**Embark on a Culinary Journey with Amazing Chicken Empanadas: A Symphony of Flavors and Textures**
Indulge in the tantalizing world of chicken empanadas, where crispy, golden pockets of dough envelop a savory symphony of succulent chicken, aromatic spices, and a medley of delectable fillings. These handheld delights, originating from Latin America, have captured the hearts and taste buds of food enthusiasts worldwide. With diverse recipes ranging from traditional to innovative variations, chicken empanadas offer a culinary adventure like no other. Discover the secrets behind these delectable pastries, master the art of empanada making, and embark on a journey of flavors that will leave you craving more.
AUTHENTIC CHICKEN EMPANADAS (EMPANADAS DE POLLO)
My husband and I returned recently from a wonderful trip to Puerto Rico. While there we fell in love with "empanadas de pollo" (chicken pies), that we found at roadside stands along Route 3. Here is a version we came up with once we returned--delicious!
Provided by NatalieC
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Caribbean
Time 1h10m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Mix flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda together in a large bowl. Add water and 1/4 cup vegetable oil; mix with an electric mixer until well combined and a dough begins to form, about 3 minutes. Remove dough and knead on a lightly floured surface for about 3 minutes. Wrap in plastic wrap and set aside for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shredded chicken and saute until heated through, about 2 minutes. Add onion, bell pepper, cilantro, olives, garlic, sazon seasoning, tomato paste, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables have softened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Divide empanada dough into 12 pieces and form each one into a 4-inch circle. Place about 2 tablespoons filling in the center of each circle, fold in half, and press down on the edges with a fork to seal.
- Heat 1 cup oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add empanadas, working in batches, and fry until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 280.4 calories, Carbohydrate 25.1 g, Cholesterol 29.5 mg, Fat 14 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 12.8 g, SaturatedFat 2.7 g, Sodium 859.9 mg, Sugar 0.6 g
CHICKEN EMPANADAS
I'm showing you how to make what is one of the world's greatest meat-filled pastries. Or, it can be, if you avoid the three most common mistakes: empanadas that are under-seasoned, under-filled, and under-cooked. But, if you use the following technique, you'll avoid all of those issues, no matter what kind of filling you use!
Provided by Chef John
Categories Empanada Recipes
Time 3h15m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- Pour olive oil into a saucepan; add onion, poblano, garlic, salt, pepper, chipotle, cumin, oregano, cayenne, and cooked chicken, pressing down as you go. Add currants.
- Place saucepan over high heat; cook until onions begin to soften slightly, about 3 minutes. Stir in diced tomatoes with green chiles. Pour in 1/3 cup water and mix to combine.
- Bring mixture to a simmer; reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquids are cooked down, 30 to 45 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Chill thoroughly before use, 1 to 2 hours.
- While filling simmers, combine flour, salt, and sugar for dough in a bowl with your hand. Grate in cold butter, pausing as needed to combine. Drizzle in beaten egg and water. Mix with a fork until it starts to form a shaggy dough.
- Use your hands to squeeze mixture into a lump of dough; transfer to a work surface and knead into a ball of dough, 10 to 15 seconds.
- Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, up to overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Unwrap chilled dough and transfer to a lightly floured work surface. Use a bench scraper to divide into 8 equal pieces.
- Roll each dough piece into an 8-inch circle.
- Drain any excess juice from filling. Top each dough circle with a rounded 1/2-cup measure of the chicken mixture. Sprinkle some pepper Jack cheese over top.
- Brush edges of each dough circle with a small amount of water to dampen; fold over and seal with fingertips, making sure to not trap in any pockets of air. Crimp using your fingertips or a fork.
- Combine beaten egg and 2 teaspoons water for egg wash. Transfer empanadas to the prepared baking sheet and brush over egg wash. Sprinkle with cayenne.
- Bake in the center of the preheated oven until browned and crispy on the edges, about 35 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 497.4 calories, Carbohydrate 43 g, Cholesterol 131.7 mg, Fat 26.4 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 22 g, SaturatedFat 13 g, Sodium 937 mg
CHICKEN EMPANADA WITH CHORIZO, RAISINS, AND OLIVES
Categories Chicken Fruit Olive Pork Poultry Appetizer Side Bake Sauté Dinner Raisin Sausage Gourmet Sugar Conscious Dairy Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield Makes 12 servings (as part of tapas buffet)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Make filling:
- Pat chicken dry and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown chicken, turning over once, about 6 minutes total, and transfer to a plate. Sauté onions, garlic, and bay leaves in fat remaining in skillet, stirring frequently, until onions are softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add chorizo and paprika and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add olives, raisins, wine, and broth and bring to a boil, stirring and scraping up any brown bits. Return chicken to skillet along with any juices accumulated on plate, then reduce heat to moderately low and simmer chicken, covered, turning over once, until tender, 25 to 30 minutes total.
- Transfer chicken to a clean plate. (Sauce in skillet should be the consistency of heavy cream; if it's not, briskly simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.) When chicken is cool enough to handle, discard skin and bones and coarsely chop meat. Stir chicken into sauce and discard bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper, then cool filling, uncovered, about 30 minutes.
- Form and bake empanada:
- Form dough into a ball, then wrap in oiled plastic wrap (oiled side in) and let stand at room temperature 30 minutes.
- Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 15- by 10-inch shallow baking pan (1 inch deep) with 1 tablespoon oil.
- Divide dough in half, then roll out 1 half (keep remaining dough covered with plastic wrap) on a floured surface with a floured rolling pin into a 15- by 10-inch rectangle and transfer to baking pan. Spread filling evenly over dough, leaving a 1-inch border, and moisten border with water. Roll out remaining dough in same manner, then arrange over filling and press edges together to seal. Roll edges in and press to form a decorative rim. Make a 1-inch hole (a steam vent) in center of empanada.
- Bake empanada 15 minutes, then brush crust with 3/4 tablespoon oil and bake until crust is golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes more. Remove from oven and brush empanada with remaining 3/4 tablespoon oil. Cool 10 minutes in pan on a rack, then slide empanada onto rack using a wide metal spatula and cool to warm.
- Cut empanada into squares and serve warm or at room temperature.
CHICKEN EMPANADAS
Tired of sandwiches for lunch? Try these little pies instead. They freeze well and pack in lunch sacks well. Make them smaller for appetizers.
Provided by Miss Annie
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 38m
Yield 8-9 empanadas, (approx.)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Mix together first 8 ingredients, and refrigerate until ready to assemble empanadas.
- On a floured surface, roll out pie shells and cut into 4-inch circles (use all the pie dough by re-rolling scraps).
- Place approximately 2 tablespoons of chicken mixture in center of dough circles.
- Fold each circle in half and crimp edges with a fork.
- Place on a baking sheet and brush tops with egg yolks.
- Sprinkle top with mixed salt and chili powder.
- Bake 12-13 minutes at 400F degrees.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
- Freezes well.
Tips:
- Prep your ingredients: Before you start cooking, make sure all your ingredients are prepped and measured. This will help you stay organized and ensure that your empanadas come out perfectly.
- Use a sharp knife: A sharp knife will make it easier to cut your chicken and vegetables into uniform pieces. This will help them cook evenly and ensure that your empanadas have a consistent texture.
- Don't overcook the chicken: Chicken can easily become dry and tough if it's overcooked. Cook it until it's just cooked through, or to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Use a flavorful cheese: The cheese you use in your empanadas will make a big difference in the overall flavor. Choose a cheese that melts well and has a strong flavor, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack.
- Don't overcrowd the pan: When you're frying your empanadas, don't overcrowd the pan. This will cause them to cook unevenly and can make them soggy.
- Serve immediately: Empanadas are best served immediately after they're cooked. This will ensure that they're crispy and flavorful.
Conclusion:
These chicken empanadas are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or main course. They're perfect for parties, potlucks, or a quick weeknight meal. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a dish that the whole family will love. So next time you're looking for a new recipe to try, give these chicken empanadas a try. You won't be disappointed!
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