Chicken Empanadas Recipe
Crisp, golden pastry meets tender, spiced chicken in a culinary dance that'll transform your kitchen into a Latin American haven. You're about to embark on a delicious journey of crafting chicken empanadas that'll impress family and friends. These handheld delights aren't just a meal—they're a celebration of flavor and tradition waiting to unfold. Want to learn the secrets of creating the perfect empanada that'll have everyone asking for your recipe?
Recipe Highlights
- Chicken empanadas are golden-brown pastries filled with seasoned shredded chicken, mozzarella cheese, and diced tomatoes with green chilies.
- Prepare the filling by mixing cooked shredded chicken, drained tomatoes, and cheese, then carefully placing 2 tablespoons in the center of pre-made empanada discs.
- Seal empanadas by folding discs in half, crimping edges with a fork, and brushing with egg wash to create a glossy, professional finish.
- Bake chicken empanadas at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway to ensure even browning and a crispy, golden exterior.
- These versatile Latin American pastries can be prepared ahead of time, frozen, and reheated in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes, making them perfect for quick meals.
History
While empanadas might seem like a modern culinary staple, their roots stretch back centuries to the Galician region of Spain. You'll discover that these portable pastries originated as convenient meals for travelers and workers, quickly spreading across Latin America through Spanish colonization.
Each region developed its own unique twist on the empanada, incorporating local ingredients and cooking techniques. In Argentina, you'll find beef-filled versions, while Chilean empanadas often feature seafood. The word "empanada" itself comes from the Spanish verb "empanar," meaning to wrap or coat in bread.
As these handheld delights traveled, they absorbed cultural influences, transforming from simple survival food to a beloved culinary tradition. Today, you can enjoy empanadas as a testament to their rich, adaptive history.
Recipe
Chicken Empanadas are a delightful Latin American pastry that combines tender, seasoned chicken with a crispy, golden-brown crust. These handheld treats offer a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making them an ideal option for both casual family meals and social gatherings.
This simplified recipe brings the authentic taste of traditional empanadas to your kitchen with minimal effort, using pre-made empanada discs and a straightforward filling that highlights the natural flavors of the chicken. By following these steps, even novice cooks can create a delicious and impressive dish that will transport diners to the vibrant culinary landscape of Latin America.
Ingredients:
- 12 pre-made empanada discs
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Prepare the filling by combining the shredded chicken, drained diced tomatoes with green chilies, and shredded mozzarella cheese in a mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper to enhance the flavors. Ensure the mixture is well combined and let it cool completely to prevent the empanada dough from becoming soggy.
Lay out the empanada discs and place approximately 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of each disc. Fold the disc in half, creating a half-moon shape, and seal the edges by pressing firmly with a fork. Brush the top of each empanada with beaten egg wash to achieve a golden, glossy finish.
Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through to ensure even browning. For the best results, work with cold empanada discs and avoid overfilling to prevent the dough from tearing.
If you have leftover empanadas, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes to restore their crispy texture and maintain their delicious flavor.
Cooking Steps
You'll start by gathering your ingredients and preparing your workspace, ensuring everything from the pre-made empanada discs to the shredded chicken is ready to go.
Next, you'll mix your filling ingredients in a clean bowl, combining the shredded chicken, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and mozzarella cheese to create a harmonious blend of flavors.
Finally, you'll carefully place your filled empanadas on a baking tray, brush them with egg wash, and bake until they turn a beautiful, golden brown that signals a perfectly crisp and delicious result.
Step 1. Gather and Prepare Ingredients
Gather five key ingredients to transform your kitchen into an empanada preparation station. You'll need pre-made empanada discs, shredded chicken, mozzarella cheese, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and a single egg for wash.
Start by ensuring your chicken is fully cooked and cooled to room temperature, which prevents soggy dough and potential bacterial growth.
Key ingredient preparation steps:
- Drain canned tomatoes thoroughly
- Shred chicken into uniform, bite-sized pieces
- Grate mozzarella cheese freshly
- Crack egg into small bowl for whisking
Organize ingredients on a clean work surface, measuring carefully to maintain proper filling-to-dough ratios.
Check ingredient temperatures and textures, confirming each component is ready for seamless empanada assembly. Your precise preparation now sets the stage for delicious, authentic Latin American pastries.
Step 2. Mix Filling Ingredients Together
Dive into creating your empanada filling by combining the prepared ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl. Grab your shredded chicken and dump it into the bowl, creating a soft, tender base for your filling.
Next, drain the diced tomatoes with green chilies completely, ensuring no excess liquid remains that could make your empanadas soggy. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the chicken, using a fork to gently blend the ingredients until they're evenly distributed.
Key mixing tips:
- Use gentle folding motions
- Ensure even ingredient distribution
- Check for balanced flavor profiles
Taste the mixture and adjust seasonings if needed. The goal is a cohesive filling that'll hold together when you seal the empanada discs. Mix thoroughly but avoid overworking the ingredients, which can break down the chicken's tender texture.
Step 3. Place Empanadas on Tray
After perfectly mixing your chicken, tomato, and cheese filling, prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for your empanadas. Space the discs about 2 inches apart to prevent sticking and ensure even heat circulation.
Use a small spoon to carefully place 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of each disc, being mindful not to overstuff, which can cause tearing during sealing.
Fold each disc carefully, creating a half-moon shape, and press edges firmly with a fork to create a secure seal. This crimping technique not only prevents filling from leaking but also adds a traditional, decorative touch.
If any filling escapes, gently tuck it back inside before sealing to maintain a neat presentation.
Step 4. Brush With Egg Wash
Transform your empanadas from pale pastries to golden delights by carefully whisking an egg and preparing to create that perfect, glossy exterior. Crack one whole egg into a small bowl, then whisk thoroughly until the yolk and white are completely combined, creating a smooth, uniform wash.
Use a pastry brush to lightly coat each empanada's surface, ensuring:
- Complete coverage without pooling
- Gentle, even strokes
- Thin layer that enhances browning
Pay special attention to the sealed edges, brushing carefully to prevent egg from preventing a proper seal.
The egg wash serves multiple purposes:
- Creates a beautiful golden-brown color
- Adds subtle shine
- Helps edges stick together
- Provides a professional finish
Work quickly and systematically, rotating the tray to maintain consistent application across all empanadas before baking.
Step 5. Bake Until Golden Brown
Once you've brushed those empanadas with the golden egg wash, they're primed for the oven's transformative heat.
Place your baking sheet in the preheated 375°F oven, arranging empanadas with enough space between them to ensure even browning. Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through cooking to guarantee uniform golden-brown color and crispy edges.
Visual cues matter: you'll want a rich, amber-like exterior that signals perfect doneness.
Watch for these signs:
- Edges turning deep golden
- Surface becoming uniformly bronzed
- Slight bubbling of the pastry's surface
- Crisp, flaky texture emerging
Remove from the oven when they've reached that ideal color—not pale, not burnt, but a perfect, appetizing golden brown that promises delicious, crispy chicken empanadas.
Final Thoughts
Because chicken empanadas are such a versatile dish, you'll find they're perfect for almost any occasion, from casual weeknight dinners to weekend gatherings with friends.
You'll appreciate how simple ingredients transform into a crowd-pleasing meal that looks impressive yet requires minimal culinary skill. Whether you're serving these as an appetizer or main course, they'll become a go-to recipe in your repertoire.
Pro tips for success include:
- Always let fillings cool completely
- Seal edges thoroughly to prevent leaking
- Experiment with different cheese varieties
- Use a fork's tines for a professional crimped edge
Your homemade chicken empanadas represent more than just a meal—they're a delicious connection to Latin American culinary traditions, crafted with care and served with pride.
