empanada recipe

Empanada Recipe

Empanada recipe is a delicious baked pastry filled with seasoned chicken, vegetables, and melted cheese wrapped in a flaky homemade dough. These crispy and flavorful empanadas are perfect for snacks, lunch, dinner, or party appetizers and are best served warm. Discover more flavorful recipes like Empanada Recipe right here.

Ingredients

For The Filling

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • ½ cup diced poblano pepper
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground dried chipotle pepper
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • 3 cups diced cooked chicken
  • 2 tablespoons dried currants
  • 2 cans diced tomatoes with green chile peppers
  • ⅓ cup water
  • ¾ cup grated pepper Jack cheese
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 2 teaspoons water

Ingredients

For The Dough

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon white sugar
  • 12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • ⅓ cup cold water

Directions

  • Heat olive oil in a saucepan over high heat.
  • Add onion, poblano pepper, garlic, salt, black pepper, chipotle pepper, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper, cooked chicken, and currants.
  • Cook for about 3 minutes until the onions soften slightly.
  • Stir in diced tomatoes with green chilies and water.
  • Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 30 to 45 minutes until thickened.
  • Remove from heat and let the filling cool completely.
  • Refrigerate the filling for 1 to 2 hours.
  • In a bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar for the dough.
  • Grate cold butter into the flour mixture and combine gently.
  • Add beaten egg and cold water.
  • Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
  • Knead lightly until smooth and shape into a ball.
  • Wrap the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Divide dough into 8 equal pieces and roll each into an 8-inch circle.
  • Drain any extra liquid from the filling.
  • Add filling to the center of each dough circle and top with pepper Jack cheese.
  • Brush dough edges with water.
  • Fold the dough over the filling and seal tightly.
  • Crimp the edges using a fork or fingertips.
  • Mix beaten egg with 2 teaspoons water to make an egg wash.
  • Brush the empanadas with egg wash.
  • Place empanadas on a lined baking sheet.
  • Bake for about 35 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
  • Let cool slightly before serving.

Preparation Details

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Chill Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Servings: 8
  • Yield: 8 empanadas