Chicken Empanadas Recipe (Baked In the Oven) - The Anthony Kitchen (2024)

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While you could probably cover just about anything in a buttery pastry crust and call it a recipe win, when it comes to the savory side of the spectrum, the gold belongs to the empanada alone. Full-flavored, handheld, and absolutely delicious, baked Chicken Empanadas with a cheesy, green chile filling are perfect for any and every occasion!

The filling comes together with a simple mix of juicy, shredded chicken, green chiles, and Monterey Jack cheese. Fold up the dough (homemade or store-bought) and bake until beautifully puffed and golden brown!

Chicken Empanadas Recipe (Baked In the Oven) - The Anthony Kitchen (1)

Chicken Empanadas make for an excellent party appetizer or a seriously satisfying snack. Freeze and reheat them for quick-fix lunches or make-ahead dinners! If you love empanadas, bookmark these cheesy, taco-filled Beef Empanadas for next time!

HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN EMPANADAS

  1. Prep the Chicken - Cut the chicken breasts into slices and then shred it.
  2. Make the Filling - To make the filling, combine the shredded chicken, canned chiles, and grated cheese in a bowl, along with the cumin and salt. Stir to combine and set aside.
  3. Make the Egg Wash - In a small bowl, whisk together an egg and water and set it aside.
  4. Roll Out the Dough - Roll out the dough so that it is just over a ¼" in thickness. Then, use a round biscuit cutter to cut out circles. Then, roll out each circle so that it is just under a ¼" thick. Piece together any dough scraps and repeat, if needed.
  5. Add Filling - Brush the edges of the little circles with the egg wash. This will help to seal in the filling. Place a generous tablespoon of filling in the center of the dough round. Do not overfill.
  6. Seal - Bring the edges of the dough upward toward the center and pinch to seal. Lay the empanada on its side, and either braid over the edges or crimp with a fork to enclose.
  7. Bake - Brush the top of the Chicken Empanadas with the egg wash and transfer them to a baking sheet lined with either parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Bake for about 20 minutes at 400°F.

NOTE: If you are making the dough from scratch, that should be the first thing you do! You will need to plan ahead by a couple of hours as the dough will need to time chill before you can roll it out.

Chicken Empanadas Recipe (Baked In the Oven) - The Anthony Kitchen (2)

INGREDIENTS

  • Cooked and Shredded Chicken
  • Monterey Jack Cheese
  • Canned Green Chiles
  • Ground Cumin
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Dough

The filling for these Chicken Empanadas is extremely easy to make, consisting of chicken, cheese, chiles, ground cumin, salt, and pepper.

As for the dough, you have a few options! If you are in a pinch for time, you can use store-bought pie crust or even puff pastry dough! But, our number one choice for wrapping up any empanada is our homemade empanada dough recipe!

Chicken Empanadas Recipe (Baked In the Oven) - The Anthony Kitchen (3)

CHICKEN EMPANADA FILLING

As far as the chicken goes, you can buy chicken breasts and bake them yourself or use store-bought chicken.

We are particularly partial to this recipe for Oven-Baked Chicken Breasts -- it's a very straight-forward recipe that always results in tender, juicy chicken.However, if you have leftover chicken already on hand, these empanadas are a great way to put those leftovers to work for you. And, of course, you could also use store-bought rotisserie chicken! You will need about 2 cups of shredded chicken for this recipe.

Monterey Jack cheese is mild enough in flavor to let the green chiles shine and is an exceptional melting cheese. Freshly grated cheese is always best, but if you are in a pinch for time, you can use a good-quality pre-shredded cheese.

Chicken Empanadas Recipe (Baked In the Oven) - The Anthony Kitchen (4)

THE EMPANADA DOUGH

If you've ever made a homemade pie crust -- surprise! You have simultaneously made empanada dough! The two are pretty much identical in both the way they come together and their ingredient list.

Chicken Empanadas Recipe (Baked In the Oven) - The Anthony Kitchen (5)

For this Homemade Empanada Dough, you will need:

  • Butter and Shortening
  • All-Purpose Flour
  • Salt
  • Ice-Cold Water

The method you'll find in the recipe card below uses a food processor. If you do not have a food processor and still want to make this dough, see this recipe for Flaky Pie Crust and use that instead!

Chicken Empanadas Recipe (Baked In the Oven) - The Anthony Kitchen (6)

HOW TO STORE CHICKEN EMPANADAS

Once your Chicken Empanadas have baked and cooled, you have three options: Consume right away, refrigerate, or freeze! You can keep Beef Empanadas in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To store them, place in a sealed, airtight container or a gallon-sized ziplock bag.

YOU CAN FREEZE THEM!

Empanadas freeze very well, and reheat beautifully! To make them in advance, allow them to cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe, airtight container (without too much wiggle room) and seal, or store them in a freezer-safe, gallon-sized ziplock bag and place in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

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4.25 from 24 votes

Chicken Empanadas Recipe (Baked In the Oven) - The Anthony Kitchen (7)

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Chicken Empanadas

An easy recipe for baked Chicken Empanadas with a golden crust and a flavorful filling of shredded chicken, canned green chiles, and Monterey Jack cheese.

Course:Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine:Mexican

Keyword:Chicken Empanadas

Servings: 14

Calories: 207 kcal

Author: Kelly Anthony

Ingredients

  • 2store-bought pie crusts or 2 dough rounds of homemade Empanada dough
  • 1poundcooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 ¼cupfreshly grated Monterey Jack cheese
  • 2(4.5-ounce) cansdiced green chiles
  • 1 ½teaspoonground cumin
  • ¾teaspoonKosher salt
  • Generous pinch black pepper
  • 1large egg
  • 1tablespoon water

Instructions

  1. Slice the cooked chicken breasts, cutting against the grain, into strips about 1" thick. Then, shred each strip into bite-sized pieces and transfer to a mixing bowl.

  2. Add the cheese, green chiles, cumin, salt, and pepper and stir to combine.

  3. Preheat the oven to 400° and have ready 2 baking sheets lined with either parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Prepare the egg wash by whisking together the egg and the water. Set aside until ready to use.

  4. Working with one at a time, roll out the dough so that it is just over a ¼" thick. Use a round biscuit/cookie cutter (about 2 ½" in diameter) and cut out rounds of dough. Roll each round out until it is about 3" in diameter.

  5. Dip your finger in the egg wash and run it along the perimeter of empanada dough round and add a generous tablespoon of filling to the center.

  6. Gently bring the edges of empanada upward to meet in the middle, and pinch firmly to seal. Fold the edges over and decoratively crimp with a fork, if desired. Repeat for each empanada.

  7. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet, and brush lightly with the egg wash. Bake for 20-22 minutes, until or until golden. Allow to cool slightly, serve and enjoy.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

If you are making the Empanada Dough from scratch, you'll need to add 10-15 minutes to the prep time and allow for two hours of chill time.

Makes 12-14 Chicken Empanadas.

Nutrition Facts

Chicken Empanadas

Amount Per Serving

Calories 207Calories from Fat 99

% Daily Value*

Fat 11g17%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Cholesterol 48mg16%

Sodium 307mg13%

Potassium 123mg4%

Carbohydrates 12g4%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 14g28%

Vitamin A 101IU2%

Calcium 88mg9%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Chicken Empanadas Recipe (Baked In the Oven) - The Anthony Kitchen (8)

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Homemade Empanada Dough

Prep Time

10 mins

Chill Time

2 hrs

Total Time

10 mins

A flaky, buttery Empanada Dough that is easy to make and perfect for enclosing any empanada filling.

Course:Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine:Mexican

Keyword:Empanada Dough

Servings: 14

Calories: 211 kcal

Author: Kelly Anthony

Ingredients

  • 8tablespoonscold unsalted butter cut into tiny cubes
  • 8tablespoonscold shortening cut into tiny cubes
  • 2 ¾cupsall-purpose flour
  • 1teaspoonfine sea salt
  • cupof ice-cold water

Instructions

  1. Add flour and salt to a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse until evenly incorporated.

  2. Add the butter and shortening cubes, a few pieces at a time with the motor running, until all fats are incorporated and pea-sized clumps begin to form. Slowly drizzle in a ½ cup of water, pulsing all the while.

  3. Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl and knead until the mixture comes together. (If you do not have a food processor, use a pastry blender and a large mixing bowl to cut in the fats, and a sturdy wooden spoon to stir in the water.)

  4. Cut the dough ball in half using a knife or a pastry cutter, and form into two flattened round disks. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until chilled through, at least 2 hours.

Recipe Notes

Makes enough for about 14 empanadas.

Nutrition Facts

Homemade Empanada Dough

Amount Per Serving

Calories 211Calories from Fat 126

% Daily Value*

Fat 14g22%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Cholesterol 17mg6%

Sodium 167mg7%

Potassium 26mg1%

Carbohydrates 18g6%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 200IU4%

Calcium 6mg1%

Iron 1.1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Chicken Empanadas Recipe (Baked In the Oven) - The Anthony Kitchen (9)

Chicken Empanadas Recipe (Baked In the Oven) - The Anthony Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to fry or bake empanadas? ›

Both cooking methods produce delicious empanadas. If you want a healthier merienda, bake them in the oven. If you're working with less time, frying them is the way to go. Try both and ask your loved ones to vote on their favorite.

How long do baked empanadas last? ›

Cooked empanadas can be kept in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, bake them at 400 F for about 8 minutes. Microwave ovens are not recommended, but you won't be the first one if you try it.

Where in the world are the meat filled pastries known as empanadas most likely to be consumed? ›

An empanada is a type of baked or fried turnover consisting of pastry and filling, common in Spain, other Southern European countries, Latin American countries, and the Philippines.

Can you bake Goya discos? ›

GOYA® Discos – Dough for Turnover Pastries for Baking come ready to be filled with your favorite ingredients, no matter if they're sweet or savory. 11.6 oz. Prepare flavorful homemade empanadas easily with convenient GOYA® Tapas Criollas – Dough for Turnover Pastries, which are perfect for baking or frying.

What is the best oil for frying empanadas? ›

Oil that is too cool will make your fried empanadas greasy and sad. I normally use canola oil for fried empanadas because it's flavorless and has a high smoke point. Lard tastes better, but you end up frying very close to lard's smoke point, which is tricky; when oil gets too hot it will taste acrid.

How do you keep empanadas crispy? ›

The best way to keep fried foods crispy? Just place them on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet. If you're frying multiple batches, throw the whole setup into a low oven to keep everything warm as you keep frying and adding to the rack.

What are three types of empanadas? ›

Argentine empanadas with beef, cheese, or chicken. Chilean empanadas with beef, cheese, or seafood. Mexican empanadas with spicy beef, potato, or pumpkin.

Are empanadas unhealthy? ›

While it's quite tasty, it isn't the healthiest meal you can consume. The great news is you can still get your empanada fix with all the flavor, but less calories, fat, and more nutrition with healthier versions.

How do you keep empanadas from drying out? ›

Layer as required, baking paper has to be between each layer of empanadas otherwise they're more likely to stick and that'll undo all your hard work. Cover the top layer with baking paper too to stop the pastry drying out.

What nationality makes the best empanadas? ›

Argentina has become world-famous for their empanadas which are widely available in Buenos Aires and across the country as fast-food options and restaurant staples. As with many recipes, that of empanadas was shared through generations and carried to many other nations.

What do Americans call empanadas? ›

The Many Names of Empanadas

For instance, Americans call them meat pies, and Jamaicans call them beef patties. At the same time, Indians call them samosas, and people in Latin America or Spain call them pastelillos or pastelitos. The glory of this dish is that there is not a right or wrong way to cook it.

Do people in Mexico eat empanadas? ›

Each region in Mexico has their own version of the empanada. Some regions use wheat flour, some use corn masa dough, some are deep fried some are baked.

Which is better baked or fried empanadas? ›

Baked empanadas are easier because you can bake a whole ton at once and certainly lighter without all that deep fried goodness but they don't have quite the same flavor as the fried version. So I leave it up to you! Don't skip the egg wash if baking because it is what helps give the empanadas their color!

Does empanada dough need baking powder? ›

For the empanada dough: Combine the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Cut in the lard with a pastry blender or 2 knives until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. In a separate bowl, beat the egg and then whisk in the stock.

What goes with empanadas? ›

Check our Mexican rice, Spanish rice, cilantro rice, yellow rice, salsa verde pinto beans, slow cooker black beans, refried beans, street corn salad (esquites from elote) and street corn skillet. Also, avocado salad and black bean and corn salad. We have fried plantains, too!

Why bake instead of fry? ›

The oxidised oils can cause many possible health problems including damage to the heart, kidney and lungs. Consuming oxidised oils can also lead to the increased risk of high blood pressure and atherosclerosis. As baking requires no addition of oils, it does not cause any oxidation.

Is baking better than deep frying? ›

Because ovens heat air, and air has no calories, baking in an oven does not add additional calories or fat to the foods you cook. This is why baking is a smarter option when working on controlling calorie, cholesterol or fat intake, as you are left only with the calories and fat from the foods in the pan.

Should you thaw empanadas before frying? ›

Pro tip: after buying our Minnesota frozen empanadas, you don't even need to thaw them before cooking them! Our packaging offers instructions for cooking our empanadas, but here's a more in-depth look at how to create a perfectly crisped and golden snack.

Are fried empanadas healthy? ›

Traditional empanada recipes typically are made from dough that is filled with beef and cheese, which is then fried. While it's quite tasty, it isn't the healthiest meal you can consume.

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