Description
These Smoked Chicken Pastry Puffs offer a delightful combination of flaky pastry, smoky chicken, and a sweet-tangy tamarind glaze. Perfect as an appetizer or light meal, they’re surprisingly easy to make and bursting with Southeast Asian-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 300g (10oz) Chicken Thighs: Seasoned with smoked paprika, cumin, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- 1 tbsp (15ml) Smoked Paprika: For a key smoky flavor.
- 1 tsp (5ml) Ground Cumin: Adds warmth and earthiness.
- 2 Garlic Cloves, Minced: Provides pungent aroma.
- 1 Sheet (≈300g / 10oz) Frozen Puff Pastry: Thawed, for flaky texture.
- 1 Egg, Beaten: For golden-brown egg wash.
- 2 tbsp (30ml) Tamarind Paste: Sweet and sour glaze base.
- 3 tbsp (45g / 1.5oz) Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and molasses flavor.
- 1 tbsp (15ml) Soy Sauce: Provides umami and saltiness.
- 1 tsp (5ml) Fresh Ginger, Grated: Adds spicy kick.
- ½ tsp (2ml) Chili Flakes: Introduces a touch of heat.
- 1 tbsp (15g / 0.5oz) Sesame Seeds, Toasted: Adds nutty flavor and crunch.
- 2 tbsp (8g / 0.3oz) Cilantro, Chopped (optional): For herbaceous freshness.
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Coat chicken thighs with spices, grill/bake until cooked, then shred.
- Make Glaze: Simmer tamarind paste, brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger, and chili flakes until thickened.
- Combine & Glaze Chicken: Toss shredded chicken with half the glaze, reserving the rest.
- Prepare Pastry: Roll out puff pastry and cut into squares.
- Assemble Puffs: Fill pastry squares with chicken, fold corners to seal.
- Bake Puffs: Brush with egg wash and bake until golden brown.
- Finish & Serve: Drizzle with remaining glaze, sprinkle with sesame seeds and cilantro.
Notes
For best results, use all-butter puff pastry and ensure the pastry remains cold during handling. Adjust chili flakes to your spice preference.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Southeast Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 puffs
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg