Chicken samosas – Easy Cheesecake Factory Copycat

Crispy on the outside, spicy and juicy inside — these Cheesecake Factory-style chicken samosas are a homemade takeout fix that’s way better fresh. The dough’s simple, the filling packs flavor, and they freeze like a dream if you’re into meal prep or just… leftovers. Good for late nights, parties, or when you need something crunchy and real.

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Quick Summary

• Prep time: 1 hour
• Cook time: 25 mins
• Flavor: crispy, spicy, slightly smoky
• Great for: meal prep, snacks, emotional resets

Why I Like This Recipe

I wasn’t planning to deep fry anything. Just had some ground chicken and extra time, I guess. Tossed it with spices, made dough on a whim, and yeah — it came together better than expected. No regrets. Only samosas.

Ingredients

For the chicken filling:

• 2 tbsp ghee or canola oil
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp garlic + ginger paste
• 3 green bird’s eye chillies, chopped
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1 tsp Kashmiri chili powder
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 2 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• 500g (1 ¼ lbs) ground chicken
• 3 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

For the samosa wrappers:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup melted ghee or oil
• 6 tbsp water (add more if needed)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cumin or ajwain seeds (optional)

How To Make Chicken samosas

1. Start the filling: Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds — they should sizzle. Add onion and cook till soft.
2. Build the flavor: Stir in garlic-ginger paste, chillies, and tomato. Add all your spices. Cook for 2–3 minutes until it smells strong and looks saucy.
3. Add chicken: Throw in the ground chicken and a bit of water. Break it up fully — no chunks. Simmer covered, then cook uncovered till dry and just browned. Stir in cilantro.
4. Cool it: Let the filling sit out to cool. Warm filling rips the wrappers. Not fun.
5. Make the dough: Mix flour, salt, cumin seeds, and melted ghee. Slowly add water. Knead till it’s stiff. Let it rest for 30 mins under a damp cloth.
6. Roll and fill: Cut dough into balls, roll into thin circles, cut in half. Make a cone with each half, stuff with filling, seal tight with water or a flour paste.
7. Fry them up: Heat oil on medium-low. Fry samosas slowly — low heat first (about 8 mins), then turn up for crisping (6–7 more). Drain on a rack or paper towels.

Tips for Success

• Let the dough rest — it makes it easier to roll
• Low and slow is the secret to that signature crispy shell
• Let filling cool before wrapping or it’ll tear the dough
• Add a dash of lemon juice before sealing if you want a zing
• Store-bought wrappers work too if you’re tired or rushed

Storage and Reheating

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Reheat (best): Oven or pan on low with a splash of oil to crisp them up again.
• Reheat (okay): Microwave with a damp paper towel on top. Soft, but still decent.
• Freeze: Wrap uncooked samosas in plastic, freeze flat. Fry straight from frozen — just cook a few mins longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use beef or lamb instead?
  Yep — just cook it down the same way. Might be a little fattier.
• Can I bake instead of fry?
  You can, but they won’t be as crisp. Brush with oil and bake at 375°F for 20–25 mins.
• What’s a good dipping sauce?
  Mint chutney, tamarind, or honestly — ketchup works if you’re in a pinch.
• Do I have to make the dough?
  Nope. Store-bought spring roll wrappers or empanada discs work.
• Too spicy — what now?
  Leave out the bird’s eye chilies or cut the chili powder in half.

Common Mistakes and How to Dodge Them

• Overfilling the samosas: It’s tempting, I get it. But too much filling = cracked samosas. Leave a little space.
• Oil too hot: High heat burns the outside fast and leaves the inside doughy. Start low.
• Dough too soft: You want a firm dough — not sticky. If it’s too soft, it won’t hold shape.
• Skipping the resting time: The dough needs to relax. Otherwise it’ll be hard to roll without tearing.
• Filling still hot: Let it cool fully before stuffing or the wrappers get soggy or tear.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 300 kcal
• Total Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 40mg
• Sodium: 480mg
• Potassium: 350mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 24g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 2g
• Protein: 16g

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