Golden Baked Chicken Empanadas Recipe: Crispy Homemade Joy

Crafting delectable baked chicken empanadas brings pure joy to any kitchen adventure.

Crispy pastry shells cradle succulent seasoned meat with surprising depth.

Flaky edges promise a delightful crunch that surprises your palate.

Latin American culinary traditions inspire this mouthwatering handheld delight.

Homemade recipes often intimidate novice cooks, but these empanadas prove simple techniques yield incredible results.

Warm, golden pockets filled with savory chicken will make you the star of any gathering.

You’ll want to savor every delicious bite of this comforting classic.

Why Baked Chicken Empanadas Are Always A Hit

• Craft Culinary Artistry: Transform simple ingredients into a gourmet-style dish that looks and tastes professionally prepared.
• Customize Your Creation: Adapt the filling with different proteins like ground beef, pulled pork, or vegetarian alternatives to match personal preferences and dietary needs.
• Master Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Deliver a universally loved handheld meal perfect for gatherings, potlucks, game nights, or casual family dinners that satisfies everyone's taste buds.
• Skill-Building Kitchen Adventure: Practice essential cooking techniques like dough making, filling preparation, and pastry sealing while developing confidence in homemade culinary skills.

What You’ll Need For Baked Chicken Empanadas

Main Ingredients:

• Shredded Chicken: The primary protein that provides a hearty and flavorful base for the empanada.
• Onions: Adds a sharp and aromatic flavor to the chicken mixture.
• Bell Peppers: Introduces a sweet and slightly crunchy element to the filling.
• Garlic: Provides a robust and pungent flavor to the chicken mixture.

• Flour: The fundamental base for creating a tender and flaky pastry.
• Cold Butter: Ensures a light and crisp texture in the empanada crust.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dough.

• Beaten Egg: Creates a golden and glossy exterior for the empanadas.
• Fresh Cilantro: Offers a bright and fresh garnish to the finished dish.
• Lime Wedges: Provides a zesty and tangy accompaniment to the empanadas.

• Cumin: Adds a warm and earthy spice to the chicken filling.
• Black Pepper: Introduces a subtle heat and depth to the overall flavor profile.

• Cold Water: Helps bind the dough ingredients together for a smooth consistency.

How To Bake Baked Chicken Empanadas Step-By-Step

Step 1: Prepare Flavor-Packed Filling

• Diced onions
• Chopped bell peppers
• Minced garlic
• Ground cumin
• Salt
• Black pepper

Combine ingredients thoroughly, creating a mouthwatering mixture that promises incredible taste.

Step 2: Create Flaky Dough Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut cold butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse, crumbly texture. Slowly add cold water, kneading gently until a smooth, cohesive dough forms.

Step 3: Roll Out Perfect Dough Rounds

Dust a clean surface with flour. Roll the dough to an even 1/8-inch thickness. Use a circular cutter or small plate to create uniform dough rounds that will become the empanada shells.

Step 4: Assemble Empanada Pockets

Place a generous spoonful of chicken filling in the center of each dough round. Leave a small border around the edges to ensure a proper seal. Carefully fold the dough over the filling, creating a half-moon shape.

Step 5: Seal with Crimp and Shine

Press the edges of each empanada firmly with a fork, creating a decorative and secure seal. Brush the exterior with beaten egg to achieve a beautiful golden sheen during baking.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Arrange empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring they don’t touch. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the pastry turns a rich, golden brown and looks irresistibly crisp.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Remove empanadas from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro and serve alongside zesty lime wedges for an extra burst of flavor.

Top Tips For Crispy Baked Chicken Empanadas

• Knead with Confidence: Ensure dough is cold and handle minimally to maintain flaky, tender pastry texture.
• Seal Like a Pro: Press fork edges firmly and avoid overfilling to prevent empanadas from bursting during baking.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Add a splash of white wine or chicken broth to the filling for enhanced aromatic complexity.
• Customize for Dietary Needs: Substitute wheat flour with gluten-free blend or use whole wheat flour for added nutrition.
• Maximize Freshness: Store leftover empanadas in airtight container and reheat in oven to maintain crispy exterior.

Tasty Fills And Twists For Baked Chicken Empanadas

• Spicy Southwest Chicken Empanadas: Add diced jalapeños, chili powder, and a sprinkle of cayenne to the chicken mixture for a fiery kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken Empanadas: Incorporate feta cheese, chopped kalamata olives, and dried oregano into the filling for a Greek-inspired version.
• Smoky BBQ Chicken Empanadas: Mix shredded chicken with tangy barbecue sauce, caramelized onions, and a touch of smoked paprika for a rich, savory profile.
• Green Chile Chicken Empanadas: Blend roasted green chiles, pepper jack cheese, and a dash of cumin to create a zesty, southwestern-style filling.

What Goes Well With Baked Chicken Empanadas

• Elevate Chicken Empanada Experience
• Pair with Crisp Sauvignon Blanc: Bright, zesty white wine cuts through the rich pastry and complements the chicken's spices, creating a refreshing balance.
• Serve with Tangy Salsa Verde: Homemade green salsa adds vibrant acidity that enhances the empanada's savory filling, bringing extra layers of flavor to each bite.
• Complement with Mexican Slaw: Crunchy cabbage slaw dressed in lime and cilantro provides a cool, fresh contrast to the warm, golden empanadas, adding textural excitement.
• Match with Craft Mexican Lager: Light, crisp beer with subtle malt notes cleanses the palate and perfectly matches the empanada's hearty, spiced chicken profile.

How To Store Baked Chicken Empanadas The Smart Way

• Transfer cooled empanadas to an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Wrap individual empanadas tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn; freeze for up to 2-3 months.
• Thaw frozen empanadas in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to restore crispiness and maintain original texture.
• If storing filling separately, keep the chicken mixture in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, ensuring freshness and preventing bacterial growth.

Baked Chicken Empanadas FAQs Everyone Asks

• Why use cold butter in the dough?

Cold butter creates flaky, tender layers in the pastry by preventing complete butter melting during mixing, which helps develop a light, crisp texture.

• Can I use pre-made pie dough instead of making my own?

While possible, homemade dough provides better flavor and texture, giving you more control over the empanada’s quality and taste.

• How do I prevent the empanadas from leaking during baking?

Ensure edges are firmly sealed with a fork, avoid overfilling, and leave a small border around the filling to create a tight seal before crimping.

• What's the best way to reheat leftover empanadas?

Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes to maintain crispiness, avoiding microwave which can make the pastry soggy.

Baked Chicken Empanadas Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Savory Chicken Empanadas blend flaky pastry with seasoned chicken, creating a mouthwatering Latin American classic. Crisp golden edges and rich, spiced filling promise a delightful culinary journey you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Filling:

• 2 cups shredded chicken
• 1/2 cup diced onions
• 1/4 cup diced bell peppers
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Dough:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup cold butter
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 1 egg (for egg wash)

Accompaniments:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 lime (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Mix shredded chicken with onions, bell peppers, garlic, cumin, salt, and black pepper in a bowl, creating a robust and aromatic filling.
2. Prepare empanada dough by combining flour and salt in a large mixing bowl, then cut cold butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Gradually add cold water to the flour mixture, kneading until a smooth, cohesive dough forms.
4. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to approximately 1/8-inch thickness, creating an even platform for empanada assembly.
5. Use a circular cutter or small plate to create uniform dough rounds, ensuring consistent empanada size.
6. Place a generous spoonful of chicken filling in the center of each dough round, leaving space around the edges for sealing.
7. Fold dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape, pressing edges firmly with a fork to create a decorative and secure seal.
8. Brush each empanada with beaten egg, which will help achieve a golden, glossy exterior during baking.
9. Preheat oven to 375°F and arrange empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching.
10. Bake for 20-25 minutes until pastry turns a rich, golden brown and appears crisp and flaky.
11. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges for a bright, zesty finish.

Notes

• Keep chicken filling moist by not overcooking during initial preparation, which prevents dry and tough empanadas.
• Chill dough for 30 minutes before rolling to ensure flakier, more tender pastry with better structural integrity.
• Use cold butter and minimal handling when making dough to maintain a delicate, light texture that doesn’t become tough.
• Experiment with gluten-free flour blends for a celiac-friendly version without compromising the empanada’s delicious flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Latin American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 305
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 380 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg