Indian Street-Style Chicken Momos with Secret Spicy Dipping Sauce Recipe

Introduction

Momos are no longer just a dish from the hilly regions; they have become a beloved street food across India, Bangladesh, and even worldwide. These soft flour dumplings are filled with chicken, vegetables, or mutton and are served with a spicy, tangy, and flavorful special sauce that takes their taste to the next level.

In this post, we will share the authentic Indian street-style momo recipe, including how to prepare the dough, the chicken filling, and the special red chili tomato sauce that makes the taste 10 times better. Follow step by step, and you’ll be able to recreate the exact street-style flavor at home.

Origin of Momos

The origin of momos dates back to Tibet and Nepal, where they were traditionally made with yak meat. With time, they traveled to India through the Himalayan regions like Sikkim, Darjeeling, and Arunachal Pradesh. Slowly, momos became popular in almost every corner of India, especially in Delhi, Kolkata, and the Northeast states.

Street vendors in India gave their own twist to this dish by experimenting with fillings such as chicken, paneer, vegetables, and even chocolate. But the one thing that makes Indian momos stand out is the spicy dipping sauce (chutney) that complements the dumplings so well.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Soft and smooth momo wrappers that melt in the mouth
• Juicy chicken filling with balanced spices
• A secret dipping sauce that makes the taste spicy, tangy, and unforgettable
• Easy to make at home with simple ingredients
• Perfect snack for parties, family gatherings, or evening cravings

Ingredients

For the Momo Dough

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons soybean oil
• 2 teaspoons milk powder
• 2 tablespoons cornflour
• ⅓ cup lukewarm water

For the Chicken Filling

• 1 cup minced chicken breast
• 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
• 2 dried red chilies
• 3 green chilies (finely chopped)
• ⅓ cup carrot cubes (boiled slightly)
• 1 small piece of ginger
• 2 tablespoons garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon soybean oil
• 2 tablespoons orange peel (finely grated)
• 1 teaspoon vinegar

For the Special Spicy Sauce

• 4 tomatoes
• 3 Kashmiri red chilies
• 4 dried red chilies
• 1-inch piece of ginger
• 2 tablespoons garlic
• 1 tablespoon cornflour
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons tomato ketchup
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Step 1 – Making the Dough

1. In a mixing bowl, add flour, salt, milk powder, and cornflour.
2. Add soybean oil and mix everything well.
3. Slowly add lukewarm water and knead into a smooth, soft dough.
4. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 20–25 minutes.

Step 2 – Preparing the Chicken Filling

1. Heat oil in a pan, add minced garlic and ginger, and sauté for a minute.
2. Add finely chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent.
3. Add minced chicken and stir-fry until it changes color.
4. Mix in carrot cubes, dried red chili paste, and green chilies, and keep stirring.
5. Add soy sauce, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, and salt.
6. Finally, add grated orange peel for a zesty twist. Cook for 2–3 more minutes.
7. Let the filling cool down before stuffing it into momos.

Step 3 – Shaping the Momos

1. Divide the dough into small lemon-sized balls.
2. Roll each ball into a thin round sheet (like a small chapati).
3. Place a spoonful of chicken filling in the center.
4. Fold and pleat the edges, sealing tightly to form dumplings.
5. Repeat with all dough and filling.

Step 4 – Steaming the Momos

1. Grease a steamer tray with oil to prevent sticking.
2. Arrange the momos with some space in between.
3. Steam for 10–12 minutes until the wrappers become shiny and translucent.
4. Do not over-steam, or they may turn hard.

Step 5 – Making the Special Dipping Sauce

1. Boil tomatoes, Kashmiri red chilies, and dried chilies until soft.
2. Blend them with ginger and garlic into a smooth paste.
3. Heat oil in a pan, add the paste, and cook for 2–3 minutes.
4. Add salt, sugar, black pepper, tomato ketchup, and vinegar.
5. Mix cornflour with a little water and add to the sauce to thicken.
6. Cook until you get a rich, glossy, spicy chutney.

Serving Ideas

• Serve hot steamed momos with the freshly prepared red chili tomato sauce.
• For variety, try pan-fried momos by shallow frying the steamed ones.
• You can also make tandoori momos by roasting them with a yogurt-based marinade.
• Pair with hot soup for a complete meal on winter evenings.

Uses of Momos

• Evening snack with tea
• Starter for parties and gatherings
• A great street-style dish for food stalls or home businesses
• Can be made in advance and frozen for quick meals

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I make vegetarian momos with this recipe?
Yes! Replace chicken with finely chopped cabbage, carrot, and paneer for a delicious vegetarian version.

Q2: Can I use wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, but the texture will be slightly denser. You can mix half wheat flour and half all-purpose flour for balance.

Q3: How can I store momos?
Uncooked momos can be frozen in a tray, then packed in zip-lock bags. Steam directly from frozen when needed.

Q4: How spicy is the special sauce?
The sauce is moderately spicy. Adjust chilies according to your preference.

Pro Tips for Perfect Momos

• Always rest the dough before rolling; it makes the wrappers softer.
• Don’t overfill the momos, or they may burst while steaming.
• Use Kashmiri chilies for natural red color without too much heat.
• Add orange peel to the chicken filling for a unique street-style flavor.
• Serve immediately after steaming for the best taste.

Conclusion

Indian street food-style momos are a very popular dish nowadays. The juicy chicken filling wrapped in soft dough, combined with the fiery red chili-tomato sauce, makes them irresistible. This recipe gives you the authentic taste of street-side momos, right at home.

So, next time you crave something spicy, tangy, and satisfying, try this recipe and surprise your family with homemade momos that taste just like the ones from your favorite street vendor. Bangla Recipe