Ingredients

  • Chicken Cigars
  • 1 1/2 lbs ground chicken
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons grill seasoning (recommended Montreal Seasoning by McCormick)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves (a handful)
  • 8 sheets phyllo dough
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • Sweet and Sour Dipping Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sweet plum sauce or 2 tablespoons Chinese duck sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup light oil (such as peanut, canola, or vegetable oil)
  • kosher salt
  • fresh ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup finely diced mango (optional)
  • 1 scallion, green tops only, thinly sliced on the bias

Method

  • For the chicken cigars: Preheat oven to 425°F.
  • Place chicken in a bowl and mix with spices and parsley. (I actually used my food processor to shred/chop chicken and mix in the spices and it worked nicely--use it to chop the parsley first and then add other ingredients).
  • Place a piece of phyllo on a nonstick cookie sheet and brush with some of the melted butter. Repeat 3 more times, placing each of phyllo over the last buttered sheet to make 4 layers. Cut layered phyllo into 16 rectangles (4 x 4).
  • On one end of each of the rectangles, place a heaping tablespoon of chicken filling. Roll up tightly to make mini "cigars". Cut each of these in half and place on a cookie sheet. (They should overlap slightly on the bottom--they will stay together nicely if you press them gently after you place them on the cookie sheet). Butter the tops of each.
  • Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until golden brown.
  • Repeat with second half of phyllo sheets and chicken mixture.
  • Make the sweet and sour dipping sauce by whisking together plum or duck sauce and vinegar in a bowl. Stream in oil and continue whisking to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Fold in mango and sliced scallions.
  • Serve either hot or at room temperature with dipping sauce.