Looking for a delicious snack? Don’t look too far! Chicken samosa is the perfect, delicious snack you need to try out. They are bite-sized and tasty, perfect for any small gathering or family get-together.
West African Inspired Chicken Samosas
I hope you’re as excited as I am today because we’re about to explore a mouthwatering Nigerian snack that’s absolutely perfect for any occasion – Nigerian-style Chicken Samosa! This chicken samosa is a delicious twist on the popular Indian snack.
If you’re a fan of Indian or Pakistani cuisine, then you’ve probably tried samosas before. These savory snacks are a popular street food and appetizer and for good reason. They’re delicious!
Now, if you’re unfamiliar with the concept of samosas, they’re essentially fried or baked pastries filled with a variety of delicious ingredients, including spiced vegetables, lentils, or meat. This particular Nigerian variation puts a unique spin on the traditional Asia samosa by incorporating the bold and tantalizing flavors of West Africa.
Of course, this is just one of the many delicious recipes when it comes to West African food. If you’re interested in learning more about other types of food from this region, we recommend checking out our article on Nigerian Jollof Rice.
Flavor Profiles
So, what sets Nigerian-style Chicken Samosa apart? It’s all about the blend of spices and flavors that make up the filling. In this version, you can expect a fantastic mix of ground chicken, fresh vegetables, and a symphony of spices like thyme, curry, and the famous Scotch bonnet pepper (which adds a nice kick without being overpowering).
Don’t worry; the ingredients needed to make this delicious snack are ones that you can find in your pantry or in your nearby grocery store. With your ingredients prepped and ready, you can have this ready in 20 minutes.
What are samosas
Chicken samosa is a small, deep-fried South Asian pastry made with a mixture of minced chicken, onions, ginger, garlic, and aromatic spices. This bite-sized treat is delicious, flavorful, and crispy, perfect for any occasion.
This tasty appetizer originates from South Asia and is often enjoyed with chutney or other types of sauces. However, the popularity of this dish has spread throughout the world as an appetizer or snack food at parties or gatherings.
Looking for other pastries to try out? Check out our tasty African Fish Pastry recipe, learn how to make Churros, Puff Puff, Traditional Scotch Eggs, and Easy Wheat Meat Pie
How to make Easy Chicken Samosa
- Make the dough by combining flour, salt, and oil, then gradually add water and knead until smooth. Let it rest for 30 minutes.
- Prepare the filling by cooking onions, garlic, and ground chicken in a skillet, then add potatoes, peas, and spices. Cook until potatoes are tender.
- Assemble the samosas by dividing the dough, creating cones, and filling them with the chicken mixture. Seal the edges.
- Deep fry the samosas in hot oil until golden brown or bake them at 375°F for 20-25 minutes.
- Serve with your choice of dipping sauce.
For the filling:
- Boneless Chicken – this is an essential ingredient in making Chicken samosas.
- Onion, Garlic, Ginger, Paprika, Curry powder, and Black pepper – the aromatic spices needed for the filling. They add more flavor and depth.
- Oil – to sauté the ingredients
- Salt to taste
- Cayenne pepper or green chilies to taste
- Parsley or Coriander to garnish
Why is my samosa not crispy?
Frying on high heat, not incorporating enough oil into the dough, adding too much water to the dough, using a low-quality brand of pastry shells, and using a filling that is too moist are some of the reasons why your samosa might not be crispy.
To avoid soggy samosa, we recommend that you fry the samosas on low to medium heat, add adequate amounts of oil to the dough for flakiness, use the right amount of water in the dough, choose high-quality pastry shells, and avoid overfilling or using overly moist fillings.
Can I make chicken samosa ahead?
Yes, you can make chicken samosa ahead of time. You can make them ahead to have something to snack at a later time or for your upcoming gathering.
To maintain their crispy texture, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. Reheating them in the oven or air fryer will restore their crispy texture. Alternatively, you can prepare the dough, filling, and chutney ahead of time and assemble the samosas later when you are ready to serve them.
What can I eat chicken samosa with?
Chicken samosas can be served with a variety of dipping sauces and chutneys to complement their savory flavor. Mango chutney, Tamarind sauce, cucumber raita among others are some popular sauces to eat with.
These dips can be sweet, spicy, or tangy, adding more flavors to the dish and enhancing its taste. Additionally, chicken samosas also taste great on their own and can be enjoyed as a snack or appetizer any time of the day.
Storage and Reheating Tips
How do I store my Chicken samosa?
To store chicken samosas, it is best to place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator or freezer. If they are already cooked and you plan to eat them within a few days, store them in the refrigerator. Otherwise, store them in the freezer for future use.
How to reheat Chicken samosa?
To reheat frozen samosas, it is best to take them out of the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator. Once they have thawed, you can reheat them in the oven or air fryer to restore their crispy texture. If they are not frozen, you can skip the thawing process and just go ahead to reheat in your air fryer or oven.
Tips to note while making Chicken samosa
- Make sure to seal the edges of the samosas well to prevent them from opening up while frying.
- Do not overcrowd the frying pan as this will lower the oil temperature and make the samosas greasy.
- You can also bake the samosas in the oven at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
- Use a filling that is not too moist to maintain the crispiness of the samosas.
- Store your chicken samosa in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer to maintain its freshness.
- You can reheat chicken samosa in the oven or air fryer to restore its crispiness.
Trust me, once you’ve tried Nigerian-style Chicken Samosa, you’ll be hooked. They’re the perfect appetizer for a dinner party or a scrumptious snack to enjoy while binge-watching your favorite series. Plus, they’re great for meal prep – just make a big batch and freeze them for a quick and tasty treat anytime you need a pick-me-up.
So, go on and give Nigerian-style Chicken Samosa a try! I guarantee you’ll fall in love with the vibrant flavors and satisfying crunch of these irresistible pastries. And don’t forget to share your samosa adventures with us. We’d love to hear all about your culinary journey!
Happy munching, fellow foodies!
Chicken Samosa
Ingredients
For the dough;
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons oil
- 6-8 tablespoons water or as needed
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Filling
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic inced
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 2 medium potatoes peeled and diced
- ½ cup green peas
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon curry powder
- salt to taste or add to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper or add to taste
- 1 scotch bonnet minced or any chilies to taste
- Parsley or coriander
- oil enough for deep frying
Instructions
Making the dough:
- Combine the flour, salt, and oil in a large bowl, and use your fingers to rub the oil into the flour until you get a crumbly texture.
- Add in the water, about a tablespoon at a time, and mix until a smooth and firm dough is formed. Then knead for about 7 to 10 minutes or till it's smooth and elastic. Cover it up with plastic wrap and allow it to rest for about 30 minutes.
Making the filling:
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until the onion is translucent,, about 3 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds
- Add the ground chicken and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until it is browned. Add the diced potatoes, green peas, grated ginger, paprika, thyme, curry powder, salt, black pepper, and scotch bonnet. Stir and leave to cook until the potatoes are tender and the meat is cooked through, about 10 minutes. ( Add some water if needed)
- Remove the skillet from the heat and let the chicken cool.
Assembling the samosas:
- Divide the dough into 8 equal portions then roll each portion into a ball and flatten it into a disc.
- Cut each disc in half to make two semi-circles. Take one semi-circle and fold it into a cone shape, sealing the edges with water.
- Fill the cone with 1-2 tablespoons of the filling. Seal the open end of the cone by applying water to the edges and pressing them together.
- Repeat the process with the remaining dough and filling.
Deep frying the samosas:
- Heat enough oil in a deep frying pan on medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is hot, (about 350F) add a few samosas at a time and fry until golden brown on both sides.
- Remove the samosas from the oil and drain on paper towels.
- Serve with African hot sauce or any other dipping sauce of your choice.
Bake the samosas
- Preheat the oven to 375°F
- Place the samosas on a greased baking sheet bake them in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy flipping them halfway through.
Nutrition
Here is a list of what samosas are also known as depending on the region/locality – it’s a lot but I’ll just list a few (the common ones) – samoosa, Somsa, Sambosak, Somaas, Sambosa, Sambusa.
ChefPee
Tuesday 27th of June 2023
Interesting
Leeyah
Thursday 1st of June 2023
Nice recipe,I'd love to try it Please can I get the recipe to make the dipping sauce
Chef Lola's Kitchen
Friday 9th of June 2023
Definitely, Leeyah. I have dipping sauce on the website. Check Honey Mustard Recipe, Fry Sauce – Sweet, tangy, and Creamy, Lemon Pepper Sauce and more.
Nancy
Thursday 20th of April 2023
I just love your recipes and cooking tips!
Chef Lola's Kitchen
Saturday 29th of April 2023
Thank you, Nancy.👍
Chinenye
Thursday 20th of April 2023
Good morning ma, thank you for sending the recipes to me.
Chef Lola's Kitchen
Saturday 29th of April 2023
You are welcome, Chinenye🤗🤗
Miska Knezevic
Wednesday 19th of April 2023
I hope I,ll make them you are! Thanks for the recipes!
Chef Lola's Kitchen
Saturday 29th of April 2023
You are welcome, Miska