Chicken Empanada With Green Chile Recipe

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil is a healthier fat alternative.

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: low-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Low-fat cheese reduces calories while maintaining flavor.

green chiles

🥗Healthier: jalapeños

💰Cheaper: bell peppers

Jalapeños add heat with lower cost.

all-purpose flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: self-rising flour

Whole wheat flour adds fiber and nutrients.

Make the sofrito by pulsing the bell pepper, onion, garlic, salt, olive oil, and cilantro in a food processor until finely chopped.

Cut the chicken thighs into large pieces.

Season the chicken with a mixture of sazón, salt, olive oil, green chiles, dried oregano, and ⅓ cup sofrito.

Cover the chicken with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours or up to overnight.

Pulse the butter, vegetable shortening, flour, remaining sazón packet, and salt in a food processor until fine crumbs form.

Slowly pour in ice water a tablespoon at a time, pulsing until a ball of dough forms. (You should end up using 4 to 8 tablespoons of water.)

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest for at least 20 minutes or up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Divide the dough into 14 equal pieces, each weighing about 1 ounce.

Roll each piece of dough into a ball, then press it into a flat disk.

Dust each disk with flour.

Sauté the chicken over medium-high heat until it reaches 165 F inside.

Let the chicken cool slightly, then shred it in the food processor.

Put ¼ cup of filling in the center of each dough disk.

Wet the outer edges of the dough with water and fold the dough over into a half-moon shape.

Press the edges of the dough to seal them together, then crimp them with a fork.

Refrigerate each empanada as you finish filling it.

Fill a pot 3 inches deep with oil and heat it to 360 F.

Fry 3 to 4 empanadas at a time for 2 minutes per side until golden brown.

Drain the cooked empanadas on paper towels.

Empanadas can be eaten hot or at room temperature accompanied by your choice of sauce.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens