Chicken Potstickers Pan Fried Dumplings Recipe
Introduction
Chicken potstickers are pan-fried dumplings with a delightfully crispy bottom and tender, flavorful filling. This recipe guides you through making the dough and filling from scratch for an authentic and satisfying treat.

Ingredients
- For the Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 cup warm water (around 110°F or 43°C)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- For the Filling:
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 cup finely chopped napa cabbage
- 1/2 cup finely chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup finely chopped shiitake mushrooms (optional)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- For Cooking:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or any neutral oil)
- 1/2 cup water
- For Dipping Sauce (optional):
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce (or more, to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger (optional)
- 1 green onion, thinly sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt for the dough. Gradually add the warm water while mixing with a wooden spoon or your hands until a shaggy dough forms.
- Step 2: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. If sticky, add flour a tablespoon at a time; if dry, add water a teaspoon at a time.
- Step 3: Form the dough into a ball, place it in a bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let rest for at least 30 minutes.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, prepare the filling by combining ground chicken, napa cabbage, green onions, shiitake mushrooms (if using), soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, sugar, white pepper, and salt in a large bowl. Mix gently until combined.
- Step 5: Cook a small amount of filling in a pan to taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Step 6: After resting, divide the dough in half. Roll one half into a 1-inch diameter rope, then cut into 20-25 pieces.
- Step 7: Flatten each piece into a 3-inch circle, keeping the center slightly thicker to prevent leaks.
- Step 8: Place about 1 tablespoon of filling in the center of each wrapper. Fold in half to form a half-moon shape, pinch edges to seal, and optionally pleat for decoration.
- Step 9: Place assembled potstickers on a lightly floured baking sheet or parchment-lined plate to prevent sticking.
- Step 10: Heat vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange potstickers in a single layer without crowding.
- Step 11: Cook for 2-3 minutes until bottoms are golden brown.
- Step 12: Carefully add 1/2 cup water to the skillet, cover immediately, reduce heat to medium-low, and steam for 8-10 minutes until cooked through and water evaporates.
- Step 13: For extra crispiness, remove lid and cook an additional 1-2 minutes until bottoms brown nicely.
- Step 14: Remove potstickers from skillet and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Tips & Variations
- Use warm water around 110°F to help the dough come together smoothly.
- Adjust the filling seasoning by cooking a small test portion before assembling.
- For easier shaping, keep unused dough covered to prevent drying out.
- Add finely chopped mushrooms or water chestnuts for extra texture.
- Try folding and pleating edges for a classic potsticker look.
- Serve with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and chili garlic sauce for the best flavor.
Storage
Store uncooked potstickers in a single layer on a baking sheet, covered tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. For longer storage, freeze on a tray, then transfer to a zip-top bag for up to 2 months. Cook directly from frozen, adding extra steaming time. Cooked potstickers keep in the fridge for 2-3 days; reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water to restore crispiness and warmth.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought wrappers instead of making dough?
Yes, store-bought dumpling wrappers are a convenient alternative and work well with this filling. Just adjust your folding and sealing method accordingly.
How can I prevent potstickers from sticking to the pan?
Make sure to heat the oil until hot before adding potstickers and avoid overcrowding the pan. Using a non-stick skillet and adding water to steam with a lid on helps create the signature crispy bottom without sticking.
PrintChicken Potstickers Pan Fried Dumplings Recipe
Chicken Potstickers are crispy, pan-fried dumplings filled with juicy ground chicken and vegetables wrapped in homemade dough. These Asian-inspired dumplings are pan-seared to a golden brown bottom, then steamed to cook through, resulting in a perfect texture contrast of crispiness and tenderness. Served best with a tangy and spicy dipping sauce, this recipe is approachable and rewarding for home cooks.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 40–50 potstickers 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 cup warm water (around 110°F or 43°C)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 cup finely chopped napa cabbage
- 1/2 cup finely chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup finely chopped shiitake mushrooms (optional, but highly recommended!)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste, remember the soy sauce is salty!)
For Cooking
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or any neutral oil)
- 1/2 cup water
Dipping Sauce (optional)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce (or more, to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger (optional)
- 1 green onion, thinly sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Making the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt to evenly distribute the salt. Gradually add 1 cup of warm water (about 110°F/43°C), mixing with a wooden spoon or hands until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding more flour or water as needed. Form the dough into a ball, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rest for at least 30 minutes to relax the gluten.
- Preparing the Filling: While the dough rests, combine 1 pound ground chicken, 1 cup finely chopped napa cabbage, 1/2 cup chopped green onions, 1/4 cup chopped shiitake mushrooms (optional), 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1/4 teaspoon white pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly but gently to combine. Cook a small portion in a pan to taste and adjust seasoning accordingly.
- Forming the Potstickers: Divide the rested dough in half. Roll one half into a 1-inch diameter rope and cut into 20-25 one-inch pieces. Flatten each piece into a 3-inch diameter circle using a rolling pin or dumpling press, keeping the center slightly thicker. Place about 1 tablespoon of filling in the center of each wrapper, fold in half to create a half-moon, and pinch edges firmly to seal. Optionally, create pleats along the edge for decorative sealing. Place finished potstickers on a floured baking sheet or parchment-lined plate to prevent sticking. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
- Cooking the Potstickers: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Arrange potstickers in a single layer without touching (cook in batches if needed). Fry for 2-3 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown and crispy. Carefully pour 1/2 cup water into the skillet and cover immediately with a lid. Reduce heat to medium-low and steam for 8-10 minutes until water evaporates and potstickers are cooked through (wrappers should be translucent and filling hot). Optionally, uncover and cook 1-2 more minutes to crisp up bottoms further. Remove from skillet and serve hot with dipping sauce.
- Preparing the Dipping Sauce (Optional): In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce, and optionally 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger and thinly sliced green onion. Serve alongside potstickers for dipping.
Notes
- Letting the dough rest is essential for easier rolling and better texture.
- Adjust seasoning of filling by cooking a small test portion before assembling all potstickers.
- If preferred, use store-bought dumpling wrappers for shortcut.
- Do not overfill potstickers to prevent leaks during cooking.
- For extra crispy bottoms, remove lid once steaming is done and cook a bit longer uncovered.
- Shiittake mushrooms add an earthy flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Kneading the dough well develops gluten for a chewy, elastic texture.
- Use a non-stick skillet to prevent sticking and ease removal.
Keywords: chicken potstickers, dumplings, pan-fried dumplings, homemade dumplings, Asian appetizer, crispy potstickers, ground chicken dumplings