Chicken Empanada Recipe (2024)

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My Chicken Empanada Recipe is a deliciously buttery, flaky, and flavorful little pillow of chicken with caramelized onions. This savory chicken hand pie recipe is easy to make ahead of time and bake up for an easy celebration. Known as empanadas de Pollo, my tasty-filled pillows are the perfect make-ahead appetizers for parties and the holidays!

Chicken Empanadas

This is hands down the recipe my family requests over and over for every family gathering. I have made hundreds for the holidays and even our summer vacations. They are perfect for a fun meal or as an appetizer.

I always make them ahead of time and reheat them when everyone arrives. It is impossible to have just one!

The best empanadas I have ever made! Thank you for this delicious recipe.

Paul via email

Empanada Dough Ingredients

• all-purpose flour
• salt
• granulated sugar
• unsalted buttermelted
• cold water

Follow my step-by-step empanada dough instructions.

Empanada Filling Ingredients

• vegetable oil
• onionsdiced
• garlic clovesminced
• boneless, skinless chicken breastscooked and shredded – shredded chicken recipe
• paprika
• ground cumin
• salt
• ground black pepper
• ground red chili
• hot water

I love using leftover Thanksgiving turkey for this recipe. It’s the perfect use of leftovers!

Chicken Empanada Recipe

1. In the bowl of a food processor, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Slowly add melted butter and water to create a soft, smooth dough.
2. Form the butter pastry dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
3. Drizzle oil in a large pan over medium-low heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and caramelized. Add garlic and cook until just fragrant.
4. Stir in shredded chicken and season with paprika, cumin, salt and pepper, and ground chili. Add water and cook, uncovered, until most has evaporated. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Make-ahead tip: The chicken empanada filling can be refrigerated until the next day if desired.

How to Make Chicken Empanadas

1. Roll the butter pastry dough into a thin sheet on a lightly floured surface. Use a circular cutter to cut out circles of dough. If you don’t have one, use a small plate or bowl and cut around it as a guide. If using Goya Discos, skip this step.
2. Place the chicken filling in the center of each circle. Brush the edges lightly with a little beaten egg, fold the dough over the filling, and press the edges together to seal.
3. Seal completely using the tines of a fork or create a rope appearance by pulling the edge out slightly and folding over, starting from one end and finishing at the opposite side. Repeat until all are folded and sealed.
   

Empanadas Recipes Tips

• Be careful not to over-stuff the pastry; the crust may become difficult to close and split open while baking.
• I made the edges look like a rope by pulling the edge out slightly and folding them over, starting from one end and finishing at the opposite side.
• You can also use a fork to crimp the edges or an . Whichever method you use, the important part is to make sure they are completely sealed to keep the chicken filling inside.

What is an Empanada?

Empanadas are baked or fried hand pies that can have either a savory or sweet filling. You may also hear them referred to as empanaditas, empanadillas, or pastelillos, depending on what country they are from. They are essentially turnover pastries. The name empanada comes from the Spanish term for “wrapped in bread”, they are found by different names in many cultures.

Types of Empanada Dough

Our recipe uses a homemade dough recipe, but this is optional!

1. Make your own dough using our recipe.
2. Use store-bought pie dough.
3. Use Goya discos -The easy empanada recipe! You can find these in the freezer section of your grocery store along with other international foods.

We have tried this recipe using all three types of empanada dough and they are all equally delicious. The homemade empanada dough is a little more buttery and flaky, but pie dough and Goya discos also work really well when in a rush.

Follow my step-by-step instructions on how to make empanada dough. If using Goya discos instead of making your own empanada dough recipe, make sure to thaw them for at least 30 minutes before making the filling, so they’re ready to bake when you need them.

Make-Ahead Chicken Empanadas Recipe

One of the most convenient things about this recipe is that you can prepare the entire recipe and bake it right before your guests arrive. It is a perfect party recipe.

The empanada dough recipe can be made and refrigerated for up to two days in advance. After simmering the chicken empanada filling, it can also be refrigerated overnight.

Chicken Empanada Recipe FAQs

How to Store Chicken Empanadas

1. Cool them: Let the chicken empanadas cool down to room temperature after cooking.
2. Use an airtight container: Place the cooled empanadas in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag.
3. Refrigerate: If you plan to eat them within a few days, store them in the fridge. They should stay fresh for 4 days.
4. Freeze: For longer storage, individually wrap the empanadas in plastic wrap or foil, then put them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Label and date the container. They can stay frozen for 2 months.

How to Reheat a Chicken Empanada

1. Oven or Toaster Oven:
   • Preheat your oven or toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Place the empanadas on a baking sheet or oven-safe tray.
   • Heat them for about 10-15 minutes or until they are heated through and the crust becomes crispy again.
2. Microwave (for a quicker but less crispy result):
   • Place the empanadas on a microwave-safe plate.
   • Microwave them in 20-30 second intervals until they’re heated to your liking. Be cautious not to overheat them, as they may become soggy.
3. Air Fryer (for a quick and crispy result):
   • Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
   • Place the empanadas in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
   • Heat for about 3-5 minutes, checking periodically until they are heated through and the crust turns crispy.

Empanada Recipes

• Caramel Apple Empanadas
• Pumpkin Empanadas
• Shrimp Empanadas
• Puerto Rican Empanadas

Side Dishes for Empanadas

• Elotes Mexicanos
• Corn on the Cob on the Grill
• Portuguese Rice
• Instant Pot Rice

For more tips on cooking the best chicken recipes, check out my Chicken Temperature Chart, complete with a cooking guide – and try my Chicken Fajitas!

📋 Recipe