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

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

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.

5 MORE MEXICAN RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

  • Fajita Nachos
  • Flautas de Pollo
  • Steak Quesadillas
  • Crispy Potato Tacos
  • Pulled Pork Nachos

4.25 from 24 votes

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

Print

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.

0 from 0 votes

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

Print

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

Can empanadas be baked instead of fried? ›

How to bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush pastries with egg wash to achieve that shiny, golden color. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, then allow them to cool on a wire rack before serving. Pros: This is a healthier technique as it doesn't require oil.

Can you bake empanadas on aluminum foil? ›

BAKING INSTRUCTIONS FOR FROZEN RAW EMPANADAS

Directly from the freezer place the empanadas 1” apart on a cookie-pan with aluminum foil sprayed with oil or butter. Once you have preheated your oven for 15 minutes or more, bake the empanadas about 15 -20 minutes or until golden brown, depending on your oven.

How long do baked empanadas last? ›

If empanadas have been baked, shelf-life up to 7 days refrigerated (we don't recommend freezing them after baking.)

How long to heat empanadas in oven? ›

Reheating your Empanadas

Empanadas should be nice and hot empanadas, crispy and tasty as they were the night before. Preheat your oven to 300°F and place the empanadas inside to warm through for 10 minutes. Preheat your toaster oven to 300°F and place the empanadas inside to warm through for 10 minutes.

How do you bake instead of pan fry? ›

If you are keen to bake when a recipe says to fry, try the convection setting (if you've got one). As McGee explains, convection ovens increase the rate of heat transfer and reduce baking times.

What are the benefits of baking the empanadas rather than frying? ›

We love these baked empanadas for many reasons: Not only are they easier to cook, but they are also a healthier option. Bonus: you don't have to figure out what to do with a pot of hot frying oil when you're finished cooking. No matter how you choose to make empanadas, they are nothing if not versatile.

Can I bake Goya empanadas instead of frying? ›

These classic Argentinean empanadas are filled with chicken, chorizo, onions, garlic, paprika, chopped GOYA® Manzanilla Olives Stuffed with Minced Pimientos and raisins. And following the Argentinean tradition, they're baked instead of fried! Make them in a snap with GOYA® Empanada Dough-Puff Pastry for Baking.

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.

Can Goya discos be baked instead of fried? ›

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.

How long are chicken empanadas good for? ›

Bake empanadas until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Serve warm. Refrigerate leftovers either plastic wrapped or stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can also freeze cooked empanadas plastic wrapped in a resealable freezer bag or airtight container for up to 3 months.

How do you keep empanadas from getting soggy? ›

The best filling and the best dough won't do you any good if your empanadas won't stay closed when floating in fry oil, and won't matter much if your dough is oil-logged and soggy after frying. To prevent these culinary disasters, you need to seal your empanadas well and fry them at the right temperature.

What do you eat 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!

Can you bake store bought empanada dough? ›

Our line of ready-to-use flour dough discs are the #1 ingredient for preparing a wide variety of empanadas, a favorite in Latin America and around the world. Discover our extensive line of products in the freezer section, which includes discs that can be baked or fried, and come in a variety of sizes and colors.

What is a substitute for empanada dough? ›

What Can You Substitute for Empanada Dough? If you're looking for a shortcut, store-bought pie dough can be used to make empanadas. You may need to roll the dough out slightly thinner—it will produce a flakier result than typical empanada dough and is better for baking than frying.

Can I prepare empanadas ahead of time? ›

Whether making them tonight, or preparing for a future fiesta, empanadas can be made ahead of time. Baked empanadas can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Simply reheat them in the microwave or toaster oven when you are ready to eat. To freeze, lay the unbaked empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

What is the difference between baking and frying empanada dough? ›

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!

How do you cook frozen empanadas in the oven? ›

Cooking directions for frozen empanadas
  1. Pre-heat oven at 450°F.
  2. Place frozen empanadas on an oven-safe tray with non-stick. oil at a distance of one inch from each other .
  3. Place tray on center oven rack for best results.
  4. Bake 10 to 15 minutes until the dough turns golden brown.
  5. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
  6. Enjoy.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Mrs. Angelic Larkin

Last Updated:

Views: 6689

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Mrs. Angelic Larkin

Birthday: 1992-06-28

Address: Apt. 413 8275 Mueller Overpass, South Magnolia, IA 99527-6023

Phone: +6824704719725

Job: District Real-Estate Facilitator

Hobby: Letterboxing, Vacation, Poi, Homebrewing, Mountain biking, Slacklining, Cabaret

Introduction: My name is Mrs. Angelic Larkin, I am a cute, charming, funny, determined, inexpensive, joyous, cheerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.