Cooking

Chicken Empanada

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Chicken Empanadas are a simple yet filling and delicious turnover pastry, and despite their compact half moon size are meals in themselves. No pretense necessary –– wonderful and juicy, empanadas are the no-frill snack everyone will love.

You can fill empanadas up with any type of meat you prefer, whether it’s chicken, beef, or pork you’re after. No matter your filling, combined with the flaky, buttery crust, empanadas are always a pleasure to enjoy with anyone, any time.

This Chicken Empanada Recipe is quick and easy to follow. I choose to bake my empanadas here for a flakier crust, but you may also opt to fry them if you want them crispier. Regardless, you’ll have a delicious handheld snack at your table in no time!

Ingredients we will need to make the yummiest Chicken Empanada:

Here’s a sneak peek into the components that go into creating a thick, meaty Chicken Empanada! I will also lend a couple of tips in selecting your ingredients so that everything that goes into your dish is fresh and of the best quality.

Meat: Chicken breast

When it comes to the meat component for your filling, you may be tempted to go for the cuts that are known to be more flavorful. Drumsticks and thigh parts, anyone? But this cut is not famous for nothing. It is the most ideal part if you want to gain the most health benefits from your chicken. It has tons of protein, and contains a great deal of vitamin A, C and D. Plus, because it naturally has a milder flavor, it collaborates perfectly with the rest of our ingredients for filling.

As for picking out your chicken breast, one of the first things you can look at is the fat. This probably has less fat than other cuts, but you should be sure to identify that the color of it is a deep sort of yellow or white. Fat that is on the grayer side is an indicator that it is not as fresh as you would want it to be.

Of course, the color of the rest of the chicken should also be pink, and not gray. If you are able to touch the chicken, it would also be ideal to go for the one that is firm, and does not feel bloated or injected with water. This way, you know you are getting as much chicken as you bargained for.

Vegetables: Onion, garlic, potato, carrot

Starting with our onions, what you should look out for are any bruises or marks. It would be best to go for the one that is clear of these, and at the same time, is a bit heavier. And definitely make sure you have a nice papery white and thin skin for the onions you choose. And also keep this in a place that is cool and dry, but also has enough air because ventilation is necessary for this ingredient.

Like onions, the best garlic would be firm when squeezed. Usually, a softer garlic would be a sign of sickness for the vegetable. And if possible, it would be ideal to smell the garlic. If it has a noticeably strong smell, you should definitely go for another garlic.

Potatoes also should not be on the softer side. Also keep an eye out for discoloration or bruises. But should you spot any sprouts or marks as such, you can take them out carefully with a knife, and the rest should be alright to work with.

Our carrots should be nice and vibrant with their classic orange color. But other varieties can also come in different colors like purple or red. And a look at the leaves will also help identify freshness as bright leaves will mean they are not that old. The same rule goes for this as with our previous vegetables. You should go for a firm carrot that does not have cracks.

Seasonings: Salt, ground black pepper, chicken cube

Shopping for our spices is a pretty straightforward process as these often come in uniform packaging, and don’t vary as much as the rest of our ingredients. But what about keeping them in good condition in our kitchen?

When it comes to storing salt, it is important to keep them inside an airtight container. But you can also use salt shakers for this, but only for salt that you will be consuming quicker. For long-term storage, it is best to try something airtight. Now if your salt tends to get damp, or start clumping together, there are ways to keep this dry. You could add certain ingredients in your container, such as toothpicks and soda crackers.

Likewise, an airtight container with tightly shut lids would be the way to go for your ground black pepper. And if you keep these at room temperature, you can expect the ingredient to last for about three years. And then for the chicken cube, I would advise letting this sit inside your fridge. Refrigerating can help keep this fresh for longer.

Sweetener: Sugar

We also need a sprinkle of sugar to give our filling a pleasantly subtle sweetness to complement the salty flavor. Similar to salt, I like to keep this in a sealed container in a dry place that is not too hot either.

Fruits: Green peas, Raisin

You may be thinking that since peas often come in groups, stored in a plastic bag at the market, you don’t have to think about how to choose the right batch. But selecting your green peas can definitely help in ensuring that you achieve the best texture for your filling. And so the first thing you can take note of is size. Should you like sweeter peas, you can pick those that are tinier. It is also better to pick up fuller pea pods that are not bulging. Steer away from those that look dried, and opt for the ones that are vibrantly green.

As for raisins, these can give off a pungent, sour smell when they are not good for eating. And so it would be helpful to take a whiff before you purchase them. Also watch out for signs of discoloration as this can mean less flavorful raisins.

Essential components for the cooking process: Cooking oil, flour, water, egg, butter, baking powder

What is this Empanada dish without a couple of these basic ingredients you likely already have at home? These ingredients are pretty standard, but for eggs, you should remember a couple of things. First on the list is the shell of your egg, which, as you may already be aware of, is prone to cracks. Don’t forget to take that second look at your eggs to ensure these are not cracked, and that they are stored in a secure egg tray that won’t cause damage on the ride home.

Also check the smell of the egg. You will definitely know if what you’re buying is rotten should it have that unpleasant smell. Now once you’ve bought your eggs, you can also conduct another test on your own to identify their freshness. Take the egg, and carefully place it in a bowl of water. If it sinks, that’s great news for you as this often means the egg is fresh.

Now that you’ve got the overview of what ingredients you’re working with, it’s time to put on your apron, and get to prepping and cooking!

How to make Chicken Empanada:

Step 1: Preparation

Like in every recipe, make sure to prepare all your ingredients beforehand to save time. For this chicken empanada recipe, I use 1 ½ lbs of boneless chicken breast. Before cooking, I cut the chicken into cubes. I also dice my potatoes and carrots during preparation. This chicken empanada recipe calls for 1 cup of each. Lastly, the onion and garlic need prep too. We’ll only need one of each, and the onion doesn’t have to be too big –– just medium sized will do. After mincing both of them, you’re ready to start cooking!

There are two equally important parts to cooking Chicken Empanada. One is making the flavorful, mouthwatering filling, and the other is the flaky dough it comes wrapped in.

Step 2: The Filling

The first step to making Chicken Empanada is making the filling. An empanada is nothing without its hearty, delicious, savory insides. Pour 2 tablespoons of cooking oil into a pan and saute your minced garlic and onion in it. Add the chicken you’ve cut now, too.

Once you’ve been cooking the chicken for about 5 minutes –– or once it’s turned a nice light brown, whichever comes first –– add in some water and half a piece of chicken cube. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Afterwards, put in the carrots and potatoes you prepared beforehand. Let the pan simmer again, but now for only half the time. Lastly, add in your 1 cup of green peas, ¼ cup of raisins, and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Let it simmer once more.

Sprinkle ½ teaspoon of salt and pepper over your filling after having let it cook. Take a little bite of your filling to see if it’s to your satisfaction. Once it is, turn off the heat, drain the excess liquid, and set it aside for now.

Step 3: The Dough

Now it’s time to make the dough! We start doing this by combining all the dry ingredients in one mixing bowl. These ingredients include: 3 cups of flour, 4 tablespoons of sugar, half a teaspoon of baking powder, and half a teaspoon of salt. Mix these all together in one bowl using a wire whisk.

Cut your 1 cup of butter into small, thin pieces. The butter you’re using should be cold and solidified. Once you’ve cut them, toss them into the mixing bowl. Add water in gradually (about 6 tablespoons will do) and mix the ingredients well. A dough should form a while after. If you have it onhand, a pastry blender can help make the process even easier!

When the dough has been formed, it’s now time to divide it into individual pieces. To do this, grab a piece from your mixture and roll it in your hand, forming a round, ball-like shape. Use up all the dough in this way, and set it aside somewhere cold for about 20 minutes.

After the 20 minutes, take your spherical dough out and prepare to flatten it. Use a rolling pin to flatten your round dough pieces, while still maintaining its circular shape. Without a rolling pin, you can also use your palm to press the dough up against a flat surface.

And now –– it’s finally time to fully assemble your empanadas!

Step 4: The Empanada

Take your filling out from where you’d set it aside prior. Using a spoon, arrange about a quarter to half a cup of filling at the middle of the flattened dough. Fold the dough so the opposite ends meet, and it forms something like a half moon in shape. Press the edges together and seal it well.

When you’ve consumed all the filling and folded up all the dough, prepare 1 egg by cracking it and separating the white from the yolk. You’ll only need the egg whites for this; beat them lightly, adding in water and mixing every so often. Afterwards, brush the egg wash over your folded empanadas for a glaze.

Pre-heat your oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (roughly 200 degrees Celsius) for about 10 minutes. During this time, prepare your baking tray by either putting wax paper atop it or greasing it well. Arrange the half moon doughs on the tray before putting them in the oven. Let them bake for about 25 minutes.

When the 25 minutes are up, remove them from the oven –– and voila! Your delicious chicken empanadas are ready to be served, piping hot and delicious. Share it with your loved ones and enjoy! This serves six people perfectly, and so you can count on leftovers if you want to eat with a smaller group.

Let us know what you think of this Chicken Empanada recipe in the comments below! And if you liked this dish, you are going to love the rest of these empanada varieties. Why not take a look at more of these recipes for delicious pastry turnovers?

More kinds of Empanada to try out:

Beef Empanada

Want something a bit juicier and packed with beautiful savory flavor? Chicken definitely has its own charms, but beef is known to be richer and more flavorful. I would suggest whipping up your own Beef Empanada with all the right flavors in yellow onions, paprika, beef broth and more. The beginner cook would also enjoy making this as it is easy to create. And of course, it definitely would be satisfying to watch yourself perfect the process of making the dough.

Pork Empanada

There is something so satisfying about biting into the deliciously meaty pockets that are empanadas. But I would also factor in the presentation of that savory outer layer in the dish’s overall appeal. This is why for my Pork Empanada recipe, I also added some eggwash to the mix. Not only does this make our empanada glossier, but it definitely makes it more appetizing. For this variation, you can also expect a uniquely salty and tangy flavor in our Worcestershire sauce. Get to know more of the ingredients you will need by clicking on the link above!

And this is not exactly an empanada, but it is very similar, and would be a perfect dish to add to your repertoire as it makes for a perfectly delicious snack that you can also eat on the go!

Victoria’s Cheezy Pizza Pocket

Oftentimes, I end up craving some pizza, but also get a bit discouraged to make it because it takes quite a bit of work. If, like me, you would want an easier, but also altogether delicious alternative, you should try Victoria’s Cheezy Pizza Pocket! It was an entry to Panlasang Pinoy’s Recipe Contest, and it has so many delicious pizza flavors in its filling. We’ve got pineapple chunks, onions, mozzarella cheese, bacon and more. This also takes less than an hour to make, and so you won’t have to stress too much in allotting time to fulfill your pizza cravings.

Want to take a look at more delightful recipes like this Chicken Empanada? Panlasang Pinoy has a lot more for you— just scroll through the website!

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