Irresistibly Flavorful Chicken Empanadas Recipe for Your Table

Crispy and golden chicken empanadas dance with flavor, promising a delightful culinary adventure.

Pastry pockets burst with savory fillings that tell a story of comfort and tradition.

Every bite brings memories of cozy kitchens and shared meals.

Spices weave through tender meat, creating a symphony of taste that calls you closer.

Flaky crusts cradle a delectable mixture that sparks curiosity and hunger.

Perfectly balanced ingredients come together in a handheld treat that feels like a warm embrace.

Prepare to fall in love with this irresistible recipe that will become your new favorite go-to dish.

Why Chicken Empanadas Are Always a Win

• Savor Homemade Comfort: These chicken empanadas deliver a warm, satisfying meal packed with delicious flavors that remind you of traditional family cooking.
• Master Easy Culinary Skills: The recipe offers simple steps perfect for home cooks of all levels, allowing anyone to create restaurant-quality pastries without advanced techniques.
• Customize Your Filling: Flexible ingredients mean you can swap chicken for other proteins or add different cheeses, making this recipe adaptable to personal taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Perfect Party Pleaser: Compact, handheld empanadas work wonderfully for gatherings, potlucks, and casual celebrations where guests can enjoy bite-sized deliciousness without complicated serving requirements.

What You’ll Need to Make Chicken Empanadas

• Chicken: Shredded meat that serves as the primary protein and flavor base for the empanadas.
• Flour: Key ingredient for creating the pastry dough that forms the empanada shell.
• Butter: Provides richness and helps create a flaky, tender pastry crust.

• Onions, Bell Peppers, Garlic: Aromatic vegetables that add depth and flavor to the chicken filling.
• Cumin: Warm spice that provides a distinctive earthy and slightly nutty taste to the chicken mixture.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb that brings a bright, citrusy note to the filling.
• Lime Juice: Adds a tangy brightness and helps balance the flavors of the chicken mixture.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the filling.

• Egg: Used for creating a golden, glossy finish on the empanada surface.
• Shredded Cheese: Adds creamy texture and additional flavor to the chicken filling.
• Cold Water: Helps bind the pastry dough together and create a smooth consistency.

How to Wrap and Bake Chicken Empanadas

Step 1: Sizzle Veggies to Perfection

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss in onions, bell peppers, and garlic. Stir and cook until the vegetables become soft and release their mouthwatering aroma, about 4-5 minutes.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Chicken Filling

• Cumin
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir everything thoroughly to ensure the seasonings coat every bit of chicken.

Step 3: Boost Filling with Bright Flavors

Squeeze fresh lime juice into the chicken mixture. Fold in chopped cilantro. Let the filling cool completely to room temperature.

Step 4: Craft the Flaky Pastry Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Chop cold butter into tiny pieces and work it into the flour using your fingertips until the mixture looks like coarse sandy crumbs.

Step 5: Bring Dough Together

Slowly add cold water to the flour mixture. Gently knead until a smooth, cohesive dough forms. Be careful not to overwork the dough.

Step 6: Roll and Cut Dough Circles

Dust your work surface with flour. Roll out the dough to about 1/8 inch thickness. Use a round cutter to create perfect circles.

Step 7: Fill with Delicious Goodness

Place a small scoop of chicken filling and a sprinkle of shredded cheese in the center of each dough circle.

Step 8: Shape and Seal Empanadas

Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Use a fork to crimp and seal the edges completely.

Step 9: Add Golden Shine

Whisk an egg and brush it over the surface of each empanada to create a beautiful golden finish.

Step 10: Prepare for Baking

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the empanadas.

Step 11: Bake to Crispy Perfection

Bake for 20-25 minutes until the pastry turns a gorgeous golden brown and becomes wonderfully crispy.

Step 12: Rest and Serve

Remove from the oven and let the empanadas rest for 5 minutes. Serve hot and enjoy the delicious results of your culinary adventure!

Easy Tips for Golden, Flaky Chicken Empanadas

• Perfectly Seal Edges: Press fork tines firmly along empanada edges to prevent filling from leaking during baking.
• Chill Dough for Flakiness: Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes before rolling to ensure a tender, crisp pastry texture.
• Boost Flavor with Spices: Experiment with smoked paprika or chili powder to add depth and complexity to chicken filling.
• Make Ahead and Freeze: Prepare uncooked empanadas, freeze on baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bag for convenient future meals.
• Control Moisture Carefully: Pat chicken dry before mixing to avoid soggy empanada filling and maintain ideal pastry crispness.

Spicy and Cheesy Spins on Chicken Empanadas

• Spicy Jalapeño Chicken Empanadas: Add diced jalapeños and a dash of hot sauce to the chicken filling for a fiery kick that elevates the flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Black Bean Empanadas: Replace chicken with seasoned black beans, diced bell peppers, and corn for a protein-packed meatless alternative.
• Mediterranean Chicken Empanadas: Incorporate feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and oregano to give the empanadas a Mediterranean-inspired taste.
• Southwestern Quinoa Chicken Empanadas: Mix quinoa with the chicken filling and add roasted green chiles for a nutritious and zesty southwestern version.

What to Eat with Chicken Empanadas

• Pair Citrus Margaritas: Zesty lime cocktail that complements the bright cilantro and lime notes in the chicken empanadas, cutting through the richness of the pastry.
• Serve Crisp Cabbage Slaw: Fresh, tangy side salad with vinegar-based dressing that provides a crunchy contrast to the warm, flaky empanadas and cleanses the palate.
• Create Smoky Salsa Verde: Spicy green sauce with roasted tomatillos and jalapeños that adds depth and heat, enhancing the cumin-spiced chicken filling's complexity.
• Match Chilled Cerveza: Light Mexican beer like Modelo or Corona that refreshes the mouth and balances the empanadas' richness with its crisp, clean finish.

How to Keep Chicken Empanadas Fresh

• Store cooked chicken empanadas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure they cool completely before sealing to prevent condensation and maintain crispiness.
• Prepare empanadas, place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer bags. Keep frozen for up to 2 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 5-7 extra minutes to cooking time.
• Allow empanadas to cool completely, wrap individually in plastic wrap, then store in freezer bags. Reheat in oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to restore crispness.
• Keep baked empanadas at room temperature for up to 2 hours.

Chicken Empanadas: Frequently Asked Questions

• What makes the dough flaky and tender?

Cold butter and minimal handling create a tender, flaky pastry. Cut butter into small pieces and mix quickly to prevent overworking the dough, which can make it tough.

• Can I use pre-made dough for this recipe?

Yes, you can use store-bought pie crust or empanada dough as a time-saving alternative. However, homemade dough offers better flavor and texture.

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

Ensure edges are firmly crimped with a fork and avoid overfilling. Leave a small border around the filling when sealing to create a secure closure.

• What type of cheese works best in chicken empanadas?

Shredded monterey jack, mild cheddar, or queso fresco are excellent choices.

Chicken Empanadas Recipe

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4.9 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Savory chicken empanadas bring Latin American comfort straight to your kitchen, blending rich spices and flaky pastry. Crisp golden edges and tender filling promise a delightful culinary journey you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Chicken 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)

Additional Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese
• 1 lime (for juice)

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Instructions

1. Sauté onions, bell peppers, and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until softened and aromatic, approximately 4-5 minutes.
2. Add shredded chicken, cumin, salt, and black pepper to the vegetable mixture, stirring thoroughly to combine and distribute seasonings evenly.
3. Squeeze fresh lime juice into the chicken filling and incorporate chopped cilantro, then set aside to cool completely.
4. Mix flour and salt in a large mixing bowl, then cut cold butter into small pieces and work into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
5. Gradually add cold water to the flour mixture, kneading gently until a smooth dough forms.
6. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to approximately 1/8 inch thickness and cut into circular shapes using a round cutter.
7. Place a small portion of chicken filling and shredded cheese in the center of each dough circle.
8. Fold dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape, then crimp edges firmly with a fork to seal completely.
9. Whisk egg and brush the surface of each empanada to create a golden finish.
10. Preheat oven to 375°F and arrange empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
11. Bake for 20-25 minutes until pastry turns golden brown and crispy.
12. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

• Select bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for more flavor and juiciness compared to chicken breasts.
• Toast cumin briefly before adding to enhance its nutty, warm aromatic profile in the filling.
• Ensure chicken filling cools completely to prevent soggy dough and prevent potential leakage during baking.
• Replace regular flour with gluten-free alternatives for individuals with wheat sensitivities, using a 1:1 baking blend.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like queso fresco, monterey jack, or sharp cheddar for unique flavor dimensions.
• Freeze unbaked empanadas for quick future meals by layering between parchment paper in an airtight container.
• Add diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the filling for those craving extra heat and spiciness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Latin American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg