Samosa Recipe – Baked or fried super crispy Chicken Samosas full of well-seasoned chicken, peas and spiced up with just enough spices and heat . Great make ahead appetizer for parties .
If you have tried this vegetable samosa HERE, then it is time to treat yourself with another samosa. If you have not, you are missing out on a darn good appetizer/snack. Okay, you don’t like fried foods?Then make a healthier version of these street snacks by baking them instead of deep frying. And if you want it to be super quick, use filo dough.
What is a samosa?
Samosas are deep fried spicy pastry snacks that originated from India and East Asia but have quickly become an African favorite especially in the East (Kenya, Tanzania) and South African Countries, due to the influx of Indian immigrants to these parts of Africa. I would say it is quickly spreading to West African countries as well especially Nigeria.
Chicken Samosa
Now for the folks that have tried my vegetable samosa, I am going to say, you are in for another treat with this chicken samosa here. They both taste great, but if I where to pick one it would be this chicken version – cause I LOVE chicken! 😉
I am going to say that this right here is the top of my favorite fried appetizers. It is not only filling but it is out of this world good. The spice combination is what gets me all the time- curry, thyme, chili sauce, garlic, ginger, parsley, white pepper coupled with crispy crust. What’s not to love?
There’s an abundance of spices wrapped in this snacks. Spice lovers rejoice!
Here, I used coarsely ground chicken. I like to ground my own chicken whenever I can, however, you can use pre-bought ground chicken if you are press for time.
Samosa vs. Empanada
I don’t know about you, but there’s something really appetizing about fried pastry snacks. And only two names appear to stand out among others – samosa and empanada. Despite coming from two different cultures, these two are commonly linked with entertaining and celebration through the fact that they are easy to prepare and fork-free.
Both samosa and empanada consist of dough filled with meat, potatoes or veggies that are either fried or baked. But they vary in shape. Samosas are somewhat triangular and empanada are usually semi-circle.
In addition to that, samosa are commonly associated with Asia, Mediterranean and African cuisine with flavors mostly from that of turmeric, cayenne and curry powder, while empanada is a popular snack among Latin communities tracing to its Spanish roots. It can be sweet (like this Pineapple Emapanada) or savory, often filled with this Picadillo recipe.
Read more about the differencebetween the twoHERE.
If you’re looking for a great party/game day food or simply as an appetizer or snacks, try this Samosa recipe here and you wouldn’t regret it. It comes together easily without compromising the taste, and flies off the table too quickly. One of the best you’ll ever have!
Enjoy!
Watch How to Make It
Tips and Notes:
- If you don’t have much time, you can always use filo or phyllo dough.
- For the dough, you can use canola oil or any cooking oil in replacement of the clarified butter.
- You can either ground your chicken or use use pre-bought ground chicken.
Samosa Recipe - Baked or fried super crispy Chicken Samosas full of well-seasoned chicken, peas and spiced up with just enough spices and heat .
- 3 cups all-purpose flour , plus more as needed
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup ghee (clarified butter) or oil
- 1 cup warm water
- 1-2 tablespoons oil
- 1/2 medium onion , chopped
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon ginger , grated
- ½-1 teaspoon pepper sauce or chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/2 pound ground meat chicken, beef or turkey
- 2-3 tablespoons parsley or cilantro
- 1/3 cup frozen peas , thawed
- salt to taste
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In a medium- large skillet, add oil, onions, garlic, ginger and sauté, for about 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent any burns.
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Then add, curry, pepper sauce, paprika, white and cayenne pepper and continue stirring with a heavy wooden spoon, about 2 minutes.
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Add minced ground chicken mix until ingredients have been thoroughly combine. Simmer for about 5 minutes or more. Finally throw in peas, parsley , adjust the salt or seasoning, to taste. Remove from the heat and let it cool. You may prepare this a day in advance.
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In a large bow,l add flour and make a well then add sugar, salt.
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Followed by water, and ghee or oil
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Knead to form soft and sticky dough.
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Place dough on a heavily floured board and knead for about 3-4minutes. Continue to flour dough as needed to facilitate kneading. Be careful not to overdo it. Dough should be soft, elastic and smooth.
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On a lightly floured surface, form the dough into 16 balls.
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Roll the dough using a lightly floured rolling pin; cut it half. Spoon a generous 1-2 tablespoons filling in the center of a half-circle; lightly moisten the dough edges with water or flour paste, using your finger. Fold the end over the filling to form a triangle, and then continue to fold up the strip in triangles, like you would a flag. Continue with remaining dough. Set samosas on tray.
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In a large sauce pan, pour vegetable oil, until it is at least 3 inches, and place on medium heat or until oil is 350 degrees.
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When ready, gently place a few samosas at a time into the saucepan.
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Fry for a few minutes until the bottom side is light brown.
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Turn over and fry for a few more minutes until the other side is light brown.
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Serve warm or at room temperature with this avocado ranch dressing.
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If baking, place on a baking sheet and brush with canola oil. Then bake at 375 degrees F for about 20 minutes or more until golden brown, turning once.
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Use a large spoon or something like that to take it out of the oil. Repeat the process until finish. Best serve warm with this pepper sauce.
- If you are press with time, you can buy pre-bought ground chicken.
How to Make Samosa
In a medium- large skillet, add oil, onions, garlic, ginger and sauté, for about 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent any burns. Then add, curry, pepper sauce, paprika, white and cayenne pepper and continue stirring with a heavy wooden spoon, about 2 minutes.
Add minced ground chicken mix until ingredients have been thoroughly combine. Simmer for about 5 minutes or more. Finally throw in peas, parsley, adjust the salt or seasoning, to taste. Remove from the heat and let it cool. You may prepare this a day in advance.
In a large bowl, add flour and make a well then add sugar, salt. Followed by water, and ghee or oil. Knead to form soft and sticky dough.
Place dough on a heavily floured board and knead for about 3-4minutes. Continue to flour dough as needed to facilitate kneading. Be careful not to overdo it. Dough should be soft, elastic and smooth. On a lightly floured surface, form the dough into 16 balls. Roll the dough using a lightly floured rolling pin; cut it half.
Spoon a generous 1-2 tablespoons filling in the center of a half-circle; lightly moisten the dough edges with water or flour paste, using your finger. Fold the end over the filling to form a triangle, and then continue to fold up the strip in triangles, like you would a flag. Continue with remaining dough. Set samosas on tray.
Deep Frying. In a large sauce pan, pour vegetable oil, until it is at least 3 inches, and place on medium heat or until oil is 350 degrees. When ready, gently place a few samosas at a time into the saucepan. Fry for a few minutes until the bottom side is light brown. Turn over and fry for a few more minutes until the other side is light brown. Serve warm or at room temperature with this avocado ranch dressing.
Baking. Place on a baking sheet and brush with canola oil. Then bake at 375 degrees F for about 20 minutes or more until golden brown, turning once. Use a large spoon or something like that to take it out of the oil. Repeat the process until finish. Best serve warm with this pepper sauce.
kymani davis says
17 May, 2019 at 12:14 pmi like the recipe but it is too long
Genny Zentella says
23 Feb, 2019 at 2:28 pmCame across your samosa recipe, seems something I can try to make. Like the instructional video and the recipe explanation looks easy to follow, thank you for sharing.
imma africanbites says
24 Feb, 2019 at 12:10 pmYou’re most welcome. Please do let me know how it turns out for you. Enjoy!
Blessing says
19 Feb, 2019 at 3:07 amGood day so you mean i can make the dough in this easy way? Thanks for sharing
imma africanbites says
20 Feb, 2019 at 2:35 amYes, you sure can. Enjoy! 🙂
Rahab says
4 Oct, 2018 at 8:56 amHi Immaculate, I really love most of your meal ideas and recipes. Now with these samosas I wish there was a video showing how you wrap them. I have several times and it’s always a disaster so I now use tortilla wraps but I know the ones made your way are very delicious.
Jessica says
30 Sep, 2018 at 5:39 pmI am wondering with the samosas, I am thinking of baking them instead of frying them. With the canola oil, do you mean to put that oil on the baking sheet or put it directly on the samosas before putting them on the baking sheet? I wasn’t sure.
Ctelle says
26 Mar, 2017 at 2:07 pmThere is no indication of where the cayenne and white pepper go/when they should be added. Assuming it’s just part of the seasoning of the ground chicken?
ImmaculateBites says
27 Mar, 2017 at 10:13 amYou add them with all the other spices. Thanks!
Ruth says
1 Jan, 2017 at 9:04 amI’m a bit confused with the recipe are we supposed to use both warm water and oil or we are to use one type of liquid that is either oil or water
ImmaculateBites says
1 Jan, 2017 at 4:23 pmYou are suppose to use both warm water and oil or ghee(clarified butter)
Lindsey says
13 Mar, 2017 at 2:45 pmWhat type of oil?
ImmaculateBites says
13 Mar, 2017 at 5:13 pmCanola or any cooking oil.
Andre says
19 Jan, 2016 at 5:28 amI have had samosas several times in my life and I always enjoyed them. Just last Friday I went out to eat dinner at The Cheesecake Factory and they served a spicy curry chicken samosa with some kind of yogurt dipping sauce. Inadvertently I didn’t ask what the sauce was made out of, silly me. Either way though, said samosas were so delectable that I was driven here to make some myself. I appreciate the recipe post. Thank you in advance.
ImmaculateBites says
20 Jan, 2016 at 4:30 amDo let me know how this works out for you. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.
Christine says
22 Jun, 2015 at 8:00 pmI think you can see the love emanating from your lovely pictures. I love samosas too, and would love to be able to have one of these right now!
ImmaculateBites says
23 Jun, 2015 at 5:44 amYou all are making me want to make this too! Thanks for taking the time to comment Christine
Farha - faskitchen says
21 Jun, 2015 at 4:03 amI love the samosas.. just the perfect recipe for breaking the fast.. stumbled.. yummly not working will be back again soon
ImmaculateBites says
22 Jun, 2015 at 7:04 amThanks Fa! I can eat tons of these without realizing I went overboard.
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says
31 Dec, 2014 at 8:08 amHow interesting! I had no idea the Indian samosas were so popular in both South and West African countries. Well, they look divine!! My husband loves chicken… I bet he would love to devour several of those.
Happy new year with good health and prosperity to you and your family.
ImmaculateBites says
31 Dec, 2014 at 11:50 amDenise, Happy New Year to you too! Wishing you and your family good health and prosperity too!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
30 Dec, 2014 at 7:07 pmI love samosas but I have surprisingly never made them myself before. If the recipe is this easy and delicious as you make it look – I definitely need to make them!
ImmaculateBites says
30 Dec, 2014 at 8:49 pmThalia, they sure are easy to make. Let me know if you do make it .
Nagi@RecipeTin Eats says
30 Dec, 2014 at 12:09 amAs soon as I come here, I drool on my keyboard. Classy image? Samosas. Girl, you really know your stuff. I adore samosas. I could eat them breakfast, lunch and dinner….except there is nowhere within 15km of me that sells good ones! I have never tried them myself, but now I will have to! Thanks for sharing!
ImmaculateBites says
30 Dec, 2014 at 10:13 amYou should Nagi. I know you love spicy food.
Alissa says
16 Mar, 2019 at 11:18 amWhat is the dipping sauce that you use?
Rosemary says
29 Dec, 2014 at 10:42 amYummy,the crisp just at the right tome 4 my House Warming.U are good
lauren says
29 Dec, 2014 at 10:07 amLooks delicious! Can you tell me how much water to use in the dough? I will be making these ASAP. Happy New Year!
ImmaculateBites says
29 Dec, 2014 at 10:34 amSilly me. Recipe updated. Let me know how it works for you. Happy New Year to you too!!!!
lauren says
29 Dec, 2014 at 10:37 amI figured it was a cup, but you can never be too careful with dough. 🙂