Golden Chicken Empanadas Recipe for Handheld Comfort

Flaky chicken empanadas bring the warmth of Latin American comfort food right to your table with golden, crispy pockets that satisfy every craving.

These handheld treats work beautifully for casual dinners, festive gatherings, or whenever hunger strikes and something savory sounds perfect.

The contrast between the buttery exterior and savory filling creates a delightful eating experience that appeals to nearly everyone.

Whether served as an appetizer, main course, or party snack, empanadas offer impressive flavors without requiring professional cooking skills.

They're easy to customize based on what you love most, making them endlessly adaptable to different tastes and occasions.

Once you make a batch, they disappear quickly because the combination of texture and taste proves too tempting to resist.

Start cooking today and see why empanadas have earned their place as a beloved favorite across countless kitchens.

Reasons To Enjoy These Flaky Homemade Chicken Empanadas

• Simple Skill Builder: Anyone can master homemade empanadas with basic kitchen skills. Your confidence grows with each delicious batch, making this recipe perfect for cooking newcomers.
• Family Crowd Pleaser: Packed with tender chicken and colorful veggies, these empanadas become an instant hit around your dinner table. Kids and adults alike will clean their plates.
• Flexible Meal Option: Whether baked or fried, these empanadas adapt to your dietary preferences and cooking style. Your kitchen, your rules for preparing these tasty hand pies.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dough and filling ahead of time, then assemble when ready to cook. Your future self will thank you for this smart meal prep strategy.

What Makes Up These Homemade Chicken Empanadas

• 3 Cups All-Purpose Flour: Soft and pillowy flour that forms the foundation of your crispy empanada shell.
• 1 Teaspoon Salt: Enhances the flavor of your dough and balances the other ingredients.
• ½ Teaspoon Baking Powder: Creates a light, tender texture in your pastry crust.
• ½ Cup Unsalted Butter, Cold and Cubed: Chilled butter guarantees a flaky, melt-in-your-mouth crust for your empanadas.
• 1 Large Egg: Binds the dough together and provides richness.
• ½ Cup Cold Water: Helps bring your dough to the perfect consistency.

• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil: Provides a smooth base for sautéing your filling ingredients.
• 1 Small Onion, Finely Chopped, 2 Cloves Garlic, Minced: Aromatic foundation that builds deep flavor in your chicken mixture.
• 1 Teaspoon Ground Cumin, ½ Teaspoon Smoked Paprika, ½ Teaspoon Chili Powder: Warming spices that transform your chicken filling.
• 1 ½ Cups Cooked, Shredded Chicken: Protein-packed center of your empanadas.
• ½ Cup Diced Bell Peppers, ½ Cup Frozen Peas: Colorful vegetables that add texture and nutrition.
• ½ Teaspoon Salt, ¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper: Seasonings that balance and enhance your filling.
• ¼ Cup Chicken Broth: Keeps your filling moist and flavorful.

• 1 Egg, 1 Tablespoon Water: Whisked together as an egg wash to brush over the empanadas for a shiny, golden crust.

Tools Supporting Empanada Rolling And Crimping

• Large Mixing Bowl: A spacious bowl perfect for combining your dough ingredients and working the flour and butter together into crumbly magic.
• Rolling Pin: Essential for rolling out your dough to that perfect ⅛-inch thickness. Your pastry will thank you for using this tool.
• Round Cutter (4-5 inches) or Small Bowl: Helps create uniform, perfectly sized empanada circles with clean edges.
• Large Skillet: Your go-to pan for sautéing the chicken filling and creating those delicious, aromatic spices.
• Pastry Cutter or Fingers: Helps break down cold butter into the flour, creating a tender, flaky dough.
• Baking Sheet: Provides a stable surface for baking your empanadas to golden-brown perfection.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
• Fork: Perfect for crimping and sealing the edges of your empanadas.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities for consistent results.
• Kitchen Towels or Paper Towels: Helpful for draining fried empanadas and keeping your workspace clean.

Steps Creating Flaky Homemade Chicken Empanadas

Small Boosts That Elevate Chicken Empanada Flavor

• Work cold butter into flour quickly using fingertips to create flaky texture. Cold ingredients are crucial for tender, delicate empanada crust.
• Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes to relax gluten and make rolling smoother. Your dough becomes easier to handle and rolls out perfectly.
• Sauté onions and garlic first to build deep flavor foundation for chicken mixture. Season generously with spices to create robust, memorable taste.
• Press empanada edges firmly with fork tines to prevent filling from leaking during cooking. Brush edges with water for extra-secure seal.
• Bake at 375°F for golden, healthier result or fry for crispy, traditional texture. Both methods deliver delicious empanadas your family will devour.

Creative Chicken Empanada Variations

• Vegetarian Empanadas: Swap chicken for black beans, roasted sweet potatoes, and corn to create a hearty plant-based filling that still delivers tons of flavor.
• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum to help your dough hold together perfectly when rolling and baking.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Add diced green chiles and swap smoked paprika for chipotle powder to give your empanadas a serious kick of heat that will wake up your taste buds.
• Freezer-Friendly Batch: Prepare a double batch of empanadas, freeze them uncooked on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for quick weeknight meals anytime your hunger strikes.

Serving Hacks For Homemade Savory Chicken Empanadas

• Pair with Fresh Salsa: Chop some ripe tomatoes, onions, and cilantro to create a zesty salsa that cuts through the richness of your empanadas. Your taste buds will thank you for the bright, tangy contrast.
• Create a Cool Dip: Whip up a quick sour cream or yogurt-based dip with a sprinkle of lime zest and chopped chives. This creamy accompaniment will make each bite even more delicious.
• Serve with Side Salad: Toss together a light green salad with mixed greens, avocado, and a simple vinaigrette. The fresh salad will balance the hearty empanadas perfectly on your plate.
• Complement with Drink: Grab a cold Mexican beer or a crisp white wine to complete your meal. The right beverage will enhance the flavors of your homemade empanadas and make the dining experience more enjoyable.

Ways To Store Homemade Chicken Empanadas

• Refrigerate leftover empanadas in an airtight container for 3-4 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Reheat baked empanadas in the oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes to keep your crust crispy and restore that fresh-from-the-oven texture.
• Freeze uncooked empanadas on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months – perfect for quick future meals when your cooking time is short.
• Microwave reheating works in a pinch, but place a damp paper towel over your empanadas to prevent the pastry from getting tough and dry.

Chicken Empanada Questions People Commonly Ask

Flaky Chicken Empanadas Recipe

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Chicken Empanadas are a delightful culinary adventure waiting to happen in your kitchen. Crispy pastry pockets packed with seasoned chicken will make your taste buds dance with Latin American flavor.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups cooked, shredded chicken
• 1 large egg

Dough Components:

• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup cold water

Filling and Seasoning:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 0.5 cup diced bell peppers
• 0.5 cup frozen peas
• 0.25 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon water

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Instructions

1. Whisk 3 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon baking powder in a large bowl. Crumble ½ cup cold, cubed butter into the mixture using your fingertips until it looks like coarse breadcrumbs.
2. Beat 1 large egg with ½ cup cold water. Pour into flour mixture and stir until dough forms. Knead briefly on a floured surface until smooth. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes at 40°F.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet at medium temperature (350°F). Sauté 1 small finely chopped onion for 3 minutes until translucent.
4. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook 30 seconds. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, and ½ teaspoon chili powder into the pan.
5. Mix 1 ½ cups shredded chicken, ½ cup bell peppers, and ½ cup frozen peas into the skillet. Season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
6. Pour ¼ cup chicken broth into the filling and simmer 2-3 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes at room temperature.
7. Roll chilled dough to ⅛-inch thickness. Cut 4-inch diameter circles using a cutter or bowl.
8. Place 1 tablespoon filling on half of each dough circle. Fold over and crimp edges with a fork to seal.
9. Whisk 1 egg with 1 tablespoon water for egg wash. Brush sealed empanadas.
10. Bake at 375°F for 22 minutes on a parchment-lined sheet until golden brown, or deep fry at 350°F for 2-3 minutes per side until crispy.

Notes

• Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes helps prevent shrinkage and creates a flakier crust when baking.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute regular flour with a blend of almond and coconut flour to maintain a similar texture.
• Seal the edges of the empanadas tightly with a fork to prevent filling from leaking during baking, ensuring a neat and professional look.
• Experiment with different fillings like vegetarian black bean or pulled pork to personalize the recipe and keep things interesting for your family and friends.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes (bake) or 6 minutes (fry)
• Category: Chicken
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Latin American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 370 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 330 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg