Spicy Buffalo Chicken Empanadas Recipe For Game Day

Buffalo chicken empanadas bring bold, spicy comfort food to handheld pastry perfection.

The fusion of Latin American tradition with game day flavors creates something unexpectedly delightful that works for casual gatherings or weeknight dinners alike.

Crispy golden pockets packed with heat and savory goodness make it easy to see why everyone reaches for seconds.

The beauty lies in how portable and crowd-friendly they become, turning any occasion into something memorable.

Serve them hot from the oven when friends come over, or pack them for lunch the next day—they're just as satisfying either way.

No forks or plates required means less cleanup and more fun.

When you need something that feels special but stays approachable, nothing quite compares to biting into one of those flaky, flavor-packed parcels.

Check out the full recipe below and prepare to impress everyone at the table.

Crowd-Pleasant Qualities Of Buffalo Chicken Empanadas

• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: These Buffalo chicken empanadas are perfect for game day or casual gatherings where friends want something tasty and shareable that doesn’t require complicated prep.
• Shortcut Cooking: Using pre-made cookie dough as the empanada wrapper means zero stress about making pastry from scratch, so your kitchen time stays super simple.
• Flavor Explosion: The combination of spicy Buffalo sauce, creamy blue cheese dressing, and melted cheese creates a seriously delicious bite that packs serious punch in every single empanada.
• Flexible Favorite: These hand-held treats work great as an appetizer, light meal, or snack – plus kids and adults both tend to love them because of the familiar flavors and fun format.

Buffalo Chicken Empanada Ingredient Breakdown

• Cooked Chicken (1 1/2 c.): The star protein that brings savory flavor to your empanadas.
• Buffalo Sauce (1/2 c.): Adds a classic spicy kick that transforms your chicken filling.
• Bleu Cheese Dressing (1/2 c.): Creamy complement that balances the buffalo heat perfectly.
• Pillsbury Grands Biscuits (1 container): Convenient, flaky dough that becomes your crispy empanada shell.
• Kraft Fresh Take Cheese (1 can): Provides extra cheesy goodness throughout your filling.
• Parmesan Cheese (1/2 c.): Sprinkled on top for a golden, crispy finish.
• Butter (1 Tbsp): Brushed on top to help your empanadas achieve a beautiful golden brown color.

Equipment For Buffalo Chicken Empanadas

• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious container where you’ll combine chicken, cheese, Buffalo sauce, and dressing for a perfect mix.
• Baking Sheet: Sturdy pan where your empanadas will transform into golden, crispy treats.
• Parchment Paper or Cooking Spray: Essential for preventing empanadas from sticking to the baking sheet.
• Fork: Perfect tool for crimping and sealing empanada edges with a classic, decorative pattern.
• Pastry Brush: Small brush for evenly spreading melted butter across empanada tops.
• Measuring Cups: Helpful for accurately portioning ingredients and keeping your recipe consistent.
• Sharp Knife: Useful for cutting or trimming pastry edges if needed.

How to Fill and Bake Buffalo Chicken Empanadas

Extra Kitchen Insight for Buffalo Chicken Empanadas

• Quickly chop cooked chicken into small, even pieces to ensure every bite has perfect Buffalo flavor.
• Gently press and stretch refrigerated cookies with your fingertips to create a smooth, even circle for easier filling and sealing.
• Use a small spoon to center the Buffalo chicken mixture, leaving enough room to seal edges without spillage.
• Press fork tines firmly around empanada edges to create a tight seal and prevent filling from leaking during baking.
• Sprinkle Parmesan generously before baking for a crispy, golden-brown cheese crust that adds extra crunch.

Flavorful Options for Buffalo Chicken Empanadas

• Veggie Packed Empanadas: Swap chicken for roasted mixed vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms, keeping the Buffalo sauce for a spicy kick that makes your vegetarian version totally delicious.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Replace refrigerated cookies with gluten-free pie crust or gluten-free empanada dough to ensure everyone can enjoy these crispy, saucy pockets without worry.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust Buffalo sauce amount from mild to extra hot, letting you customize the heat so your family and friends get exactly the spiciness they prefer with each bite.
• Turkey Swap Option: Trade chicken for ground turkey for a leaner protein that still delivers the same bold Buffalo flavor and satisfying texture in your empanadas.

What Goes Well With Buffalo Chicken Empanadas

• Perfect Party Starter: Serve these buffalo chicken empanadas as a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’ll disappear faster than you can say “delicious”!
• Dip and Dive: Pair with cool ranch or blue cheese dressing to balance the spicy Buffalo kick your taste buds will adore.
• Sidekick Suggestions: Complement these crispy pockets with a fresh green salad or coleslaw to cut through the rich, tangy chicken filling.
• Beverage Buddy: Grab a cold beer or crisp white wine to wash down the zesty flavors and cool your palate between bites.

Simple Storage Guide for Buffalo Chicken Empanadas

• Store leftover empanadas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, pop them in the oven at 350 degrees to keep the crust crispy and prevent sogginess.
• Freeze unbaked empanadas on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll stay fresh for about a month. Bake directly from frozen, adding 5-10 extra minutes to the cooking time.
• Prep the filling ahead and store it in the refrigerator for 2 days before assembling. This helps the flavors meld and makes your cooking process super quick when you’re ready to bake.
• Keep extra Buffalo sauce on hand for dipping. A small container in the fridge means you can add extra kick whenever your empanadas need a flavor boost.

Buffalo Chicken Empanadas Questions Readers Often Ask

Buffalo Chicken Empanadas Recipe

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4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 30-35 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

These buffalo chicken empanadas pack serious flavor into a handheld pocket of spicy goodness that’ll make your taste buds dance. Crispy pastry wrapped around zesty chicken creates the perfect game-day snack your friends will devour.

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Ingredients

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Primary Protein:

• 1 ½ cups chicken, cooked and shredded

Cheese and Dairy:

• ½ cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 can (6 ounces) Kraft fresh four salty cheeses to go
• ½ cup Bleu cheese dressing
• 1 tablespoon butter

Bread and Sauce:

• 1 (16.3 ounces) container Pillsbury Grands Biscuits home style
• ½ cup Buffalo sauce

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Instructions

1. Mix 1 ½ cups shredded chicken, ½ cup Buffalo sauce, ½ cup bleu cheese dressing, and 1 can of Kraft Fresh Take cheese in a large bowl until thoroughly combined.
2. Open the Pillsbury Grands Biscuit container and separate each biscuit. Gently stretch each biscuit into a 5-inch circle using your fingers.
3. Spoon exactly ⅛ of the chicken mixture into the center of each biscuit circle. Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape.
4. Press the edges of each empanada closed using fork tines, creating a tight seal to prevent filling from leaking.
5. Place the empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them evenly apart.
6. Melt 1 Tbsp butter and brush the top of each empanada generously. Sprinkle ½ cup Parmesan cheese over the buttered surfaces.
7. Slide the baking sheet into a preheated 375°F oven. Bake for 22-24 minutes until the empanadas turn golden brown and crispy.

Notes

• Use rotisserie chicken for a quick and easy filling that adds extra flavor to your empanadas.
• Seal the edges tightly with a fork to prevent the filling from leaking during baking.
• For a gluten-free version, swap the cookies for gluten-free pie crust or empanada dough.
• Serve with extra blue cheese or ranch dressing on the side for dipping and added zest.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
• Category: Chicken
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 317 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 647 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg