
Tex-Mex Egg Rolls
Crispy deep-fried rolls filled with chicken, black beans, sweetcorn, jalapeño and cheddar cheese.
About this recipe
Tex-Mex Egg Rolls are a bold fusion: the crispy cylinders of Asian cuisine filled with the unmistakable flavours of Texas - grilled shredded chicken, black beans, sweetcorn, red pepper, jalapeño, cheddar cheese and taco spices. The spring roll or wonton wrapper is tightly sealed and deep-fried until golden and crispy on the outside, with a melting, spiced filling inside. Served cut on the diagonal, accompanied by creamy guacamole or a coriander and lime dipping sauce. Popularised by the Chili's chain in the 1990s, they are now one of the most recognised fusion Tex-Mex starters worldwide.
History & Origin
Tex-Mex Egg Rolls were born in the 1990s at the Chili's Bar & Grill restaurant chain, when their chefs experimented with combining the crispy wrapper of the Asian spring roll with the filling of a Texan burrito. The dish immediately became one of the most ordered starters on the menu and launched a wave of 'Asia-Mex' fusions in American restaurants. The term 'egg roll' is itself an American name for the fried spring roll (in China it is called differently by region), and the 'Tex-Mex egg roll' is a triple fusion: Asian technique + Mexican ingredients + Texan culture. In the 2000s, TGI Fridays, Applebee's and dozens of Tex-Mex restaurants copied the concept, making it a classic American starter menu item. Today they are made at home with wonton or spring roll wrappers available in Asian supermarkets.
Estimated cost
$9.67
Total cost
$2.42
Per serving
* Approximate prices based on Australian supermarkets
Nutritional information per serving
420
Calories
26g
Protein
36g
Carbohydrates
20g
Fat
5g
Fibre
760mg
Sodium
* Approximate values. May vary depending on ingredients used.
Method
- 1
Cook the chicken on a griddle or in a frying pan with salt, pepper and cumin until golden. Leave to cool and shred finely.
💡 Ready-made supermarket rotisserie chicken saves time and works perfectly.
- 2
Mix the shredded chicken in a bowl with the drained black beans, sweetcorn, finely diced red pepper, diced jalapeño, grated cheddar, cumin and chilli powder. Adjust the seasoning.
💡 The filling must be completely cold before rolling so it doesn't soften the wrapper.
- 3
Place a spring roll wrapper diagonally on the work surface. Put 2 tablespoons of filling in the centre. Fold the bottom corner up, then the sides, and roll tightly upwards. Seal the end with a little water.
💡 Don't overfill: the roll must close properly so it doesn't burst during frying.
- 4
Deep-fry the rolls in plenty of oil at 180°C for 3-4 minutes, turning halfway, until evenly golden and crispy. Drain on kitchen paper.
💡 Fry 3 at a time to keep the oil temperature stable.
- 5
Cut them diagonally in half to reveal the colourful filling. Serve immediately with homemade guacamole and a coriander-lime dipping sauce.
💡 For the coriander-lime sauce: blend Greek yoghurt, coriander, lime, garlic and salt in a blender.
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Founder, Recetas Mexas
Mexican from Puebla, IT professional and foodie. Author of 1000+ authentic Mexican recipes adapted for home kitchens worldwide. Based in Madrid since 2018.
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