Chicken and Mushroom Empanada: Galician Comfort Classic 2026

This chicken and mushroom empanada is a hearty Galician classic made from scratch, with a tender homemade dough wrapped around a juicy, flavorful filling. The dough comes together with just flour, water, olive oil and salt, so there is nothing complicated about it.

Inside, a sofrito of garlic, onion and red pepper simmers with diced chicken breast and mushrooms, then gets a touch of sweet paprika and white wine for depth. Everything bakes into a golden, savory pie that is perfect for feeding a crowd.

Serve it warm as a main course or slice it into smaller pieces for a party. Either way, this empanada delivers big flavor with simple, everyday ingredients.

Ingredients for Chicken and Mushroom Empanada

This makes 6 generous servings.

• 2 garlic cloves
• 350 g onion
• 100 g red bell pepper
• 500 g chicken breast
• Salt
• 150 g mushrooms or other mushrooms
• 35 g olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 50 ml white wine
• 500 g wheat flour
• 250 ml water
• 50 g olive oil
• 8 g salt
• 1 egg (to brush the dough)

How to Make Chicken and Mushroom Empanada Step by Step

1. Chop the garlic, onion and pepper

The first thing we are going to do is finely chop 2 garlic cloves, 350 g of onion and 100 g of red bell pepper.

2. Cut the chicken and mushrooms

Cut 500 g of chicken breast into small dice and season with salt. Also cut 150 g of mushrooms into small squares.

3. Start the filling with a sofrito

Place a pot over medium heat with 35 g of olive oil and, once the oil is hot, add the garlic and sauté for a few moments. Then add the onion, a pinch of salt and cook for 10 minutes. After that, stir in the red pepper, mix and cook for about 8 minutes.

4. Add the chicken

Next, add the chicken, mix it with the sofrito and cook for 2-3 minutes until it changes color.

5. Add the mushrooms, paprika and wine

Then add the mushrooms and a pinch of salt, mix and cook for about 3 minutes. Raise the heat a little, add 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika and mix it quickly with the sofrito, then immediately add 50 ml of white wine. Wait 1 minute for the alcohol to evaporate and cook the mixture for 2-3 more minutes. At this point the filling is ready and must be left to cool.

6. Make the dough

While the filling cools, prepare the empanada dough. In a bowl place 500 g of wheat flour, 250 ml of water, 50 g of olive oil and 8 g of salt. Mix and knead for 10 minutes until you have a smooth, homogeneous dough.

7. Let the dough rest

Let the dough rest for 15 minutes in the bowl, covered with a cloth.

8. Divide the dough in two

Divide the dough into 2 parts, one a little larger than the other. The larger part is the one we will use for the base of the empanada.

9. Roll out the base and add the filling

Lightly flour the work surface and the rolling pin and roll out the larger piece of dough into a rectangular sheet that roughly fits the baking tray, which we have previously lined with parchment paper. Place the dough on the parchment paper and spread the filling over it, leaving the entire edge of the dough free.

10. Cover with the other dough

Next, roll out the other part of the dough and cover the empanada with it. At this point, trim the excess dough to leave the empanada with a perfect rectangular shape. We will use the dough trimmings to decorate the empanada.

11. Seal, decorate and brush with egg

Seal the edge of the empanada with the classic braided cord-style crimp and make a hole in the middle. Make strips with the dough trimmings and place them on the empanada to decorate. Then brush the entire surface of the empanada with 1 beaten egg.

12. Bake

Bake the empanada at 180 ºC, with top and bottom heat, for about 35-40 minutes. After this time, take it out of the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.

13. Serve

Serve the empanada warm, sliced into portions.

Tips for the Best Chicken and Mushroom Empanada

Choose the right chicken

For the filling I use chicken breast, but boneless chicken thighs also work well. Either way, cut the meat into small dice so it cooks evenly and stays juicy.

Mushrooms add extra juiciness

I add mushrooms to the chicken filling, but any other variety of mushrooms could be used. They combine very well with the flavor of the chicken and give the filling extra juiciness.

Roll the dough to your liking

When rolling out the dough, leave it as thin or as thick as your household prefers. I like the empanada dough nice and thin, so I roll it out to about 2 mm thick; if you prefer a thicker crust, simply roll it out less with the rolling pin.

30 Top Dishes I Enjoy Cooking at Home

Much like me, you probably like having a rotation of fuss-free comfort dishes, well-known global plates, and desserts that please a crowd.

When a rich, indulgent treat is what I'm after, I tend to reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And any time a fruity, cozy dessert sounds good, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my go-to.

On mornings when I want something quick and on lighter days, I'll whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, I'm fond of making this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean flavors, I switch between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crunchy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, silky Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is another one I love to serve when the occasion calls for something a bit fancier.

Come lunchtime cravings or a cozy evening meal, I'm quick to suggest this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and velvety Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. Should I be after something more substantial, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Any time street-food style or party-ready plates are calling, I'll usually fix this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These simple Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another favorite of mine to set out as a light starter or snack.

And when drinks plus a whole spread are on the agenda for company, I'll typically serve dinner alongside this cooling Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. Then to fill out the table, I like to add this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finish things off with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Additional Tasty Recipes to Cook for Loved Ones

After years of trying and tweaking recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to see that the greatest dishes balance ease, dependable methods, and big flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the very ones I keep coming back to, time and again—whether I'm throwing together a fast meal just for me or putting on something memorable for friends and family.

For a sweet finish, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I turn to whenever I want something elegant yet effortless. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture comes in handy, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe shows exactly how I make it at home.

Whenever something light and uncomplicated is what I'm craving, I reach for the familiar Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For fuller comfort meals, I'm quick to point to the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight winner One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm equally fond of passing along dishes rooted in tradition from across the globe, among them the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the timeless Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another area I return to often, since it cuts down on time while still delivering excellent texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that baked pasta classics can still be indulgent, cheesy, and deeply satisfying minus the gluten.

Gluten free Empanada Dough Recipe 🍕 Fluffy Apple Cake Recipe 🍔 Langos Hungarian Fried Bread Recipe 🌭 Gluten Free French Brioche Recipe 🍟 Madeira British Sponge Cake Recipe 🌮 Chocolate Argentinian Cookies Alfajores Recipe 🌯 Barmbrack Irish Sweet Bread Recipe 🥙 Gluten free Cookies Recipe 🥗 Homemade cream Maruxas Galician Biscuit Recipe 🍝 Japanese Dumplings Gyoza Dough Recipe

American Gluten Free Cookies Recipe 🍜 Gluten Free King Cake Recipe 🍲 Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe 🍛 Extremadura Style Chard Recipe 🍣 Keto Sliced Sandwich Bread Recipe 🍱 Gluten Free Waffles Recipe 🍤 Low Carb Keto Pizza Recipe 🍗 Gluten Free Bread Rolls Recipe 🍖 Flourless Gluten Free Bread Buns Recipe 🥓 Protein Ice Cream Recipe 🥞 Chia Pudding Dessert with Seeds Recipe

Fluffy Cloud Bread Pan Nube Recipe 🧇 Quinoa Bread Recipe 🍞 Schiacciata Tuscan Focaccia Flat Bread Recipe 🥐 Shokupan Japanese Milk Bread Recipe 🥨 Potato Sandwich Bread Recipe 🧀 Homemade Breadsticks Recipe 🍳 Stollen German Dried Fruits Cake Recipe 🥚 French Gingerbread Spiced Cake Recipe 🍰 Gluten Free Pancakes Recipe

🥔 Potato-omelet-in-Thermomix 🍓 Smores-Sandwich-Dessert 🍰 Womens-Day-Mimosa-cake ☕ Coffee-Sorbet 🍆 Eggplant-pizza 🍋 Ciambella-Italian-Lemon-Cake 🥖 Zapiekanka-Polish-Snack 🌰 Dukkah-Egyptian-Nuts-Mix 🧆 Best-Hummus 🥑 Best-Avocado