Ingredients
Method
Making the Bao Dough
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, instant yeast, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add warm water and vegetable oil, stirring until the mixture forms a soft dough.
- Knead for about 5–7 minutes on a floured surface until the dough is smooth.
- Place your dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about an hour or until doubled in size.
Preparing the Chicken Filling
- In a medium bowl, mix diced chicken, soy sauce, gochujang, honey, sesame oil, minced garlic, and ginger.
- Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Cook the chicken in a skillet over medium-high heat until fully cooked, about 10-12 minutes.
Wrapping It All Together
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into equal pieces (about 12).
- Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten it into a disk.
- Place a spoonful of the chicken filling in the center. Bring the edges together, pinch to seal, and you’ve got yourself a bao!
- Place the bao on parchment paper squares and allow to rise for an additional 30 minutes.
Steaming the Bao
- Steam the baos in a steamer basket over boiling water for about 12-15 minutes.
- Remove the baos from the steamer and get ready to serve!
Serving
- Place your steamed bao on plates, top them with cucumber slices, pickled carrots, and sprinkle some green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
If your bao dough feels a bit too sticky, sprinkle a tiny bit of flour until it’s manageable. Topping options can include spicy kimchi or cilantro for a fresh twist.
