Argentinian-Style Baked Chicken Empanadas

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Have you ever tried an empanada?  These flavorful savory pastries are a special treat that you need to make.  These Argentinian-style baked chicken empanadas can be made ahead or frozen, so they'll be ready anytime!

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Questions

Are empanadas from Mexico?

Empanadas (pronounced emp-ah-NAD-ahs) are actually from Galicia, a region in northwestern Spain.  Their name comes from the Spanish verb empanar, which means "to wrap in bread."  The rope-like crimped edge is called the repulge.

What are empanadas filled with?

They can be filled with almost anything.  Traditionally, they are stuffed with a savory filling such as beef, chicken, fish, or cheese.  Nowadays, people also make sweet empanadas filled with fruit.

Can empanadas be baked?

Absolutely!  Empanadas can be deep-fried or baked--whichever you prefer.  These ones are baked, which is easier and healthier.

How to Make

Prep all the ingredients by shredding the chicken, chopping the onions and roasted red peppers, and mincing the garlic.

Cook the onions until soft, then add the garlic and cook for another minute.

Stir in the roasted red peppers, tomato paste, and spices.

Add the chicken broth, bring to a boil, and let it cook until almost all the liquid has evaporated.

Stir in 2 tablespoons of lime juice and the shredded chicken and set aside to cool.

Divide the empanada dough into 16 pieces and roll them out into six-inch circles.

Place ⅛ cup of filling in each empanada and brush the edges halfway around with beaten egg.

Fold the dough over and pinch the edges tightly to seal.

Crimp the edges with a fork or with your fingers (see the recipe card below for instructions).

Brush each empanada with beaten egg and cut two small vent holes in the top.

Bake at 375 F for 35-40 minutes, until golden, then let them cool on a wire rack.

Are these baked chicken empanadas calling your name?  Crisp golden pastry and meaty goodness is just too good to pass up.

Pro Tips

• Taste the cooked filling and adjust the seasonings as desired; make it spicy if you want!
• You can substitute all-purpose flour for the bread flour; just realize that the dough won't be as strong and chewy.  Bread flour contains more gluten than all-purpose, and strengthens the dough.
• Make the filling and dough up to 3 days ahead of time.
• Freeze unbaked empanadas on cookie sheets, then transfer to a zip-top freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Bake the frozen ones straight from the freezer--no need to defrost.

Recommended Tools

• Kitchen Scale: measuring ingredients accurately is faster and easier with a good scale.
• Prep Bowls: prep the ingredients ahead of time and keep them in these pretty bowls.
• Emeril Skillet: one of our all-time favorite kitchen pans that we've used for years.
• Measuring Cup: this durable measuring cup has a convenient pouring spout.

Other Chicken Pie Recipes

• Chicken, Bacon, and Apricot Pies
• Chicken and Mushroom Pie
• Chicken and Leek Pie

The pleasure of a 5-star review for this recipe would be greatly appreciated.

Recipe

Argentinian-Style Chicken Empanadas

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5 from 1 reviews

• Author: Emma
• Prep Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 16 empanadas 1x

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Description

This easy recipe for Argentinian-style baked chicken empanadas will show you how to make savory hand pies that the whole family will love.  Your kids will enjoy this delicious South American comfort food at lunch or dinner.  Plus, you can make it ahead or freeze for later!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Empanada Filling

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (30 ml)
• 3 ⅓ cups yellow onions, chopped (450g)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (8g)
• 1 cup roasted red peppers, drained and chopped (210g)
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste (50g)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (473 ml)
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (30 ml)
• 3 cups shredded chicken (from 2 large poached chicken breasts; 394g)

For the Empanada Dough

• 4 cups bread flour (480g)
• ¾ cup lard (120g)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (28g)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 cup cold water (236 ml)

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Instructions

Making the Empanada Dough (10 minutes + 1 hour chilling)

1. Place the bread flour, lard, and butter in a medium mixing bowl.  Rub the fats into the flour by pinching them together and fluffing the mixture with your hands until evenly blended.
2. Add the salt, sugar, and half of the water and stir with your fingers.  Gradually add more water as needed to create a moist, but not sticky, dough.  Make sure all the flour is picked up from the bowl.
3. Knead the dough several times to finish blending the ingredients together.
4. Split the dough in half, shape into discs, and wrap tightly with plastic wrap.  Chill in the fridge for 1 hour.

Making the Empanada Filling (30 minutes + 10 minutes cooking)

1. Chop the onions and red peppers and mince the garlic.
2. Heat the olive oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat, then add the onions and cook until soft.  Add the garlic and cook for a minute more, until fragrant.
3. Stir in the roasted red peppers, tomato paste, and spices until well mixed.
4. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil over medium heat.  Cook uncovered for 10-15 minutes, until most of the liquid is gone.
5. Stir in the lime juice and shredded chicken and remove from the heat.  Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.

Shaping the Empanadas (25 minutes + 35 minutes baking)

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F.  Line two 11 by 17-inch cookie sheets with parchment paper.  Beat an egg in a small bowl until well blended.
2. Divide each disc of dough into eight pieces.  Roll each piece of dough into a ball, then roll it into a six-inch circle with a rolling pin.
3. Place ⅛ cup of the filling in the center of the circle.  Brush the edge of the dough halfway around with beaten egg, then fold the dough over to create a semicircle.  Press the edges firmly to seal.
4. Crimp the edges with a fork or with a rope pattern.  To make the rope pattern, place your left index finger at one end of the empanada.  Using your other hand, grasp the dough right beside your index finger and pull it up.  Then, place your left index finger on the pulled-up dough and repeat.  Pinch off any extra dough at the other end.  You can use this to make an extra empanada.
5. Place eight empanadas on each tray, then brush them with beaten egg and cut two small vent holes in the top with a knife.
6. Bake them at 375 F for 35-40 minutes, until golden brown.  Rotate the trays halfway through for a more even bake.  Let them cool on wire racks for 20 minutes before serving.

Notes

• Both the empanada filling and dough can be made up to 3 days ahead.
• Feel free to add extra spiciness to the filling if you want!
• You can substitute all-purpose flour for the bread flour in the pastry, but realize that you won't have the same result.
• Unbaked empanadas can be frozen on cookie sheets, then placed in zip-top freezer bags and frozen for up to 3 months.  Bake them right from frozen.
• Eat any extra filling in a tortilla, or use it to make another batch of empanadas.

• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baked
• Cuisine: Argentinian

Keywords: baked, easy