Have you ever asked yourself what chicken empanadas are made of? You’re not alone. Chicken empanadas are a favorite dish in many Latin American and Spanish kitchens. These savory pastries feature a flaky or crispy dough filled with seasoned shredded chicken, vegetables, cheese, and a variety of flavorful spices. You can bake them for a healthier option or fry them for a golden, crispy crust. Whether you’re serving them as snacks, appetizers, or a full meal, chicken empanadas are always a hit.
What makes chicken empanadas especially appealing is their versatility. You can easily change the filling to match your taste preferences. For example, if you enjoy spice, you might add jalapeños, or if you love creamy textures, you could include extra cheese. Moreover, baking the empanadas instead of frying gives you a lighter alternative while still preserving the delicious flavor. Chicken, as a primary ingredient, is packed with lean protein and offers many health benefits. If you’re curious about its nutritional value, check out this USDA nutritional guide. Now, let’s explore the key ingredients and simple steps to making these mouth-watering empanadas at home.
What Are Chicken Empanadas?
Chicken empanadas are small, handheld pastries stuffed with shredded chicken, vegetables, and sometimes cheese. The dough forms a tender, flavorful shell that holds the filling inside. While empanadas might remind you of turnovers or pies, they are usually smaller and perfect for quick snacks, appetizers, or even light meals.
One of the best things about chicken empanadas is how easy it is to customize them. The dough serves as the crispy or flaky outer layer, and the filling can be adjusted to your liking. Most traditional chicken empanadas include seasoned, shredded chicken along with vegetables like onions and bell peppers. Some versions also add cheese for extra richness, while spices like cumin and paprika enhance the flavor. If you’d like to try other ways to cook shredded chicken for your meals, check out our Instant Pot shredded chicken guide.
Key Ingredients for Chicken Empanadas
Now that we’ve explained what chicken empanadas are, let’s break down the essential ingredients that give them their delicious flavor. Each component plays a key role in making sure your empanadas turn out perfect.
1. Empanada Dough
The dough is the foundation of any great empanada. It should be strong enough to hold the filling without falling apart but still soft and flaky when cooked. A basic empanada dough is made with:
- All-purpose flour
- Butter or shortening
- Water
- Salt
These simple ingredients create a dough that you can either bake for a lighter result or fry for a crispier texture. While store-bought dough can be used for convenience, making your own gives the empanadas a more authentic taste and texture. If you’d like to learn how to perfect savory dough, you can follow our step-by-step guide.
2. Chicken Filling
The chicken filling is the heart of every empanada. You can either use store-bought rotisserie chicken or cook your own chicken breasts at home. To bring out the best flavor in the chicken, season it with:
- Onions
- Garlic
- Bell peppers
- Cumin
- Paprika
These ingredients add layers of flavor and make the filling more exciting. Adding a bit of chicken broth or tomato sauce helps keep the filling moist. For more tips on preparing chicken, check out our guide on baking chicken legs.
3. Vegetables and Flavorings
Vegetables give your empanada filling both flavor and texture. Popular vegetables used in chicken empanadas include:
- Bell peppers, which add sweetness and color
- Onions, which form a flavorful base
- Garlic, which deepens the savory taste
To boost the flavors even further, you can use spices such as cumin and paprika. If you enjoy heat, adding green chiles or jalapeños can give your filling a spicy kick. These combinations of vegetables and spices work together to create a flavorful, well-balanced filling.
4. Cheese (Optional)
Cheese isn’t a must in all chicken empanadas, but many people love the creaminess it adds. Common cheese choices include:
- Monterey Jack
- Cheddar
- Queso fresco
As the cheese melts, it blends perfectly with the chicken and vegetables, creating a rich, gooey filling. You can add more or less cheese depending on how creamy you want your empanadas to be.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Chicken Empanadas
Now that you know the main ingredients, it’s time to learn how to make chicken empanadas at home. Whether you prefer baking or frying them, this easy step-by-step guide will help you achieve great results.
1. Making Empanada Dough from Scratch
Making your own dough gives you more control over its texture and taste. Here’s a simple recipe:
- In a large bowl, mix 2 ¾ cups of flour and 1 teaspoon of salt.
- Cut in 8 tablespoons of cold butter and 8 tablespoons of shortening until the mixture resembles crumbs.
- Slowly add ⅔ cup of ice-cold water while stirring until the dough comes together.
- Divide the dough into two disks, wrap them in plastic, and refrigerate for at least two hours.
Chilling the dough is important because it prevents the dough from becoming too sticky when rolling it out.
2. Preparing the Chicken Filling
For the filling, you’ll need 2 cups of shredded chicken. In a skillet, sauté onions, bell peppers, and garlic until softened. Then, add the shredded chicken and season with cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. If the mixture seems dry, stir in a bit of chicken broth or tomato sauce to keep it moist.
This filling is flavorful and versatile. Feel free to adjust the amount of spices or vegetables to your liking. You can also experiment by adding different ingredients, like jalapeños for heat or cheese for creaminess.
3. Filling and Folding the Empanadas
Once your dough has chilled, roll it out to about ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface. Use a round cutter to make dough circles. Each circle should be large enough to hold the filling. Place 1-2 tablespoons of chicken filling in the center of each circle, fold the dough over, and press the edges to seal. You can crimp the edges with a fork or braid them for a decorative finish.
Sealing the empanadas correctly ensures that none of the filling leaks out during cooking.
4. Baking vs. Frying Empanadas
- Baking: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Brush the empanadas with an egg wash to help them turn golden brown, then bake for 20-25 minutes until they are crisp and golden.
- Frying: Heat oil in a deep pan and fry the empanadas in batches for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are golden and crispy.
Both methods yield tasty results, but baking offers a lighter, flakier texture, while frying delivers a crispier bite.
Popular Variations of Chicken Empanadas
Once you’ve mastered the basic chicken empanada recipe, you can start experimenting with different variations to suit your tastes. Here are a few ideas:
1. Spicy Chicken Empanadas
If you enjoy a bit of spice, adding jalapeños or hot sauce to the filling is an easy way to boost the heat. You can also increase the amount of cumin and paprika to add even more flavor.
2. Extra Cheesy Empanadas
For those who love cheese, consider doubling the amount in the filling. You can use Monterey Jack, cheddar, or a combination of both to make your empanadas extra creamy and rich.
3. Gluten-Free Chicken Empanadas
If you are gluten-sensitive, you can still enjoy empanadas by using a gluten-free flour blend instead of regular flour. Be sure to adjust the water content slightly to ensure the dough has the right consistency.
Serving Suggestions for Chicken Empanadas
Chicken empanadas are delicious on their own, but they can be even better when paired with tasty sides or dips. Here are a few suggestions to elevate your meal:
- Salsa or guacamole: These dips add freshness and a tangy contrast to the rich filling.
- Rice and beans: A classic side that turns empanadas into a hearty meal.
- For dessert, try a mixed berry salad. Not only do berries provide a sweet contrast to the savory empanadas, but they also offer plenty of health benefits, as noted in this Healthline article.
FAQs
What are chicken empanadas made of?
- Chicken empanadas are made from dough filled with shredded chicken, vegetables, and sometimes cheese or spices.
Are chicken empanadas healthy?
- Chicken empanadas can be healthier if baked instead of fried. Using lean chicken and reducing the amount of cheese also helps lower the fat content.
Can chicken empanadas be frozen?
- Absolutely! You can freeze uncooked empanadas by placing them on a baking sheet until solid. After that, store them in a freezer-safe bag. When ready to cook, bake them directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Nutritional Information
A typical chicken empanada contains:
- Calories: 250-300
- Protein: 12-15g
- Carbohydrates: 20-25g
- Fat: 10-15g
For a healthier option, you can bake your empanadas instead of frying them. If you’d like more detailed nutritional information, take a look at the USDA’s food database.
Conclusion
Chicken empanadas are a delicious and versatile dish that you can easily adjust to suit your taste. Whether you prefer to bake them for a lighter option or fry them for a crispy treat, these savory pastries are sure to be a hit. You can also experiment with different fillings and spices to make them your own. If you’re looking for more ways to cook with chicken, be sure to check out our guide on shredded chicken in an Instant Pot.
Enjoy your homemade chicken empanadas, and don’t forget to share them with friends and family!