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Chicken Empanadas

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Chicken Empanadas are golden, flaky pastries filled with a savory blend of seasoned chicken, vegetables, and spices. These hand-held treats offer the perfect balance of flavors and textures, making them a favorite for any occasion, from family dinners to parties.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

For the Dough:

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

¾ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

1 egg

¼ cup ice water

1 tbsp white vinegar

For the Filling:

2 tbsp olive oil

1 small yellow onion, finely diced

1 red bell pepper, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1½ tsp ground cumin

1 tsp smoked paprika

½ tsp chili powder

½ tsp dried oregano

½ tsp salt

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded

½ cup chicken broth

⅓ cup green olives, chopped

¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

Make the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work it into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, ice water, and vinegar, then pour into the flour-butter mix and stir gently. Knead until the dough forms, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.,Cook the Filling: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and bell pepper, cooking until soft (4–5 minutes). Stir in garlic, cumin, paprika, chili powder, oregano, and salt, and cook for another minute. Add shredded chicken and chicken broth, simmering for 5–7 minutes. Stir in green olives and cilantro, then remove from heat to cool.,Assemble the Empanadas: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the chilled dough on a floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut 4–6 inch rounds. Spoon 2 tablespoons of chicken filling onto one half of each circle, fold, and press edges with a fork to seal.,Bake: Brush the empanadas with egg wash and bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and cheese.,Add jalapeños or cayenne pepper to the filling for a spicier version.,You can use store-bought dough for convenience or prepare it ahead of time.,Empanadas can be frozen before or after baking. Freeze uncooked ones on a baking sheet, then transfer to a bag. Bake directly from frozen.

  • Author: Chloe Mae
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 60–75 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Main Dish
  • Method: undefined
  • Cuisine: Latin American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 empanada
  • Calories: 330
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 320mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 12g
  • Cholesterol: 45mg