Irish Spice Bag
Overflowing Spice Bag, a combination of chips (fries), crispy chicken, onion, bell peppers, chilli peppers and a unique spice mixture. Served with Irish-style curry sauce.
🇫🇮 Tervehdys! Resepti on saatavilla suomeksi täällä.
Get ready to spice up your dinner routine with the Irish Spice Bag, a game-changing fusion of crispy chicken, crunchy chips and an aromatic blend of spices that’s store to become your new guilty pleasure. This indulgent dish originates in Ireland’s Asian-Irish eateries and has since taken the world by storm — and with my recipe now it’s easy to make at home!
The Spice Bag journey
I think the most intriguing fast food or takeaway I’ve come across in Ireland must be the infamous Spice Bag — most often a combination of chips (fries), crispy chicken, onions, bell pepper, chilli pepper, and a unique mixture of spices. It’s a spicy treat, and a personal favourite of mine and countless others in Ireland. And where’d you order this dish from? The chipper, the kebab shop, or perhaps the local pub? Not any of these, actually. This dish is from the Chinese (restaurants).
There’s a lot of debate about what’s the proper way to enjoy your Irish-Chinese Spice Bag. Some people like it au naturel, while others enjoy theirs enrobed in a curry or sweet chilli sauce, and some like to add a portion of fried rice, another staple of Chinese takeaway. There are countless YouTube and TikTok influencers ranking the different options. I guess that’s the beauty of this dish; you can easily make it your own, and there are as many versions as there are Chinese restaurants in Ireland.
Ingredients
Chips: The base of this dish, providing a satisfying crunch and helping to soak up the bold flavours.
Crispy chicken: Adding texture and protein to the spice bag, the crispy exterior gives way to juicy meat.
Spice Bag Spice Mix: A custom blend of spices that adds depth and warmth to the dish, made with a combination of aromatic spices like Chinese five spice, coriander, and chilli powder. I’ve an easy recipe for the Spice Bag Spice Mix here.
Red and yellow bell peppers: Sweet and slightly smoky, these add a pop of colour and freshness to balance out the richness of the chicken and chips.
Chili (optional): For those who like a little heat, adding sliced chili brings an extra layer of flavour and spice.
Please check the full list of ingredients and amounts in the recipe card below.
How to make the Irish Spice Bag
In Ireland, nowadays, you can purchase the spice mixture from pretty much any supermarket or corner store. Along with this, some stores also offer pre-made, oven-ready, frozen bags of this delight. Isn’t that convenient! But can you make this at home without any of these? Absolutely! I’ve prepared a super easy-to-follow recipe for you.
First, the spice, the heart of this dish. You can make the spice mixture beforehand and store it like any other spice — in a cool, dry place. You can check my recipe for a homemade version of the spice mixture here. It took quite a few iterations, but I think I’ve nailed it. I have to say, as a Spice Bag enthusiast, I genuinely prefer this one over any other spice mixture I’ve tried. I know, I know, I’m selling my own recipe here — you’ll just have to try it and see for yourself.
For the rest of the recipe, you need chips (fries), crispy chicken, onions, bell pepper, and chilli peppers. Chips and chicken are best prepared in an air fryer or oven, and the vegetables get stir-fried in a wok or skillet for a few minutes. All that is left is to combine all of these with the spice mixture, and voila, you have a Spice Bag. Serve as is in a bag — or a plate, who cares! Add your favourite sauces, if you wish.
If you’ve had a spice bag before, let me know what’s your favourite way of serving it. Or if you tried it for the first time, let me know what you thought about it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's in an Irish Spice Bag?
An Irish Spice Bag is a popular street food dish that consists of crispy fried chicken and chips (fries), tossed together with spices, vegetables, and sometimes served with a side of curry sauce.
Can I make an Irish Spice Bag without the Spice Bag Spice Mix?
The spice mixture is essential to the dish - it's easy to make using my own Spice Bag Spice Mix recipe! With this homemade spice blend, you can create a delicious and authentic-tasting Irish Spice Bag that rivals the original mix.
How long does it take to make an Irish Spice Bag?
This recipe is relatively quick and easy to prepare, taking approximately 20-25 minutes from start to finish. Most of this time is spent cooking the chips and chicken in the air fryer or oven, while the vegetables are quickly sautéed at the end.
Can I use leftover chicken or chips in an Irish Spice Bag?
While it's tempting to use leftovers, we recommend using fresh ingredients for the best flavour and texture. If you're short on time, you can cook the chips and chicken in advance and store them in the fridge until ready to assemble the Spice Bag.
Is an Irish Spice Bag spicy?
The level of heat in an Irish Spice Bag can vary depending on individual preferences and the type of chili used. If you're not a fan of spice, you can omit the chili or use a milder variety. If you like it hot, add as much or as little chili as you prefer! You can also control the spice level by adjusting the amount of the spice mixture.
Irish Spice Bag
Recreate the iconic Irish-Chinese Spice Bag at home! Chips (fries) and crispy chicken are tossed with sautéed onions, bell peppers, and chilli pepper for heat, then seasoned with a flavourful spice bag spice mix. Perfect on its own or paired with your favorite curry sauce for an irresistible takeaway-inspired dish.
Ingredients
- 2portions of chips
- 2portions of crispy chicken
- ½medium onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cupred and yellow bell peppers, sliced
- 1chili, de-seeded and thinly sliced (optional, for heat)
- 2 tspSpice Bag Spice Mix
Instructions
You can complete a step by clicking on it
- 1Prepare your chips and chicken in the air fryer or in the oven, based on the package instructions.
- 2Meanwhile, prepare the onion, bell peppers and chili, if using.
- 3Once the chips and chicken are nearly done, sauté the vegetables until slightly softened.
- 4Combine the chips, chicken and vegetables with the Spice Bag Spice Mix in a mixing bowl.
- 5Serve as is, or with your favourite curry sauce.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories
589 kcal
Fat
23 g
Saturated Fat
7.5 g
Carbohydrates
65 g
Sugar
5.4 g
Protein
17.5 g
Fiber
2 g
Salt
1.7 g
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