Dinner

Southwestern Egg Rolls (Chili’s Copycat) Recipe

ByAiden Wells October 14, 2025October 14, 2025

Introduction

Southwestern Egg Rolls are a flavorful, crispy appetizer inspired by Chili’s popular dish. Packed with seasoned chicken, cheese, black beans, and vegetables, they pair perfectly with a creamy avocado ranch dipping sauce. These egg rolls are easy to make at home and sure to impress your friends and family.

The image shows a white rectangular plate filled with golden brown, crispy fried roll-ups arranged around a small round wooden bowl filled with a creamy light green sauce with specks of herbs. The roll-ups are cut in half diagonally, revealing colorful layers inside: bright yellow corn kernels, black beans, small red pepper pieces, and light beige chicken, all wrapped in a thin, crispy, bubbled brown outer shell. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

Enough canola or vegetable oil for frying
1 lb. packet egg roll wraps
Meat of 2 chicken legs and thighs, bones and skin removed, shredded and diced
¾ cup Jalapeño Jack cheese (preferably Cabot brand)
½ cup sweet corn, frozen
½ cup black beans, canned, drained and rinsed
¼ cup red onion, diced
¼ cup red bell pepper, diced
1 ½ teaspoons taco seasoning mix
Optional: 2 Tablespoons finely diced jalapeños or chopped green chiles for an extra kick
½ cup your favorite ranch dressing
½ Hass avocado, ripe
¼ cup fresh cilantro
Juice of ½ lime
Kosher salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine the diced chicken, Jalapeño Jack cheese, corn, black beans, red onion, red bell pepper, and taco seasoning. If you like it spicy, add the finely diced jalapeños or green chiles. Mix well and set aside.
Step 2: Place an egg roll wrap on a clean surface with one corner facing you. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the filling just below the center of the wrap. Fold the bottom corner over the filling and press lightly to seal.
Step 3: Fold one side of the wrap over the filling and press the corner to seal. Repeat with the other side. Moisten the top corner with a little water, then fold and roll the egg roll tightly until fully sealed. Place seam-side down on a plate. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling.
Step 4: Freeze the wrapped egg rolls for 15 minutes to help them set and prevent unraveling during frying.
Step 5: Pour enough oil into a frying pan to cover about two-thirds of an egg roll. Heat over medium-high heat. Fry the egg rolls in batches, avoiding overcrowding, until golden brown and crispy—about 5 minutes. Use tongs to carefully turn and remove them.
Step 6: Drain the fried egg rolls on a paper bag or paper towels to remove excess oil.
Step 7: For the avocado ranch dipping sauce, combine ranch dressing, ripe avocado, fresh cilantro, kosher salt, and black pepper in a food processor. Blend until smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a teaspoon of water at a time until you reach your desired consistency. Stir in lime juice last.
Step 8: Serve the hot egg rolls with the avocado ranch sauce and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For a vegetarian version, substitute the chicken with diced grilled vegetables or tofu.
Use a deeper fryer or large pot if you plan to fry many egg rolls for more even frying.
Try adding a small handful of chopped fresh cilantro into the filling for extra freshness.
If you prefer baking, brush egg rolls with oil and bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway.

Storage

Store any leftover egg rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them in a toaster oven or conventional oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes to retain crispness. The avocado ranch sauce is best consumed fresh but can be refrigerated in a sealed container for up to one day.

How to Serve

A white rectangular plate holds several golden-brown crispy egg rolls arranged around a small round wooden bowl filled with a thick, pale green creamy dip. The egg rolls show layers of thin, crispy outer shell with a mix of colorful fillings inside, including black beans, yellow corn, and bits of red and green vegetables. Some egg rolls are whole, while others are cut in half to display the filling. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, giving a clean and bright background to the dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these egg rolls ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare and wrap the egg rolls ahead of time and freeze them. Fry from frozen and add a few extra minutes to the cooking time for crispy results.

What can I use if I don’t have taco seasoning mix?

You can make a simple substitute by combining chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Adjust to taste and use about 1 ½ teaspoons in place of the pre-made mix.