"Clucking Good" Chicken Empanadas - Fiesta in Your Hand!

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Ever get that craving for something savoury and satisfying? These chicken empanadas are just the ticket! Honestly, the combination of seasoned chicken and flaky pastry is seriously addictive. You know?

Brief Overview

Chicken empanadas hail from latin america, where they're enjoyed as street food and at family gatherings. this empanadas recipe is pretty straightforward, taking about an hour and a half, from start to finish.

It yields around 12 savory hand pies , perfect for sharing... or not!

Main Benefits

These little pockets of joy are packed with protein from the chicken, making them a surprisingly satisfying meal. they're fantastic for parties, picnics, or even a cheeky midweek dinner.

What makes this chicken empanada recipe so special? it's the perfect balance of savoury and a hint of spice, all wrapped in a beautifully golden crust.

Ready to dive in? Let's talk ingredients.

"Clucking Good" Chicken Empanadas - Fiesta in Your Hand! Recipe Card

0.0 / 5 (0 Review)

Preparation time:30 Mins

Cooking time:25 Mins

Servings:12 empanadas

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 teaspoon (5g) salt
• ½ cup (115g/ 1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ½ cup (120ml) cold vegetable shortening, cubed
• ½ cup (120ml) ice water
• 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup/ 150g)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped (about 1 cup/150g)
• 1 pound (450g) cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works a treat!)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a bit of kick!)
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth
• 1/4 cup (60g) pimiento-stuffed green olives, chopped
• ¼ cup (30g) raisins (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

• Combine flour and salt in a bowl (or food processor). Cut in butter and shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Form into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 45 minutes.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion and bell pepper until softened. Add garlic, cumin, paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper (if using); cook until fragrant. Stir in shredded chicken, chicken broth, olives, and raisins (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer until the liquid has reduced. Let cool.
• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out circles using a cookie cutter or bowl. Place a spoonful of filling in the center of each circle. Fold the dough over to form a half-moon shape. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal. Brush with egg wash.
• Place empanadas on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:275

Fat:17.5g

Fiber:2.5g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:Latin American

Getting Started with Your Chicken Empanadas

Dough Ingredients

For the dough, you'll need flour, salt, cold butter, cold shortening, and ice water. the cold ingredients are crucial for achieving that flaky texture, trust me! one time, i used room-temperature butter, and the dough was a disaster.

So, listen to your old auntie and keep everything chilled.

Filling Good

The chicken empanadas filling is where the magic happens. you'll need olive oil, onion, garlic, bell pepper, shredded cooked chicken, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper (optional), chicken broth, olives, and raisins (also optional).

The raisins add a lovely sweetness that balances the savory flavours.

What You'll Need

Besides the ingredients, you'll need a mixing bowl, food processor (optional), rolling pin, cookie cutter or bowl, baking sheet, and parchment paper.

A fork is essential for crimping the edges, so don't forget that!

Ingredients & Equipment for Your Fiesta

So, you wanna whip up some chicken empanadas ? awesome! let's talk about what you'll need. honestly, it’s not too scary, and with a little prep, you'll be munching on those savory hand pies in no time.

Key Ingredients: Get Ready to Rumble

Here's the breakdown. These chicken empanadas are gonna be banging!

• Dough time: you'll need 2 ½ cups ( 300g ) all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon ( 5g ) of salt.

  For that flaky goodness, grab ½ cup ( 115g , that’s 1 stick) cold butter and ½ cup ( 120ml ) cold vegetable shortening.

  Oh, and don't forget ½ cup ( 120ml ) of ice water. finally, 1 egg for that golden wash.

• Filling frenzy: heat up 1 tablespoon ( 15ml ) olive oil. dice up 1 medium onion (about 1 cup/150g ) and 1 red bell pepper (about 1 cup/150g ).

  Mince 2 cloves of garlic. shred 1 pound ( 450g ) of cooked chicken. you'll also need 1 teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, and a pinch of cayenne pepper ( ¼ teaspoon ) if you're feeling brave.

  Pour in 1/2 cup ( 120 ml ) chicken broth, and toss in ¼ cup ( 60g ) chopped pimiento-stuffed green olives, and ¼ cup ( 30g ) of raisins if you are a fan of a touch of sweetness to give our best chicken empanada recipe .

• Quality control: for the butter, go for proper unsalted stuff. you know, the kind that smells amazing even before it hits the pan.

  Makes all the difference when it comes to making homemade empanadas . trust me on this one.

Spice It Up! Seasoning Notes

Cumin, paprika, and oregano is the dream team for chicken empanada filling . it's like a little latin american fiesta in your mouth! a little cayenne gives it a kick.

Don't have oregano? marjoram works in a pinch. salt and pepper are your besties, season generously.

Your Arsenal: Essential Equipment

You'll need a large mixing bowl and a rolling pin for the dough. a food processor is handy, but not essential, to make that easy empanadas recipe .

Grab a 4-inch cookie cutter, or even a bowl. a baking sheet and parchment paper are a must. lastly, a fork for crimping the edges.

Don't have a rolling pin? A wine bottle works pretty well. No cookie cutter? Use the rim of a glass to cut the Baked empanada recipe dough. It's all about making do.

Right then, let's talk about baking these cracking chicken empanadas . forget frying, we're going for that lovely baked empanada recipe goodness, lighter and just as tasty.

Honestly, baking is less faff and less greasy, what's not to love? i always bake mine – it makes me feel slightly less guilty about scoffing three in one go.

Getting Ready for the Bake-Off

Prep like a Pro

First things first, get your mise en place sorted, yeah? chop all your veggies for the chicken empanadas filling . having everything ready saves time and stress, trust me.

Also, safety first! be careful with those knives, we don’t want any accidents. preheat your oven to 375° f ( 190° c) .

Time-Saving Tip

Got leftover cooked chicken? bosh it in! rotisserie chicken from the supermarket works a treat for a quick chicken empanada recipe .

This is how i make the homemade empanadas !. also, get that dough chilling in the fridge for at least 45 minutes .

Cold dough rolls out better.

Baking Those Beauties

Bake to Perfection:

1. Preheat oven to 375° F ( 190° C) . Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Place filled empanadas on the sheet.
3. Brush with egg wash for that lovely golden-brown colour.
4. Bake for 20- 25 minutes .
5. Watch them turn golden.

Visual cues for doneness

You want them a beautiful golden brown. If they are still pale, give them another 5 minutes . Keep a close eye.

Top Tips for the Best Baked Empanadas

Pro Techniques

Don't overcrowd the baking sheet. Give each empanada space to bake evenly. Egg wash is your friend! It gives a lovely sheen.

Avoid These Blunders

Overfilling is a nightmare. They'll burst open and make a right mess. Also, make sure those edges are sealed tight!

Make-Ahead Magic

The filling can be made a day ahead. just store it in the fridge. this easy empanadas recipe is all about flexibility, you know?.

You can also make and freeze the dough, making it even more simple next time you feel like cooking some tasty and unique savory hand pies .

So there you have it, baking is the best way to make chicken empanadas . enjoy these latin american recipes with the greatest english touch, they will be ready and perfect, and remember to share with friends and family.

Recipe Notes That'll Make You A Chicken Empanadas Pro

Alright, so you're ready to tackle these chicken empanadas . awesome! but before you dive in headfirst, let's chat about a few key things.

Little tweaks can take your easy empanadas recipe from good to utterly drool-worthy. honestly, these are all the things i wish i knew before i started messing around with homemade empanadas .

Serving Suggestions: Let's Get Fancy (Or Not!)

Okay, so your chicken empanadas are baked to golden perfection. now what? well, presentation is key. think vibrant! a simple sprig of cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, or a colourful salsa can make all the difference.

For a proper fiesta, serve them with a side of mexican rice. i've even seen people pair them with a light salad.

A cold cerveza or a refreshing agua fresca? bob's your uncle !

Storage Tips: Keep 'Em Fresh

So, you've made a batch of savory hand pies , but have some leftovers? no worries! let them cool completely.

Then, pop them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. if you want to freeze them, wrap each chicken empanada recipe individually in cling film before placing them in a freezer bag.

They'll keep for up to 2-3 months.

When you're ready to reheat, bake them in a preheated oven at 350° f ( 175° c) until heated through.

This helps keep them crispy! microwaving works in a pinch, but they might get a little soggy. nobody wants a soggy chicken turnover recipe , right?

Variations: Make It Your Own!

Fancy mixing things up? of course, you do! for a lighter version of these baked empanada recipes , you could try using whole wheat flour in the dough.

Swap the chicken for black beans and corn for a vegetarian twist. or, if you're feeling adventurous, add a bit of chorizo to the chicken filling for a smoky kick.

You know, i once used leftover christmas turkey in my chicken empanadas filling . it was surprisingly good! it's latin american recipes , so there is no such thing as written in stone recipe.

Nutrition Basics: Fuel Your Body

Let's talk about the good stuff. these chicken empanadas pack a punch of protein from the chicken. they also offer some vitamins and minerals from the veggies.

Just remember, they're not exactly health food due to the pastry. but hey, everything in moderation, right? think of it as a balanced indulgence.

Now go on, give this empanadas recipe a go! don't be afraid to experiment, make mistakes, and have fun. and remember, even if your first batch isn't perfect, they'll still taste amazing.

Enjoy!