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Chicken Empadinha

Flaky mini pastry pies filled with creamy savory chicken. These bite-sized pastries feature a tender butter crust and savory filling.

60 minMediumServes 12220 cal/serving

BrazilianAppetizerStovetop and OvenStandardLow CarbNut-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeAlcohol-FreeNightshade-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 2 egg yolks, beaten
  • 1 lb boneless chicken breast, shredded
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
  • 1 egg yolk, beaten

Instructions

  1. 1

    In a skillet over medium heat, cook 1 diced yellow onion until soft, then stir in 1 lb shredded boneless chicken breast and 1/2 cup softened cream cheese until combined, ensuring chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).

  2. 2

    In a large bowl, mix 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup cold and cubed unsalted butter, and 2 beaten egg yolks until a smooth pastry dough forms, then chill for 30 minutes.

  3. 3

    Press dough into muffin tins, fill with chicken mixture, and seal tops with extra dough rounds.

  4. 4

    Brush pastry tops with 1 beaten egg yolk and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes until golden.

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Questions

What temperature do I cook Chicken Empadinha at?

For Chicken Empadinha, the target internal temperature is 165 F (about 75 C), given in step 1. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork. The oven is also used at 375 F (about 190 C) in step 4.

Can I skip chilling the dough for Chicken Empadinha?

Step 2 reads: "In a large bowl, mix 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup cold and cubed unsalted butter, and 2 beaten egg yolks until a smooth pastry dough forms, then chill for 30 minutes." Not without a cost. The rest in step 2 firms the fat and relaxes the gluten, so the dough holds its shape and bakes up tender instead of spreading or shrinking.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts in Chicken Empadinha?

Yes. Boneless thighs at the same weight are more forgiving and stay juicier. Give them two to four minutes longer; they are at their best around 175 F rather than 165 F. As written, the entry for Chicken Empadinha uses 1 lb boneless chicken breast, shredded.

Can I make Chicken Empadinha dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in Chicken Empadinha is 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed, 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened. Swap the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed; the cheese for a plant-based melting cheese (expect a milder flavor). The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Does Chicken Empadinha contain eggs?

Yes: 2 egg yolks, beaten and 1 egg yolk, beaten. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten, dairy and eggs. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

Serve it with

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