Combine the flour and salt, then add the melted butter or shortening, followed gradually by the water. Knead until you have a smooth, pliable dough. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Dice or shred the cooked chicken breast. Finely chop the onion, and crush the garlic.
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion until softened, then add the chicken and garlic. Season with black pepper, and cook for a few minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Let it cool slightly.
Stir the grated cheddar cheese into the slightly cooled chicken mixture. The filling should be thick and easy to handle.
On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 3 mm thick. Cut out circles about 10–12 cm in diameter, and place a tablespoon of filling in the center of each.
Fold the dough in half to form a crescent shape, and seal the edges with a fork or a twisted pattern. Ensure they are well sealed to prevent the cheese from leaking out.
Place the filled empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops with a little water or oil.
Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted inside.
Let them rest for 5 minutes before serving warm. They are delicious on their own, with a salad, or with a dipping sauce.
To provide the best experiences, we and our partners use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us and our partners to process personal data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site and show (non-) personalized ads. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Click below to consent to the above or make granular choices. Your choices will be applied to this site only. You can change your settings at any time, including withdrawing your consent, by using the toggles on the Cookie Policy, or by clicking on the manage consent button at the bottom of the screen.