Traditional empanadas are a Spanish or Latin American pastry filled with savory ingredients and either baked or fried. These easy homemade chicken empanadas are so simple yet so delicious you'll find yourself coming back to them again and again!

Easy Chicken Empanadas

  • Prep Time:25 mins
  • Cook Time:35 mins
  • Total Time:1 hr
  • Servings:10
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1.5lbs Boneless Chicken breast
  • 3 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1/2 cup Yellow Onion minced
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper minced
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tbsp cilantro finely minced
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp chicken bouillon
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 egg for egg wash
  • 10 GOYA empanada shells
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Directions:

Step 1) Preheat the oven to 375° F.

Step 2) Heat 2 tsp oil in a large skillet. Season the chicken breast with 1/2 tsp of salt and pepper and cook in the skillet until golden brown.

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Step 3) Shred the chicken using a fork. (Tip: for easiest shredding, pull chicken apart while it's still warm.)

Step 4) Add the other 1 tsp oil to the skillet and then sauté peppers and onions until soft (about 5 minutes). Add garlic and cilantro.

Step 5) Add the chicken, water, chicken bouillon, tomato paste, onion powder, and the rest of the salt to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook until liquid has evaporated, but the mixture is still moist

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Step 6) Place a scoop of filling onto half of the empanada shells. (You can find these GOYA empanada shells at the freezer section at the grocery store.)

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Step 7) Beat the egg and wet the outer 1/4 inch ring of the shell with egg wash. Fold over the opposite side of the empanada shell and use a fork to seal the edges.

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Step 8) Repeat this process for all of the empanada shells. Then, place all of the empanadas on a lined baking sheet and brush with egg wash.

Step 9) Bake for 35 minutes until golden brown. 

Step 10) Let cool for 10 minutes, then enjoy!

Note: These empanadas can be eaten same day, but they also freeze well! Wait until empanadas have completely cooled before freezing. When you are ready to eat them, bake at 400°F for 20 minutes.