Savory Chicken and Swiss Cheese Empanadas
Indulge in these delightful Savory Chicken and Swiss Cheese Empanadas, perfect for entertaining as appetizers or satisfying enough for a main course! These golden-brown pastries are filled with a creamy blend of cooked chicken, rich Swiss cheese, and roasted red peppers, all encased in flaky pizza dough. The addition of cream cheese and chicken broth creates a luscious filling that bursts with flavor in every bite. Easy to prepare using refrigerated pizza crust dough, these empanadas bring together a symphony of tastes and textures that are sure to please your family and guests alike. Serve them hot or warm for the ultimate crowd-pleaser!
6
Servings
300
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chopped cooked chicken
1 1/2 cups (Cooked and chopped)
Shredded Swiss cheese
1/2 cup (Shredded)
Chopped roasted red peppers
2 tablespoons (Jarred is acceptable)
Minced onions
2 tablespoons (Finely minced)
Ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (Freshly ground)
Chicken broth
1/2 cup (Unseasoned)
Cornstarch
1 tablespoon (Used for thickening)
Cream cheese
3 ounces (Cut into small chunks)
Salt
To taste (Adjust according to preference)
Refrigerated pizza dough
2 (10-ounce) packages (Ready to use)
Large egg
1 (Beaten for egg wash)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped chicken, shredded Swiss cheese, chopped roasted red peppers, minced onions, and ground black pepper. Stir until well mixed.
3
In a medium saucepan, whisk together the chicken broth and cornstarch until smooth. Add the chunks of cream cheese and cook over high heat, stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a boil and thickens, about 2 to 3 minutes.
4
Pour the cream cheese mixture over the chicken mixture and stir until fully combined. Season with salt to taste.
5
On a lightly floured surface, unroll one package of pizza crust dough. Cut the dough into rectangles measuring approximately 4x5 inches.
6
Spoon about 5 tablespoons of the chicken mixture onto one end of each rectangle. Fold the dough over to create a pocket, and pinch the edges to seal tightly.
7
Arrange the empanadas on a greased 12x15-inch baking sheet, ensuring they have space between them.
8
In a small bowl, beat the egg and brush it generously over the tops of each empanada.
9
Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, approximately 22 to 25 minutes.
10
Once baked, transfer empanadas to a cooling rack and allow them to cool slightly for at least 10 minutes before serving.
11
Enjoy these empanadas warm or at room temperature!
Nutrition Information
15
Fat
25
Carbs
15
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Chicken and Swiss Cheese Empanadas?
They are golden-brown pastries filled with a creamy blend of cooked chicken, Swiss cheese, cream cheese, and roasted red peppers, encased in pizza dough.
What is the main protein used in this recipe?
The main protein used is 1 1/2 cups of chopped cooked chicken.
What type of dough is recommended for these empanadas?
The recipe calls for two 10-ounce packages of refrigerated pizza dough.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 190 degrees Celsius.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
How many calories are in one serving of these empanadas?
Each serving contains 300 calories.
What makes the filling creamy?
The filling becomes creamy through the combination of cream cheese, chicken broth, and Swiss cheese.
What is the purpose of cornstarch in the recipe?
Cornstarch is whisked with chicken broth and heated to thicken the mixture before adding it to the chicken.
How large should the dough rectangles be cut?
The dough should be cut into rectangles measuring approximately 4x5 inches.
How much filling should be placed in each empanada?
Spoon about 5 tablespoons of the chicken mixture onto one end of each dough rectangle.
How do you seal the empanadas?
Fold the dough over the filling to create a pocket and pinch the edges tightly to seal.
What is used to give the empanadas a golden finish?
A beaten large egg is brushed generously over the tops of each empanada before baking.
How long do the empanadas need to bake?
Bake them until they are golden brown, which takes approximately 22 to 25 minutes.
What is the total fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 15 grams of fat.
How many grams of protein are in each serving?
There are 15 grams of protein per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
Each serving contains 25 grams of carbohydrates.
Can I use jarred roasted red peppers?
Yes, jarred roasted red peppers are acceptable for this recipe.
What type of Swiss cheese should I use?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of shredded Swiss cheese.
How long should the empanadas cool before serving?
They should cool on a rack for at least 10 minutes.
Can these empanadas be served at room temperature?
Yes, they can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
What size baking sheet is recommended?
A greased 12x15-inch baking sheet is recommended.
Are there onions in the recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses 2 tablespoons of finely minced onions.
Is the chicken broth seasoned?
The recipe specifies using unseasoned chicken broth.
How much cream cheese is needed?
The recipe requires 3 ounces of cream cheese, cut into small chunks.
What seasoning is used for the chicken mixture?
Ground black pepper and salt to taste are used to season the mixture.
Can these be served as a main course?
Yes, they are satisfying enough to be served as a main course or as appetizers.
What is the category of this recipe?
This recipe is categorized under Lunch/Snacks.
How many ingredients are listed in this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients total, including the egg wash and dough.
Is the baking sheet greased?
Yes, the instructions specify arranging the empanadas on a greased baking sheet.
What is the preparation for the roasted red peppers?
The roasted red peppers should be chopped before being added to the mix.