Savory Chicken and Black Bean Puff Pastry Empanadas
These Savory Chicken and Black Bean Puff Pastry Empanadas are a delightful combination of spiced chicken, tender black beans, and fresh cilantro, all enveloped in flaky, golden pastry. Perfect for lunch, snacks, or a tasty appetizer, they’re sure to become a favorite in your home. Serve them warm with a side of zesty salsa, cooling sour cream, and a sprinkle of green onions for a complete treat. This recipe is not only easy to prepare but also ideal for sharing with family and friends, making every meal a celebration.
N/A
Servings
600
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Vegetable oil
1/4 cup (For sautéing and brushing)
Small onion
1 (Finely chopped)
Garlic cloves
2 (Pressed)
Ground cumin
1 teaspoon (For seasoning)
Dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons (For seasoning)
Cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon (For seasoning)
Black beans
1 (15 oz) can (Drained and rinsed well)
Cooked chicken
1 1/2 cups (Finely shredded)
Kosher salt
To taste (For seasoning)
Black pepper
To taste (For seasoning)
Fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 cup (Packed)
Prepared puff pastry
2 sheets (For the dough)
Flour
As needed (For rolling out pastry)
Salsa
To serve (For dipping)
Sour cream
To serve (For topping)
Green onions or chives
To serve (For garnish)
Instructions
1
1. In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped onion and pressed garlic, sautéing until the onions are soft and translucent, about 4 minutes.
2
2. Stir in the ground cumin, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes to release their flavors.
3
3. Add the drained and rinsed black beans and finely shredded cooked chicken to the skillet. Season the mixture with kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the black beans are heated through, then remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool completely.
4
4. Once cooled, stir in the packed fresh cilantro leaves until well combined.
5
5. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
6
6. On a lightly floured surface, lay out one sheet of the prepared puff pastry. Lightly flour the top and use a rolling pin to roll it out to approximately 1/16-inch thick, creating a rectangle roughly 12 inches by 16 inches.
7
7. Cut the rolled pastry into 12 equal squares, each about 4 inches by 4 inches, making sure to keep the dough floured to prevent sticking.
8
8. To assemble the empanadas, fill a small dish with water. Visualize a diagonal line dividing each square in half. Place about 2 tablespoons of the cooled filling on the top half of each square. Dip your finger in the water and moisten the edges of the top half of the square.
9
9. Carefully fold the bottom half of the square over to meet the edges, encasing the filling. Use a fork to press down on the edges, sealing them securely.
10
10. Lightly brush the tops of the formed empanadas with vegetable oil and arrange them on a nonstick baking sheet.
11
11. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 12 to 14 minutes, or until the empanadas are golden brown and puffy.
12
12. Serve warm with salsa, sour cream, and chopped green onions or chives for garnish.
Nutrition Information
30
Fat
60
Carbs
30
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Chicken and Black Bean Puff Pastry Empanadas?
They are a delightful combination of spiced chicken, tender black beans, and fresh cilantro, all enveloped in flaky, golden puff pastry.
What type of dough is used for this recipe?
The recipe uses two sheets of prepared puff pastry.
What is the baking temperature for the empanadas?
The oven should be preheated to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
How long do the empanadas need to bake?
They should bake for approximately 12 to 14 minutes until golden brown and puffy.
Do I need to cook the chicken before adding it to the filling?
Yes, the recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of finely shredded cooked chicken.
What spices are used to season the filling?
The filling is seasoned with ground cumin, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper.
How do I prepare the black beans?
Use one 15 oz can of black beans, making sure they are drained and rinsed well.
How thick should I roll out the puff pastry?
The puff pastry should be rolled out to approximately 1/16-inch thick.
What are the dimensions of the pastry squares?
Each pastry sheet is cut into 12 equal squares, each about 4 inches by 4 inches.
How much filling goes into each empanada?
Place about 2 tablespoons of the cooled filling on the top half of each square.
How do I seal the edges of the empanadas?
Moisten the edges with water and use a fork to press down on the edges to seal them securely.
What should I brush on the empanadas before baking?
Lightly brush the tops of the formed empanadas with vegetable oil.
What are the recommended toppings for serving?
Serve them with zesty salsa, cooling sour cream, and a sprinkle of green onions or chives.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are 600 calories per serving.
What is the protein content of this dish?
Each serving contains 30 grams of protein.
How much fat is in the recipe?
There are 30 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in these empanadas?
There are 60 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
When should I add the fresh cilantro to the mixture?
Stir in the packed fresh cilantro leaves once the chicken and bean mixture has cooled completely.
How do I prevent the puff pastry from sticking?
Roll the pastry on a lightly floured surface and keep the top of the dough floured.
What type of onion should be used?
The recipe calls for one small onion, finely chopped.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe uses 2 pressed garlic cloves.
How long should the onions and garlic be sautéed?
Sauté them in vegetable oil for about 4 minutes until soft and translucent.
Is there any heat or spice in the filling?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper for a touch of heat.
Should I use a specific type of salt?
The recipe recommends using kosher salt to taste.
Can I use a nonstick baking sheet?
Yes, the instructions suggest arranging the empanadas on a nonstick baking sheet.
What size rectangle should the puff pastry be rolled into?
Roll it into a rectangle roughly 12 inches by 16 inches.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 16 ingredients used in this recipe.
What type of oil is best for this recipe?
Vegetable oil is used for both sautéing the filling and brushing the pastry.
Is this recipe suitable for lunch?
Yes, it is tagged as perfect for lunch, snacks, or appetizers.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
The recipe uses dried oregano for seasoning, but specifies fresh cilantro for the final mixture.