Recipes

Oven-Baked Chicken Empanadas

Empanadas, traditional hand pies of Latin America, can be found with various fillings, from beef and cheese to fruits and sweets. In this particular recipe, we’re focusing on delicious chicken empanadas that are baked to perfection. These savory treats are filled with flavorful chicken, complemented by a hint of chili and other spices. Let’s get started!

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

  • 100 grams of butter
  • 8 grams of salt
  • 60 grams of white sugar
  • 125 ml of water
  • 400 grams of all-purpose flour

For the Filling:

  • 250 grams of chicken breast
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon of minced garlic
  • 50 grams of special chili or ground panca chili
  • Vegetable oil, for sautéing
  • Chicken broth, as needed
  • 1/2 yellow chili pepper, seeds and veins removed, finely chopped
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
  • Salt, to taste
  • Cumin, to taste
  • 2 egg yolks, for glazing

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, mix the sugar, salt, and water together. Set aside.
  2. In a separate bowl, begin by kneading the butter. Gradually add the sifted flour, and continue mixing by hand.
  3. Slowly incorporate the water mixture from step 1, continuing to mix until you achieve a dough that doesn’t stick to your fingers.
  4. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30-40 minutes.
  5. In a medium-sized pot over medium heat, add a bit of vegetable oil. Once heated, add the garlic, shredded pre-cooked chicken, salt, pepper, and cumin. Stir well.
  6. Incorporate the finely chopped yellow chili pepper. Next, add the special chili and finely diced onion. Sauté for a few minutes before adding just a touch of chicken broth.
  7. Cover and let it cook for around 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Remove from heat.
  8. Strain the chicken mixture to remove any excess liquid. This ensures that the empanadas don’t turn out soggy. Set aside.
  9. After removing the dough from the refrigerator, portion it into 60-gram pieces.
  10. Take one piece, sprinkle some flour on top, and roll it out with a rolling pin into an oval shape. Repeat for all pieces.
  11. Line the rolled-out dough pieces and place a slice of hard-boiled egg on each, followed by a spoonful of the chicken mixture.
  12. Fold the dough over the filling, pressing the edges to seal.
  13. Place the formed empanadas on a greased baking tray.
  14. Brush each empanada with the beaten egg yolk, giving them a golden finish.
  15. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for approximately 40 minutes.
  16. Once done, carefully remove from the oven and serve.

Enjoy your delightful oven-baked chicken empanadas, a real treat for any occasion!

Do you like this? Share inspiration with your friends!