Chicken Empanada Recipe

Chicken Empanada Recipe

Little introduction what Empanada all about.
 Empanadas are made by folding dough or bread around stuffing, which usually consists of a variety of meat, cheese, huitlacoche, vegetables or fruits, among others.

 Filipino empanadas usually contain ground beef, pork or chicken, potatoes, chopped onions, and raisins (somewhat similar to the Cuban picadillo) in a somewhat sweet, wheat flour bread. There are two kinds available: the baked sort and the flaky fried type. ( source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empanada )

I never made Chicken Empanada before, I just felt that its so hard to make and the process takes forever! but I love this dish!. So, when my friend Cherry came over one time, we decided to make this all time favorite filipino empanada. Guess what? It's easier than I thought.. ( hahaha) I have no idea that the process is just as simple as eating this empanada.( wink)
Chicken Empanada is just perfect meal itself, you have this crunchy bite, flaky, sweet, meaty. All yummy goodness explosion in your mouth at once, and that's the reason why I love chicken empanada.C'mon let start cooking..:)

The Dough

3 cups all purpose flour

1 stick or 1/2 cup cold butter

4 teaspoon sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 cup water

1/2 tsp. baking soda

Directions:
1.) In large bowl combine the flour, butter, sugar, salt, and baking soda. Mix until well combine;
Note: Make sure the butter is incorporated on the dry mixture.
2.) Add the water, mix well and knead the dough in clean surface. 
3.) Let it stand for 10 minutes, divide the dough into 18 little balls. Set aside;

The Filling Mixture

Note:Frozen or fresh peas in MUST on making empanada. It just happen I don't have it the time I made my empanada..:)
- Cut your chicken and vegetables into small cubed.

Ingredients:
1 chicken breast
1 medium size potato
1 big carrot
1/2 cup peas ( I don't have it on hand )
1/4 cup raisin
Oil
Onion
Salt and Pepper- to taste

Directions:
1.) Put oil in large pan sauteed the onion until translucent.  Add the chicken cooked until golden brown.
2.) Add the vegetables, raisin and salt and pepper to taste. Let it simmer for 10 minutes or until everything is cooked.
3.) Let the filling mixture cool completely. 
NOTE: Adjust the seasoning and taste to your preference and liking.:)

The making of Chicken Empanada

* Now that, we have the dough and the mixture filing. Let start making the Chicken Empanada.
1.) Preheat the oven at 350 degrees.

1.) Using rolling pin, roll the dough onto clean surface until form a circle. Do it until everything is DONE. Next,  Fill each rolled dough with the filling mixture about 1 spoonful.

2.) Fold the dough in half, and then seal the dough by pinching and folding the edges on the Empanada. Just like the photo above.:) 

3.) Put the Empanada into greased baking pan, brush the top with egg white mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

4.) Cool completely before eating. Enjoy and Share with your friends and family.