Fail-Proof Fluffy & Juicy Handmade Chicken Bao

Fresh FLUFFY Chicken Bao is the best thing you can ever have!

Chicken Bao is fluffy and soft on the outside, while the filling is juicy and savory. Freshly steamed Chicken Bao is easy to make at home, PLUS you can make them in bulk, freeze, and have them for the perfect breakfast!

This recipe is my mom’s authentic and delicious Chicken Bao recipe that will BLOW YOUR MIND! 

This Steamed Chicken Bao Recipe Is Fail-Proof!

Steamed Chicken Bao may seem intimidating to make, but here is a fail-proof recipe that we tested out multiple times to ensure you can make them at home as well!

Don’t worry about wrapping and pleating the bao perfectly; as long as it is tightly pinched at the top and the filling doesn’t fall out, the bao will turn out perfect!

I also took step-by-step photos to ensure you can follow along easily. 

Hand Chop Chicken For Best Chicken Bun Fillings

I am using hand-chopped chicken thighs today to make these Chicken Baos. Hand-chopped chicken makes a world of difference. I know it takes an extra 7-8 minutes to make, but TRUST ME, it is worth it!

Compared to store-bought ground chicken, the chicken doesn’t get mushy and is chewy and extra juicy. You also have complete control of the fat and meat ratio.

I love using skinless chicken thighs, but you can also use chicken breast if you prefer a healthier version.

Chicken Bao: Easy To Freeze In Bulk

You can make these Chicken Baos in bulk and have them for breakfast or brunch throughout the week. After you steam the chicken baos, let them rest to cool down before storing them in plastic bags and freezing them in the freezer.

The baos can last in the fridge for up to one month. 

When you are ready to eat, steam the chicken bun for 15 minutes straight from the freezer.

Do you like dumplings, pancake, and baos? Here are some of my faovrite recipes that are fail-proof and easy to make at home! 

• The BEST Pork and Chives Dumplings
• Crispy Pan-Fried Pork Buns – Sheng Jian Bao
• BIG Green Onion Pancake (5 Ingredients ONLY!)
• Whole Shrimp Potsticker with fluffy Egg Skirt (VIRAL!)

Chicken Bao Ingredients 

• 2 cups of Flour 
• 130 cc Water 
• 1 tsp of Yeast 
• 100 cc Warm Water 
• 1 tsp of Salt 
• 1 tsp of Sugar 
• 300g of Chicken Thigh or ground chicken 
• 4 stalks of Green Onion 
• 1.5 tbsp of grated Ginger 
• 2 tbsp of Oyster Sauce 
• 1.5 tbsp of Soy Sauce 
• 2 tbsp of Sesame Oil
• 1.5 tsp of White Pepper 

1. Prepare the yeast mixture by missing yeast and warm water. 
2. In a bowl, add flour, salt, water, and yeast mixture. Mix with a chopstick till flakey, and knead until it forms into a ball. Let it rise before moving to the next step. 
3. Let it rest by covering with a damp cloth for 1 hour or until the size has doubled. When you lift the dough from the bottom and theres “webs” the dough is ready. 

4. Marinate the chicken with oyster sauce, soy sauce, grated ginger, sesame oil, and white pepper. Mix and then fold in the chopped green onion. 
5. Knead out all the air bubbles from the dough, cut into 10 pieces. Measure by weight for total accuracy.

6. Roll and knead the individual pieces into a smooth ball. Rest for 10 minutes. 

7. Using a rolling pin, roll out the edges; you want the middle part to be thicker than the outer layer. *refer to photo and video for reference* 

8. Put 2.5 tbsp of filling in the middle, fold the dough in half. Pinch each side to the center with pleats. 

9. Twist the center tightly, close, and let it rest in the steamer for 25 minutes. 
10.  Steam the baos for 15 minutes, turn off the heat, and let it rest for 5 minutes, DO NOT OPEN *important step*; this step will prevent the bao from shrinking. 
11. FREEZING INSTRUCTIONS: once the bao has cool down, freeze in a plastic bag for up to 1 month; when ready to enjoy, steam straight from the freezer for 15 minutes. 

Chicken Bao

By Tiffy Cooks

5 from 2 votes

Fresh FLUFFY Chicken Bao is the best thing you can ever have! Chicken Bao is fluffy and soft on the outside, while the filling is juicy and savory. Freshly steamed Chicken Bao is easy to make at home, PLUS you can make them in bulk, freeze, and have them for the perfect breakfast! This recipe is my mom’s authentic and delicious Chicken Bao recipe that will BLOW YOUR MIND!

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Prep Time:20 minutes mins

Cook Time:30 minutes mins

Resting Time:1 hour hr

Total Time:1 hour hr 50 minutes mins

Course: Appetizer, Breakfast, Main Course, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: Asian, Chinese, Taiwanese

Keyword: Asian Food, Asian Recipes, bao, buns, chicken, Chinese Food, Easy, Easy Recipes, Taiwanese Food, Taiwanese Recipes

Servings: 10 Chicken Baos

Calories: 161kcal

Equipment

• steamer

Ingredients

• 2 cups Flour
• 130 ml Water
• 1 tsp Yeast
• 100 ml Warm Water
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Sugar
• 300 g Chicken Thigh or ground chicken
• 4 Green Onion
• 1.5 tbsp grated Ginger
• 2 tbsp Oyster Sauce
• 1.5 tbsp Soy Sauce
• 2 tbsp Sesame Oil
• 1.5 tsp White Pepper

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• Prepare the yeast mixture by missing yeast and warm water.
• In a bowl, add flour, salt, sugar, water, and yeast mixture. Mix with a chopstick till flakey, and knead until it forms into a ball. Let it rise before moving to the next step.
• Let it rest by covering with a damp cloth for 1 hour or until the size has doubled. When you lift the dough from the bottom and theres “webs” the dough is ready.
• Marinate the chicken with oyster sauce, soy sauce, grated ginger, sesame oil, and white pepper. Mix and then fold in the chopped green onion.
• Knead out all the air bubbles from the dough, cut into 10 pieces. Measure by weight for total accuracy.
• Roll and knead the individual pieces into a smooth ball. Rest for 10 minutes.
• Using a rolling pin, roll out the edges; you want the middle part to be thicker than the outer layer. *refer to photo and video for reference*
• Put 2.5 tbsp of filling in the middle, fold the dough in half. Pinch each side to the center with pleats.
• Twist the center tightly, close, and let it rest in the steamer for 25 minutes.
• Steam the baos for 15 minutes, turn off the heat, and let it rest for 5 minutes, DO NOT OPEN *important step*; this step will prevent the bao from shrinking.
• FREEZING INSTRUCTIONS: once the bao has cool down, freeze in a plastic bag for up to 1 month; when ready to enjoy, steam straight from the freezer for 15 minutes.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 161kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 9gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 511mgPotassium: 129mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 55IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 2mg