Picture this: the warm, inviting aroma of sizzling bell peppers and garlic fills your kitchen, mingling with the subtle fragrance of fresh cilantro and savory chicken. As you pull a golden, flaky empanada from the oven, the crisp crust yields to a tender, flavorful filling that bursts with comforting spices. This Chicken Empanadas Recipe is like a warm hug on a plate—perfect for sharing with family or impressing friends at your next gathering. It’s an experience that feels both special and surprisingly easy to create.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Empanadas Recipe

Perfect Timing: From start to finish, this recipe takes just about 1 hour and 5 minutes—ideal for when you want delicious homemade goodness without spending all day in the kitchen.
Simple, Everyday Ingredients: Using pantry staples like onions, bell peppers, garlic, and shredded chicken, this recipe is a breeze to pull together without hunting for obscure items.

Great for Gathering: With 10 satisfying servings, these empanadas are just right for family dinners, potlucks, or weekend meal prep.
Show-Stopping Presentation: Beautifully golden and perfectly sealed, these empanadas look like you spent hours perfecting them—no one will guess how easy they truly are.
Customizable Filling: Love a bit more spice or extra herbs? This recipe welcomes your personal twists to make every bite uniquely yours.

Why This Chicken Empanadas Recipe Works

The magic behind this Chicken Empanadas Recipe is all about balancing flavors and textures. Starting with softened bell peppers and onions creates a sweet, fragrant base, while garlic and cilantro add fresh, aromatic notes that elevate the filling. The use of chicken bouillon and tomato paste amps up the savory depth, making every bite richly satisfying. And don’t underestimate the egg wash—that glossy, golden finish is what gives your empanadas that irresistible bakery look and a perfectly crisp crust. This recipe manages to combine simplicity with mouthwatering flavor in a truly winning way.

Baking tray filled with a dozen golden-brown empanadas arranged evenly on white parchment paper, each empanada showing crisp, crimped edges and a shiny, perfectly baked surface, the entire pan presented on a white marble background under natural lighting, capturing the full, uncut batch in a professional, appetizing food magazine style photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering straightforward, affordable ingredients is the first step to effortless, flavorful Chicken Empanadas. Each one plays a crucial role, from adding freshness to building layers of taste.

Extra virgin olive oil: Adds richness and helps soften the vegetables.

Minced onion: Provides a sweet and savory foundation.
Red and yellow or orange bell peppers: Give vibrant color and natural sweetness.
Garlic cloves: Bring warmth and aromatic intensity.
Freshly minced cilantro: Adds brightness and herbal freshness.
Shredded chicken breast: The hearty, protein-packed star of the filling.
Chicken bouillon: Infuses deeper savory flavor.
Tomato paste: Adds richness and a hint of acidity to balance the filling.

Onion and garlic powder: Boost the depth of flavor effortlessly.
Kosher salt: Enhances all the other flavors perfectly.
Empanada dough shells: Store-bought or homemade, rolled out to 6-inch rounds for easy filling.
Egg: Used to create a shiny golden crust by brushing the dough edges and tops.

Ingredient Substitutions & Tips

Shredded chicken breast: Use rotisserie chicken for convenience or turkey as a lean alternative.
Bell peppers: Swap with poblano or sweet mini peppers if you prefer a different flavor profile.
Chicken bouillon: Substitute with low-sodium chicken broth reduced down or vegetable broth for a lighter option.

Empanada dough shells: If you want to make homemade dough, seek recipes for flaky pastry dough to replicate that perfect golden crust.

👨‍🍳 Pro Tips for Perfect Results

Use fresh herbs: Fresh cilantro really brightens the filling—don’t substitute with dried if possible.
Don’t overfill the empanadas: Filling too much makes sealing tricky—you want a clean ¼ inch edge for a neat seal.

Brush the edges with egg wash well: This ensures the empanada crust sticks together and puffs beautifully.
Let the filling reduce: Simmer until most liquid evaporates but keep it slightly moist for juicy bites.
Use parchment paper: Prevents sticking and keeps your baking sheet clean for easy cleanup.

How to Make Chicken Empanadas Recipe

Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan

Preheat your oven to 375° F, placing the rack in the center for even heat distribution. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper to ensure your empanadas bake crisp without sticking or burning.

💡 Pro Tip: Parchment paper is your friend—it keeps those beautiful golden bottoms perfectly intact.

Step 2: Cook the Vegetables

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in the minced onion along with the finely chopped red and yellow (or orange) bell peppers. Cook gently until everything softens and releases their sweet aromas, about 5 minutes. Toss in the minced garlic and freshly chopped cilantro, stirring until fragrant—roughly 1 minute—before moving on.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep the skillet at medium heat to avoid browning the garlic too much; you want fragrant, not bitter.

Step 3: Add Chicken and Seasonings

Now, add the shredded chicken breast to the skillet along with chicken bouillon, tomato paste, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, and 1 cup of water. Stir everything together thoroughly, then bring it to a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring often, until most of the liquid evaporates but the mixture remains moist and cohesive, about 5 to 8 minutes.

💡 Pro Tip: The filling should be juicy but not soggy—let the flavors mingle as the liquid reduces for the best taste.

Step 4: Assemble the Empanadas

Take one dough shell at a time and spoon a heaping ⅓ cup of the chicken filling onto one half of each round, leaving a ¼ inch border around the edges. In a small bowl, whisk the egg with 1 tablespoon of water to create your egg wash. Brush this egg wash generously around the edges of the dough to help seal your empanadas.

Carefully fold the dough over the filling, pressing down the edges firmly with a fork to seal the pockets tightly.

💡 Pro Tip: A fork seal is not just attractive; it helps prevent any delicious filling from escaping while baking.

Step 5: Bake Until Golden

Place the sealed empanadas onto the lined baking sheet, then brush the tops with the remaining egg wash. Bake in your preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until the crust is beautifully golden and crisp—an irresistible shade that promises flaky goodness inside.

💡 Pro Tip: Rotate the baking sheet halfway through to ensure even browning on all sides.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learn from these common pitfalls to make your Chicken Empanadas Recipe a guaranteed success:

Overfilling the dough: Leads to spills or difficulty sealing edges.
Skipping the egg wash: Results in a dull crust that lacks that golden, glossy finish.
Using too high heat: Can burn the crust before the filling heats through properly.

Not reducing the filling enough: Too much moisture causes soggy empanadas that won’t crisp.
Ignoring fresh herbs: Skipping fresh cilantro loses vital brightness in the filling.
Thick dough rounds: Dough that is too thick creates doughy empanadas without that perfect flakiness.

Delicious Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered the classic Chicken Empanadas Recipe, feel free to experiment with these exciting, halal-friendly twists:

Spicy Harissa Chicken Empanadas

Add 1 tablespoon of spicy harissa paste to the chicken mixture for a smoky, fiery kick that pairs beautifully with the mellow bell peppers and cilantro.

Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken Empanadas

Mix in shredded mozzarella or queso fresco and diced jalapeños to the filling before assembling for a luscious, melty surprise with some gentle heat.

Curried Chicken Empanadas

Stir in 1 teaspoon of mild curry powder and a splash of coconut milk into the filling to introduce a fragrant, exotic flavor that transforms the classic into something new and delightful.

Spinach and Feta Chicken Empanadas

Add chopped fresh spinach and crumbled feta cheese to the chicken filling for a Mediterranean flair that’s fresh and tangy.

Sweet Potato and Chicken Empanadas

Include roasted mashed sweet potatoes in the filling for a subtly sweet, creamy addition that complements the savory spices beautifully.

How to Serve Chicken Empanadas Recipe

Single white plate with one half of a golden-baked empanada prominently displayed, the cross-section revealing a savory filling of shredded chicken, sautéed bell peppers, onions, and fresh herbs, vibrant colors contrasting with the flaky crust, sprinkled with finely chopped parsley, natural light highlighting the textures of the dough and filling, set on a white marble surface, intimate close-up angled view, styled for a food blog photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh lime wedges, a sprinkle of chopped cilantro, and a dollop of cooling Greek yogurt or a mild salsa verde add brightness and balance each savory bite.

Side Dishes

Serve alongside a fresh green salad, black bean salad, or simple Spanish rice to round out the meal with vibrant, complementary flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, serve empanadas on a large wooden platter lined with banana leaves or colorful napkins, paired with small bowls of different dipping sauces like chimichurri, spicy ranch, or a smoky chipotle mayo.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover empanadas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They taste fantastic cold or reheated.

Freezing

To freeze, assemble empanadas and place them on a parchment-lined tray. Freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They keep well for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Reheat frozen or refrigerated empanadas in a preheated oven at 350° F for 10-15 minutes until warmed through and crusty. Avoid the microwave for reheating to keep the crust crisp.

FAQs

Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Absolutely! Using shredded rotisserie chicken saves time and adds great flavor, making your Chicken Empanadas Recipe even quicker.

Are store-bought empanada dough shells halal?

Most store-bought dough shells are halal, but always check the packaging ingredients to confirm there are no non-halal additives.

Can I freeze these empanadas before baking?

Yes, you can freeze assembled empanadas before baking. Simply freeze on a tray, then store in a container. Bake them straight from frozen—add a few extra minutes to baking time.

What dipping sauces go best with these empanadas?

Sauces like chimichurri, salsa verde, or a cooling yogurt-based dip complement the flavors wonderfully.

Can I make these empanadas vegetarian?

Definitely! Substitute the chicken for a mix of mushrooms, spinach, and cheese for a delicious vegetarian version.

How can I make the crust flakier?

Brush the dough with egg wash and avoid overworking the dough. Using chilled dough also helps achieve a flakier crust.

Is it better to bake or fry empanadas?

This chicken empanadas recipe is designed for baking, producing a deliciously crisp crust with less oil and mess.

Can I add cheese to the filling?

Yes, adding cheese like mozzarella or cheddar can make the filling creamy and extra delicious.

Final Thoughts

There is something truly magical about making and sharing Chicken Empanadas Recipe—it’s a dish that brings warmth, comfort, and a touch of adventure to your dinner table. Whether you’re new to empanadas or an old fan, this recipe offers the perfect blend of tasty simplicity and show-stopping flavor.

Have you tried this Chicken Empanadas Recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below. If you loved this recipe, please share it with friends and family. Happy cooking! 😊