Chicken Bao Buns with Avocado and Carrot – Fluffy Steamed Buns

Chicken bao buns are a staple of modern Asian-inspired home cooking and street food culture, loved for their soft texture, delicate flavor, and endless filling possibilities. These steamed buns, originally rooted in Chinese cuisine and made famous in Taiwan, have grown into a globally recognized comfort food. Their fluffy white exterior and folded shape make them ideal for holding savory proteins, crunchy vegetables, and rich sauces without overpowering the balance of the dish. Chicken bao buns are often searched as a complete homemade recipe that explains both how to steam bao buns and how to prepare a flavorful filling from scratch. This recipe brings those two elements together, focusing on soft steamed buns paired with a fresh chicken and vegetable filling that is easy to recreate at home.

This recipe focuses on homemade chicken bao buns filled with marinated chicken, creamy avocado, crunchy carrot, and fresh spring onion. It combines traditional steaming techniques with approachable ingredients, making it suitable for both experienced cooks and beginners. By preparing the bao buns from scratch, you control texture, softness, and flavor while avoiding preservatives often found in store-bought versions.

Chicken is a lighter alternative to classic pork belly bao buns, offering a balanced protein option that pairs perfectly with hoisin sauce and soy sauce. The addition of yogurt in the marinade results in tender, juicy chicken, while fresh vegetables provide contrast and freshness. Whether you are searching for an authentic chicken bao bun recipe, learning how to steam buns at home, or looking for Asian main course inspiration, this guide walks you through every stage in a clear and practical way.

Table of contents

• Introduction to Chicken Bao Buns

• What Are Bao Buns?

• Ingredients for Chicken Bao Buns

• How to Make Bao Bun Dough from Scratch

• How to Marinate Chicken for Bao Buns

• How to Steam Bao Buns

• How to Prepare the Bao Bun Filling

• How to Assemble Chicken Bao Buns

• Serving Suggestions and Variations

• Storage and Reheating Tips

• Nutritional Information

• Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Bao Buns

Image: finalized assembly of the chicken-avocado-carrot bao bun!

What Are Bao Buns?

Also known as Chinese steamed buns or Taiwanese bao, these soft bread pockets are traditionally cooked using steam rather than baking. This process creates their signature fluffy texture and neutral taste, making them ideal for both savory and sweet fillings. Bao buns, also known as steamed buns, originate from China and became especially popular in Taiwan. They are traditionally made with flour, yeast, and liquid, then steamed until soft and pillowy. The buns are folded before steaming to create a pocket that can be filled with meats, vegetables, and sauces. Classic fillings include pork belly, duck, shrimp, or tofu, but chicken bao buns are a lighter and equally flavorful alternative that works well with fresh toppings like avocado, carrot, and spring onion.

Ingredients for Chicken Bao Buns

This recipe makes approximately 10 bao buns, suitable for 3 people. These are the ingredients to make chicken‑avocado‑carrot bao buns yourself. You can easily adapt these ingredients to create vegetarian, vegan, or alternative protein versions.

For the buns

• 160 ml (2/3 cup) full milk

• 220 gram (1 ¾ cups) self-raising flour

• pinch of salt

• 1 tablespoon oil

For a vegan bun option, replace the milk with water. You can also use all-purpose flour combined with 7 grams of baking powder instead of self-raising flour.

For the filling

• 200 gram (7 oz) chicken, preferably chicken thigh fillet

• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon oil

• 3 cloves of garlic

• 2 pieces of spring onion

• 2 carrots

• 2 avocados

• 1 tablesoon full yoghurt

• Sriracha sause (spicy sauce)

• Optional: roasted sesame seeds and fresh coriander

Fresh coriander adds brightness and aroma to chicken bao buns, especially when used as a finishing garnish. If you enjoy cooking with fresh herbs, learning how to grow coriander at home is a great way to elevate the flavor of Asian‑inspired recipes while always having it on hand.

Image: prepared garlic, Avocado, carrot and spring onion.

How to Make Bao Bun Dough from Scratch

• In this recipe, we’ll make the bao buns from scratch. Combine milk (160 ml or 2/3 cup) self-raising flour (220 gram or 1 ¾ cups) and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Stir with a fork until the dough comes together, then knead by hand. If the dough is too sticky, add a little all-purpose flour.

• After kneading for a few minutes, roll the dough into a long cylinder of even thickness and cut it into 10 equal pieces.

• Cut 10 strips of aluminum foil, about 8 × 16 cm (3 × 6 inches). Roll each strip loosely from the long side so it forms a divider. These will be placed inside the buns while steaming to help them keep their folded shape without sticking together.

• Roll each piece of dough into an oval, about 7 × 14 cm (2.5 × 5.5 inches). Place a foil strip halfway across the dough and fold it over. Repeat for all buns.

• Arrange the buns on baking paper or a silicone mat in a steam oven (or steam basket).

Image: roll of dough cut in 10 'even' pieces.

How to Marinate Chicken for Bao Buns

• Cut the chicken (200gr / 7 oz) into thin strips, about 0.5 cm (0.2 inch) thick.

• Slice the white part of the spring onions into small pieces and add them to the chicken. Set aside the green parts for later.

• Add yogurt, hoisin sauce, and soy sauce to the chicken. Mix well, then cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (longer if possible for more flavor).

Image: on the right you can see how the aluminum foil is rolled. Placing the rounded side of the foil inside the dough helps the bao keep its shape and prevents it from tearing when filling or eating the bao bun. Fold the flattened dough over the rounded side of the foil.

How to Steam Bao Buns

• Place the buns in a steam oven or steam basket and steam for 15 minutes at 100 °C (212 °F).

Steaming time is essential for achieving soft bao buns. Cooking them at a steady temperature ensures they remain fluffy without becoming dense or sticky.

Image: fluffy buns right after steaming to make chicken-avocado-carrot bao buns.

How to Prepare the Bao Bun Filling

• Fry the marinated chicken in a pan until fully cooked.

• Add the pressed or finely chopped garlic about 2 minutes before the chicken is done to enhance the flavor.

• Cut the carrot into thin julienne strips.

• Slice the avocado and the green part of the spring onion into pieces about 3 mm (0.1 inch) thick.

How to Assemble Chicken Bao Buns

Carefully remove the aluminum foil from the steamed buns.

• Fill each bun with 2–3 slices of avocado, some carrot, and a portion of chicken.

• Garnish with fresh spring onion, roasted sesame seeds, a drizzle of sriracha, and fresh coriander leaves.

Enjoy your home made chicken bao bun!

Serving Suggestions and Variations

Chicken bao buns are best served immediately while still warm. They work well as a main course, shared dish, or as part of a larger Asian‑style meal. You can easily vary the filling by swapping chicken for tofu, mushrooms, or shrimp, or by adding pickled vegetables for extra contrast.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Is is very unlikely that you have any leftovers from this delicious Bao Bun recipe. In case you do, store leftover buns and fillings separately in airtight containers. Steamed buns can be reheated in a steamer for a few minutes until soft again. Avoid microwaving, as this can dry out the dough.

Shout-out to leukerecepten.nl for the inspiration. The original Chinese recipe of bao bun is with pork belly instead of chicken. Next to that, they use water instead of milk for the buns. If you make them with full milk, they will be softer and we think more enjoyable to eat. Lastly the original recipes do not use yoghurt to marinate the chicken. This will smoothen the chicken and enhances the sauce flavors.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	706 kcal
Total Fat	34.5 g
Saturated Fat	6.2 g
Sodium	1,340 mg
Salt	3.35 g
Total Carbohydrates	76.4 g
Fiber	8.1 g
Sugars	11.2 g
Protein	24.8 g

Hope you enjoy the bao bun. Let us know in the comments what you think and which alternative bao bun filling is your favorite!

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Bao Buns

What are chicken bao buns?

Chicken bao buns are soft steamed buns filled with seasoned chicken and fresh ingredients like vegetables and sauces. They are popular in Asian cuisine.

Can I make bao buns without a steam oven?

Yes, you can use a traditional steamer basket placed over a pot of boiling water as long as steam circulates evenly.

Can I prepare bao buns in advance?

Bao buns can be steamed ahead of time and reheated gently. The filling is best prepared fresh for optimal texture.

Are chicken bao buns healthy?

Chicken bao buns provide a balance of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables, but portion size and sauces affect total calories.

What can I use instead of chicken in bao buns?

Tofu, mushrooms, jackfruit, shrimp, or pork belly are popular alternatives depending on dietary preference.