Easy Viral Dumpling Lasagna made with ground chicken, napa cabbage, garlic, ginger, and wonton wrappers is a baked dish that brings classic dumpling flavors into a simple, family-style meal. The layers steam as they cook, creating a soft, tender texture similar to traditional dumplings. I love finishing it with sesame oil, chili crisp, and green onions - it’s a practical, satisfying dinner and a major hit!
Want to see this as part of a complete meal?
Watch me make this on my YouTube channel. Check out One Pan Chicken Bake That Tastes like Dumplings!
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💡Recipe Overview
- Prep and Cook Time: 20 minutes to prep and 30-40 minutes to bake
- Cooking Method: Oven-baked
- Tools Needed: baking pan or braiser with self-basting lid
- Skill Level: Easy
What is an ancestral diet? Read my post on what nourishing foods are based on the traditional dietary principles of the Weston A. Price Foundation.
Get all the dumpling flavors with less work!
We love Asian-inspired flavors around these parts, including dumplings. But I’ll be honest - I don’t always have the patience to sit down and fold dumplings.
This recipe is an excellent solution to that. It gives you all those familiar garlic, ginger, and soy flavors, but in a format that’s much easier to pull together.
No shaping, no sealing, no batches at the stove. Just layering and baking and served up family-style, which is more my vibe these days.
That’s exactly why this dish keeps showing up on our table. It's so simple yet interesting enough that it never feels routine.
I usually serve this with the napa cabbage kimchi salad made from the remaining half of the cabbage - since we use one half of the head in the filling (because, nothing goes to waste here). It’s also one of those meals that reheats surprisingly well so lunches the next day are that much easier.
Ingredients for Deconstructed Dumpling Bake
- Ground chicken- This is the base of the filling but you can substitute with ground pork or a mix of chicken and pork for a richer flavor. Dumplings are traditionally made with pork but chicken is a leaner alternative, especially if you don't have access to heritage breed pork.
- Vegetables - Grated carrots, napa cabbage, and green onion whites provide moisture, balance, and texture. Just use the white portions of the green onions for the filling because they hold up well to heat.
- Aromatics - Garlic and ground ginger are essential here - they add lots of familiar dumpling flavor.
- Seasonings - Soy sauce, rice vinegar, mirin, salt, and black pepper bring balance and flavor. Use Tamari for wheat-free soy sauce or coconut aminos for a completely grain free soy sauce alternative.
- Chicken broth - A little bit of broth to create steam during cooking. Check out my easy Instant Pot bone broth chicken or my simple chicken stock with whole chicken.
- Wonton wrappers or dumpling wrappers - These form the structure of the lasagna - think of these as the lasagna sheets. They soften into a tender, noodle-like texture during baking. Wonton wrappers will typically be found in the refrigerated section near tofu or fresh pasta.
Helpful Tips
- Bake covered for best texture - A moist cooking environment is key. Keeping the pan tightly covered allows steam to soften the wonton wrappers, giving them a tender, dumpling-like texture rather than crispy edges.
- Use water bath if needed - If baking in a standard casserole dish without a lid, placing it inside a larger pan with hot water helps create a more humid environment and promotes even cooking.
- Overlap wrappers - Inner layers don’t require perfect overlap, but the final top layer should fully cover the filling. This prevents dry spots and keeps the texture consistent.
- Mix gently - Avoid overmixing the meat. Stir just until combined to keep the filling tender rather than dense.
- Cut vegetables finely - Finely grated carrots and shredded cabbage blend smoothly into the filling and provide moisture.
Product Highlight!
Staub Saute Pan with Chistera Lid
I love this saute pan. It has a self-basting lid that helps maintain the moist environment this dish needs, keeping the wrappers soft and the filling tender.
💭Meal Prep Suggestion!
This dumpling lasagna is very meal prep-friendly. You can fully assemble it ahead of time and keep it covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake. It also works well in smaller baking dishes, which makes it easy to portion and freeze for future meals. If freezing uncooked, adding broth isn’t strictly necessary since the vegetables will naturally release moisture as they cook. You can always add a small splash when reheating if needed.
Serving Suggestions
Dumpling lasagna is best served warm, straight from the pan, much like a traditional casserole or baked pasta dish. Because the wrappers soften into tender layers, it slices and spoons easily, making it well-suited for both family dinners and casual gatherings.
I love this dish because it fits naturally into family-style meals. Place the pan directly on the table, add a few toppings like green onions, chili crisp, or sesame oil, and let everyone serve themselves.
For a balanced meal, pair it with something fresh and crisp. A simple napa cabbage salad, spicy Asian cucumber salad, or a Korean carrot salad works especially well.
Make sure you add a small serving of spicy sauerkraut, fermented carrots, or kimchi to complement the rich flavors.
More Viral Dumpling Bake pairing suggestions:
- Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe20 Minutes
- How to Make Lacto-Fermented Jalapeño Peppers20 Minutes
- Korean Carrot Salad (Morkovcha Recipe)1 Hours 30 Minutes
- How to Make Kimchi (Easy Fermented Kimchi Recipe)192 Hours 45 Minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container for up to 4 days. These glass snap containers are perfect for leftovers. To reheat, transfer the lasagna to a small saucepan, add a splash of chicken broth, and warm gently over medium-low heat. Cover and allow it to steam until heated through.
Yes! To freeze, transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat covered for best texture.
Not necessarily. The vegetables will release moisture as the dish cooks. You can add a small amount of broth when baking or reheating if needed.
Did you make this Viral Dumpling Bake? Please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ recipe rating in the recipe card below and leave a review in the comments. Thank you!💚
Printable Recipe
Viral Dumpling Lasagna
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground chicken
- 2 carrots finely grated
- ½ head napa cabbage chopped finely
- ½ bunch green onions whites and greens divided
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 ounces wonton wrappers
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine 2 lbs ground chicken, 2 carrots, ½ head napa cabbage, ½ bunch green onions, 2 garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, ¼ cup soy sauce, 2 teaspoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon mirin, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper Mix gently until everything is evenly combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Spread a thin, even layer of the chicken meat mixture on the bottom of the dish.
- Arrange a single layer of 8 ounces wonton wrappers over the meat, overlapping slightly if needed.
- Repeat with another layer of chicken mixture, followed by another layer of wrappers.
- Continue layering until all the filling is used, finishing with a layer of wonton wrappers on top. I had 3 layers of each the meat and wonton wrappers for 2 pounds of meat.
- Slowly pour 1 ½ cups chicken broth around the edges of the casserole and a little directly on the top, allowing it to flow down the sides. This helps steam the layers, cooking througout.
- If using a pan with a tight-fitting lid, cover and bake directly. A lid with self-basting spikes works especially well here, helping retain moisture throughout cooking. If your pan does not have a lid, cover tightly with parchment paper followed by foil to trap the steam.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and the wonton wrappers are soft and tender.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with the greens of the green onions and chili crisp.
Notes
- Bake covered for best texture - A moist cooking environment is key. Keeping the pan tightly covered allows steam to soften the wonton wrappers, giving them a tender, dumpling-like texture rather than crispy edges.
- Use water bath if needed - If baking in a standard casserole dish without a lid, placing it inside a larger pan with hot water helps create a more humid environment and promotes even cooking.
- Overlap wrappers - Inner layers don’t require perfect overlap, but the final top layer should fully cover the filling. This prevents dry spots and keeps the texture consistent.
- Mix gently - Avoid overmixing the meat. Stir just until combined to keep the filling tender rather than dense.
- Cut vegetables finely - Finely grated carrots and shredded cabbage blend smoothly into the filling and provide moisture.
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