Fried chicken empanada recipe: 7 healthy benefits

The fried chicken empanada recipe is a delicious, easy-to-make appetizer that can be served at parties or as finger food with drinks. The chicken mixture is stuffed inside of pastry dough with a slightly sweet and salty sauce, which makes the empanada crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

It’s worth noting that this recipe can also be made vegetarian by replacing the chicken with tofu. An easy and delicious recipe that’s perfect for a summer cookout or picnic.

What is the Fried chicken empanada recipe?

In this fried chicken empanada recipe, the empanadas are made of fried chicken marinated in a blend of different spices and herbs.

The thin and small pieces of meat are combined with fresh cream, chopped herbs, and grated cheese. The mixture is then stuffed inside a pastry dough, making it crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The sauce used to coat the fried chicken is made from sour cream, onion, garlic, and a touch of lemon juice.

The empanada is a popular dish in Spanish-speaking countries, and its history spans a long way back. According to experts, it derives from the gastronomic tradition of the Arab world.

How to long will it take to prepare?

• Prepare time: 15 minutes
• Bake time: 20 minutes
• Cooking time: 25 minutes
• Total time: 1 hour
• Servings: 1-2

How to make a Fried chicken empanada recipe?

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup cold butter
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 1/2 kilo boneless chicken without skin
• Four cloves garlic
• 1/2 medium-sized onion
• Half sliced red bell pepper
• Three potatoes
• 2 tbsp sugar
• Half carrot
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Black pepper
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 2tbsp Knorr seasoning
• 1 tbsp brown sugar or honey
• 2 tbsp tomato ketchup or banana ketchup
• 1/4 cup green peas
• 1/4 cup raisins

Direction:

Step:1

Make dough for the fried chicken empanada by combining flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a bowl. Place the cold butter and water in a large skillet over medium heat.

When the butter has completely melted, add the mixture to a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Mix until it becomes a soft dough similar to thick bread crumbs without being sticky.

Step:2

Transfer the dough to a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap to keep it from drying. Let it rest for at least 30 minutes before using it.

Step:3

Preheat the oven to 350F. Mix the chicken, garlic, onion, carrot, and bell pepper in a mixing bowl. Add soy sauce and oyster sauce, black pepper, and Knorr seasoning. Stir until combined.

Step:4

Bake in a roasting pan for 40 minutes at 350F or until it’s thoroughly cooked. Shred chicken by hand into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook it until it’s scorched. Spoon the chicken into a large bowl and keep aside.

Step:5

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s heated, add the olive oil to it. Cover the bottom of the pan with dry chicken filling mixture along with the red bell pepper and potatoes.

Cook for 5 minutes or until browned on the bottom. Pour half cup of water into it, mix thoroughly while cooking, and reduce the flame once cooked through.

Step:6

While cooking, mix cornstarch with 1 tbsp of water and add to the skillet. Mix them until combined, and then add the chicken filling mixture. Cook for 2 minutes and pour in half a cup of water.

Simmer for an additional 2 minutes until thoroughly cooked through.

Step:7

In a separate bowl, mix the cream with sugar and Knorr seasoning. Set aside to cool down slightly before using (like refrigerate to let cool down).

Step:8

On a floured surface, roll the dough into a round, about 1/4 inch thick. Use a cup to cut rounds from the dough.

Step:9

In an assembly line fashion, put 1 tbsp of chicken filling mixture on each round and then fold it into a half-moon shape by sealing the edges. Brush tops with egg wash and bake in an oven preheated to 350F for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let it cool down before serving with sauce.

Step:10

Mix sour cream with sugar and Knorr seasoning. Serve along with fried chicken empanada.

Additional tips:

1. The dough for fried chicken empanada can be made in advance and kept covered. It can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
2. Once the filling is prepared, it’s best to add other fillers quickly as the mixture tends to harden rapidly with time. The chicken filling mixture can be used in other recipes.
3. Knorr seasoning is a specially blended of many different herbs with salt and pepper to give it an added flavour. It’s ideal for several recipes, including fish and many cakes, cookies, and pastries. 

Precautions for the recipe:

1. Do not let the dough rest at room temperature while it’s still active, as it may ruin the texture of the dough.
2. Preheat the oven to 350°F or 275°C before baking. It’s essential for fried chicken empanada that it is thoroughly cooked inside after baking.
3. The baked chicken empanada will only be crispy on the outside if you cook it in an oven that is preheated to 350°F or 277°C.

Nutrition facts of Fried chicken empanada recipe:

7 healthy benefits of the Fried chicken empanada recipe-

1. The fried chicken empanada recipe is perfect for anyone who wants to lose weight. It contains low calories and fat, yet it makes them full and energetic.
2. The fried chicken empanada recipe also contains lean proteins, which help muscle maintenance, especially if consumed after exercises or sporting events.
3. Fried chicken empanada is rich in vitamin C, which helps reduce inflammation and protection from cancer.
4. Fried chicken empanada is also rich in vitamin A which helps prevent night blindness.
5. Fried chicken empanada is a good source of iron and folic acid. Increased iron levels can reduce the risk of anaemia during pregnancy while folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects in babies.
6. Fried chicken empanada is an excellent source of vitamin B that can improve memory and alertness and may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and depression in older adults.
7. Fried chicken empanada is also an excellent source of vitamin K, which is necessary for strong bones and teeth and prevents heart disease, osteoporosis, stroke, and other diseases.

How to prepare fried chicken empanada without eggs?

To prepare fried chicken empanada without eggs, use water instead of egg to seal the dough. To prepare fried chicken empanada without eggs, you can substitute the egg with 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water.

To prepare fried chicken empanada without eggs, while cooking the dough with oil, pour in 1 tbsp of beaten egg instead of water on both sides to seal it better and ensure it won’t fall apart and absorbs less oil.

How to make a fried chicken empanada recipe with less fat?

To make a fried chicken empanada recipe with less fat, you can bake the empanada at 275°C instead of 350°F, to begin with. This will prevent it from becoming too crispy on the outside after cooking.

To make a fried chicken empanada recipe with less fat, you can use skimmed milk to prepare the dough instead of whole milk and low-fat cream instead of full cream cheese or butter.

Is olive oil suitable for frying?

Using olive oil for frying can give the finished food a heavenly taste. Its high-fat content makes it ideal for high temperatures while retaining its flavour and aroma due to its natural antioxidants.

It is also a healthier cooking medium than traditional oils because of its monounsaturated fat content and low levels of polyunsaturated fats.

What do you eat with the Fried chicken empanada recipe?

To enjoy this Fried chicken empanada recipe, you can pair it with a cup of hot tea or coffee. Mixing some melted butter and grated cheese, you can also make a dip that goes well with this fried chicken empanada recipe.

Can I make a spicy version of fried chicken empanada fillings?

You can use it. To make a spicy version of fried chicken empanada filling, use chilli powder instead of paprika if you want a milder flavour.

If you want more heat in the boiled corn filling, add some chopped jalapeño pepper to the recipe. You can add a drop of hot sauce while mixing the filler with other ingredients for a more intense flavour.

How to make fried chicken empanada in the oven?

Fried chicken empanada, being a baked pastry, is easy to make. It can also be prepared in the oven. Making it in the range requires no frying, saving time and energy while still giving you soft and tasty results.

When making this fried chicken empanada recipe in the oven, bake it at 350°F for about 30 minutes or until an inserted knife comes out clean.

What is the best type of oil for frying?

Two types of oils are used for frying. The first is vegetable oil or any cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as sunflower, olive, or peanut oil. The second oil used for frying is lard or shortening, which has a low smoke point; you should not overheat it.

If you want the fried chicken empanada to be crispy and golden in colour, use the first type of oil mentioned above.

Can you make it gluten-free?

If the flour mixture has been altered, you can replace it with gluten-free flour. You may substitute baking powder with baking soda and egg whites or low-fat or fat-free milk instead of regular milk.

What to serve with the Fried chicken empanada recipe?

You can also pair this fried chicken empanada recipe with a cup of hot tea or coffee. You can also make a dip that goes well by combining all the ingredients and melting some butter, then mixing in grated cheese.

Another way is to slice the vegetables and meats to serve as snacks along with this fried chicken empanada recipe.

Can I freeze the fried chicken empanada for later eat?

You can make the fried chicken empanada recipe in advance and freeze it. It can be kept in an airtight container or freezer bag with a piece of dry ice to maintain its freshness.

The best way to defrost frozen fried chicken empanada is at room temperature for about 4 hours (after defrosting, it will taste best if prepared within a couple of days).

Conclusion

Making fried chicken empanada from scratch may be time-consuming, but it’s worth every second. It is an indulgent breakfast pastry or an afternoon snack for the whole family to enjoy.

Fried chicken empanada is also ideal for parties and gatherings as you can prepare them in advance and bake them just before serving them with a cup of hot tea or coffee. Fried chicken empanada can be enjoyed as a morning snack, lunch, or dinner.

You can also use this recipe to prepare any of your favourite fillings in the form of quiches and pies, for example.