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Irresistible Southwest Eggrolls

Featured in Start the Party: Crowd-Pleasing Appetizers.

These eggrolls are a flavor-packed take on Chili's famous dish. A crunchy wrapper envelops a mix of shredded chicken, spinach, black beans, corn, and bell peppers, all seasoned with spices like chili powder and cumin. Monterey Jack cheese adds richness, while jalapeños let you tweak the heat. Fried to perfection and paired with a smooth avocado ranch dip, these make for a perfect party starter or a fun dinner. They bring restaurant-quality flavor straight to your table.
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Updated on Fri, 07 Mar 2025 05:22:09 GMT
Crunchy Southwest Eggrolls Pin it
Crunchy Southwest Eggrolls | linacooks.com

Bring the taste of your favorite restaurant appetizer home with these crispy Southwest egg rolls. Filled with tender shredded chicken, black beans, corn, and melted cheese, these golden-brown rolls capture that perfect balance of textures and flavors. Pair them with homemade avocado ranch sauce for an appetizer that rivals the original.

After testing multiple versions of this recipe, these egg rolls have become a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at parties and gatherings. The combination of textures and flavors keeps everyone coming back for more.

Key Ingredients

  • Fresh Egg Roll Wrappers: Found in most grocery store refrigerated sections
  • Shredded Chicken: Freshly cooked or rotisserie chicken both work well
  • Black Beans and Sweet Corn: Provides authentic Southwest texture and flavor
  • Diced Jalapeños: Adds the perfect level of heat
  • Shredded Monterey Jack: Melts beautifully and binds ingredients together
Crispy Southwest eggrolls filled with chicken, black beans, and bold flavors. Pin it
Crispy Southwest eggrolls filled with chicken, black beans, and bold flavors. | linacooks.com

Preparation Steps

Making the Filling:
Start by heating oil in a large skillet. Cook diced peppers until soft, then add scallions and jalapeños. Mix in corn and beans to heat through. Season with Southwest spices. Finish with fresh spinach until just wilted.
Rolling Technique:
Position wrapper like a diamond. Place filling below center. Fold bottom corner up and over filling, fold sides in, then roll upward. Seal edge with water and place seam-side down.
Cooking Method:
Heat oil to 375°F. Fry rolls in small batches until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Drain on wire rack.

Perfecting Your Technique

The key to perfect egg rolls lies in the rolling technique. A tight, even roll ensures the filling stays contained and cooks evenly throughout.

Dipping Sauce Options

Traditional avocado ranch provides the perfect creamy complement, but cilantro-lime crema or spicy chipotle sauce work wonderfully as alternatives.

Advance Preparation

Roll and freeze uncooked egg rolls for later use. Arrange in a single layer to freeze, then transfer to freezer storage bags once solid.

Alternative Cooking Method

For a lighter version, brush with oil and bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through cooking time.

Serving Suggestions

These Southwest egg rolls make an impressive appetizer for any gathering. Serve immediately while hot and crispy, accompanied by fresh lime wedges and your choice of dipping sauce.

Chili's-inspired Southwest eggrolls, a savory appetizer with a Tex-Mex twist. Pin it
Chili's-inspired Southwest eggrolls, a savory appetizer with a Tex-Mex twist. | linacooks.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Is baking an option instead of frying?
Totally! Bake them at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, turning once. They won’t be quite as crispy but still taste great.
→ Can I prep these ahead?
Yes! Build them in advance, then fry them fresh before serving for the best results.
→ How spicy do they turn out?
You’re in control! Adjust the cayenne or jalapeños to suit your heat preference.
→ What’s the best way to store extras?
Pop cooled rolls in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for crispiness.
→ Can I freeze these?
Absolutely! Freeze uncooked rolls for up to three months. Fry them straight from the freezer, adding an extra 1-2 minutes.

Southwest Chicken Rolls

Crispy rolls stuffed with spiced chicken, peppers, corn, black beans, and cheese, served with a homemade avocado ranch sauce.

Prep Time
25 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes
By: Paolina

Category: Appetizers

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings (10-12 egg rolls)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Egg Roll Filling

01 8 oz of cooked chicken breast, shredded
02 2 tablespoons of olive oil
03 Half a cup of canned black beans, rinsed and drained
04 Half a cup of corn (use fresh, thawed frozen, or canned)
05 1/4 cup diced green onions
06 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
07 1 diced jalapeño pepper
08 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro
09 1/3 cup thawed frozen spinach; chop it up
10 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
11 3/4 teaspoon chili powder
12 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
14 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
15 10 to 12 wrappers for egg rolls
16 Oil for frying

→ Avocado Ranch Sauce

17 Half a cup of ranch dressing
18 1 ripe avocado, mashed well
19 2 tablespoons buttermilk
20 1 1/2 teaspoons of lime juice
21 A quarter teaspoon salt
22 A quarter teaspoon of garlic powder
23 A quarter teaspoon of onion powder
24 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, minced

Instructions

Step 01

In a large pan, warm up olive oil and cook the diced red bell pepper until it softens. Toss in green onions, jalapeño, corn, spinach, and black beans. Stir in the cumin, chili powder, salt, and cayenne. Let everything cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the veggies are softer.

Step 02

Pour the cooked veggie mix into a large bowl. Add the shredded chicken, Monterey Jack, and chopped cilantro. Stir well so everything’s combined.

Step 03

Lay an egg roll wrapper down so a pointed corner faces you. Put about 1/4 cup of the filling right in the middle. Fold up the bottom corner, then fold in the sides, and roll everything tightly. Wet the top corner with water so it sticks. Do this for the rest of the wrappers.

Step 04

Heat the frying oil to 375°F (190°C). Fry a few egg rolls at a time, cooking each for about 3 to 4 minutes until they’re golden with a crispy exterior. Drain on paper towels to remove extra oil.

Step 05

Combine ranch dressing, mashed avocado, buttermilk, lime juice, garlic powder, salt, onion powder, and cilantro in a blender. Blend everything into a smooth mixture. Serve it with the freshly fried egg rolls.

Notes

  1. If you like less heat, skip or use less jalapeño.
  2. Corn can be fresh, canned, or frozen and thawed before using.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large pan for cooking
  • A deep fryer or large pot for frying
  • Blender for the sauce
  • Paper towels for draining oil

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Has dairy in the cheese, ranch, and buttermilk
  • Wrappers for egg rolls contain gluten

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~