Rotisserie Chicken Summer Rolls are a crunchy, low-carbohydrate summer roll made with vibrant julienned veggies and a delicious tomato-basil dressing. They are better than anything you’ll find at a restaurant and are great for a light summer lunch!
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These Chicken Summer Rolls are healthy, light and the perfect meal to kick off summer. You can enjoy for lunch, dinner or even as an appetizer.
Cameron and I usually switch off with who makes dinner, and when it was my turn last week I made us these Rotisserie Chicken Summer Rolls.
He told me 1. That he loved them and 2. These summer rolls tasted like a chicken salad in a roll – which I totally agree with!
The weather has been scorching so I didn’t want to fuss with turning on the stove or oven.
The rolls are filled with cucumber, carrots, rotisserie chicken, butter leaf lettuce, green onions, basil and dipped in a refreshing tomato basil dressing. #YUMMY
They are a great gluten-free option and to make more
satisfying, you can always add in rice.
If you have never worked with rice paper
before, it can be a little frustrating. But, I am going to share with you my
tips and tricks to making the best chicken summer rolls every time – without ripping
or wasting your rice paper!
What are summer rolls?
Many of us have heard of Fresh Spring Rolls…but what are summer rolls?
Think of a summer roll as a salad roll or a fresh variation of the Spring roll. This summer roll is filled with freshly julienned vegetables, chicken and herbs which is all easily recognized through the refreshing Vietnamese rice paper exterior.
These chicken summer rolls are visually appealing due to their vibrant colors they scream fresh and they are accompanied with a tomato basil dressing that brings the entire dish together.
What is rice paper?
Rice paper is very thin wrappers traditionally made from rice, water and salt that can be filled with almost anything (cold proteins, veggies, herbs and sometimes noodles).
Since they are so thin, the wrappers are almost translucent so you can see whatever is inside. They also have a nice chewiness to them.
What you’ll need to make Rotisserie Chicken Summer Rolls:
You don’t have to limit yourself to the fillings, because the possibilities are endless with summer rolls. This is one of my favorite and simple combinations.
Rotisserie Chicken: I use this for ease, but you can use any chicken you have on hand and shred it.
Rice Paper: When buying your rice paper, look for wrappers made with rice or with a combination of rice and tapioca.
Cucumber
Carrots
Green Onions
Fresh Basil
Butter leaf lettuce
Tomato basil dressing: tomatoes, lemon juice, basil, mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, honey, olive oil, salt and pepper
Add variety to your summer rolls by adding in avocado, rice, microgreens, rice vermicelli, mint, Thai basil, ginger, shrimp, pork, etc.
How to make Summer Rolls:
Dip a sheet of rice paper (6-inch rounds) into a your bowl of lukewarm or cool water for 10-15 seconds then lay flat on a damp towel on top of a cutting board or firm surface.
Working on bottom third of rice paper, spread the butter lettuce on first followed by the pieced chicken and carrots. Fold up the bottom edge to cover so the edge of the rice paper hits the middle piece of the rice paper.
Then, layer on the basil, green onion, cucumber, and more of the chicken mixture. Fold in the sides and gently, but tightly fold up until the roll is closed and snug.
Place the finished roll on a plate that is lined with a damp paper towel.
Continue with remaining ingredients, being sure not to place the finished summer rolls next to each other because they will stick.
To serve, cut each roll in half crosswise and serve with the tomato-basil dressing.
What you need to know before making Summer Rolls:
Preparation is KEY: Mise en Place! Make a work station for all of the ingredients you’ll be placing in the summer rolls. Line them all up using individual bowls or on a baking sheet because you will have to work quickly.
Rice paper is fragile and needs to be handled carefully. The rice paper is sold in dried, circular sheets and before using them you will need to rehydrate them (by placing in water) to make them pliable.
Softening the rice paper is a skill, but one that can easily be learned.
You will need a bowl of lukewarm warm (or even cool temp water is fine), a cutting board and a damp towel over the cutting board. Place the rice paper in the lukewarm water bowl for about 10-15 seconds just until it starts to soften.
Then carefully place the rice paper evenly on the damp towel on the cutting board. The moisture from the towel will make the rice paper more tender and prevent it from sticking.
When taking the rice paper out of the water you will need to be careful so it doesn’t collapse on itself, and immediately lay it flat on the damp towel. (Don’t be discouraged if you have to throw away a few sheets of rice paper, you’ll get the hang of it!).
FAQ
What is the difference between spring rolls and summer rolls?
Spring rolls are typically fried while summer rolls are made with rice paper and served cold.
Are rice paper rolls healthy?
Rice paper is a nutritious option and low in both carbohydrates and fat. I love that you can load up this recipes with a ton of veggies for a vibrant and healthful meal.
How long do summer rolls keep?
Best enjoyed within 2 days, kept in an airtight container in the fridge.
How far in advance can I make summer rolls?
I’d say 1 day in advance, refrigerate and then serve the next day. The rice paper may dry out; just give the rice paper a little mist to rehydrate them a couple minutes prior to serving.
Rotisserie Chicken Summer Rolls are a crunchy, low-carbohydrate summer roll made with vibrant julienned veggies and a delicious tomato-basil dressing. They are better than anything you’ll find at a restaurant and are great for a light summer lunch!
Dip a sheet of rice paper (6-inch rounds) into a your bowl of lukewarm or cool water for 10-15 seconds then lay flat on a damp towel on top of a cutting board or firm surface.
Working on the bottom third of rice paper, spread the butter lettuce on first followed by the pieced chicken and carrots. Fold up the bottom edge to cover so the edge of the rice paper hits the middle piece of the rice paper.
Then, layer on the basil, green onions, cucumber, and more of the chicken mixture. Fold in the sides and gently, but tightly fold up until the roll is closed and snug.
Place the finished roll on a plate that is lined with a damp paper towel. Continue with remaining ingredients, being sure not to place the finished summer rolls next to each other because they will stick.
To serve, cut each roll in half crosswise. Blend the tomato/basil dressing ingredients in a food processor. Serve with the summer rolls.
Notes
Or you can use your favorite sauces and dressing to dip these in! Options are endless.
Welcome to my tiny “korner” on the Internet! I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves cookies as much as kale. (OK, maybe I like cookies a little bit more but shh, don’t tell anyone). I am so glad you’re here! Follow along for hassle free, realistic and approachable recipes.
Very good! Do you have the nutritional information for this?
Thank you so much! Nutrition information is at the bottom of the recipe card 🙂
Do you make the dressing in a food processor?
Hi! Yes or a blender! It’s a very light dressing. I hope you love it!
These are absolutely delicious and gorgeous! Your tips making working the rice paper so much easier!
Hi Pam – thank you so much! I’m glad my tips are helpful! 🙂
This is such a delicious idea!! Couldn’t believe how easy it was to make with the chicken! And that dressing was top notch!
Thank you so much Suzy! I am glad you loved it – you’ll have to try the Thai peanut sauce with them next for a different flavor! 🙂
This was such a great recipe! Flavorful, quick and delicious! Yum!
I’m so glad, thank you Beth!!
These are beautiful and full of delicious ingredients! and OH so perfect for summer
Thank you so much Cindy!!
These look so bright and fresh, I can’t wait to try them!
Thank you so much Amy, hope you love them! 🙂