Empanada Recipe
Fried pastry filled with cheese and your choice of: shredded chicken, chipotle chicken or ground beef
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Ingredients
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Dough
Filling Options
For Frying
Method
Prepare the Dough
- 1
Make the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour and salt. Cut in the unsalted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the egg and mix until combined. Gradually add cold water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together. Knead the dough briefly, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Prepare the Filling
- 2
Cook the Filling
In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté until fragrant. For shredded chicken, add it to the skillet and season with salt and black pepper. For ground beef, add it to the skillet and cook until browned, seasoning with salt and black pepper. For chipotle chicken, mix shredded chicken with chipotle sauce before adding to the skillet. Cook all fillings until heated through and set aside.
Assemble the Empanadas
- 3
Fill the Dough
On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8 inch thick. Cut out circles using a 4-5 inch round cutter. Place a tablespoon of the filling of your choice (shredded chicken, chipotle chicken, or ground beef) and a sprinkle of shredded cheese on one half of the dough circle. Fold the other half over the filling and press the edges to seal, crimping with a fork if desired.
Fry the Empanadas
- 4
Fry Until Golden
In a deep frying pan, heat 3 cups of cooking oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, gently add the empanadas in batches, frying until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
