a couple of seconds then lay flat, refer to the video above to see how to lay them but basically it will look like a 3 circle Venn diagram with two at the bottom and on at the top.
• Layer the lettuce, herbs, sliced chicken and pickled vegetables through the centre. Roll tightly like a burrito, folding the sides inward as you roll.
• Slice in half and enjoy

Nutrition

Calories: 560kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 51gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 220mgSodium: 2342mgPotassium: 875mgFiber: 3gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 5213IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 82mgIron: 4mg

Keyword Lemongrass Chicken Rice Paper Burrito, Rice paper burrito, rice paper recipes

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!