Buffalo Chicken Empanadas with Garlic Parmesan Dip

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If you love bold flavors, crispy golden pastry, and the perfect handheld snack for game day, these Buffalo Chicken Empanadas are about to become your new go-to recipe. With a tender, buttery homemade dough filled with spicy buffalo chicken and gooey cheese, they’re everything you want in a savory bite, comfort food, party food, and casual dinner all in one.

And because no buffalo chicken recipe is complete without a creamy dip, I’m pairing these empanadas with a homemade Garlic Parmesan Dip that balances the heat with richness, tang, and a little bit of zing. Together, they’re the ultimate duo for football season, parties, or even a fun weekend dinner.

In this post, I’ll walk you through everything: the dough, the filling, the two cooking methods (baked or fried), and my favorite make-ahead tips so you can pull these out anytime cravings strike.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Game Day Ready – These empanadas are hearty, handheld, and bursting with flavor—perfect for football parties or casual entertaining.
  
• From Scratch Dough – The homemade empanada dough is buttery and flaky, yet sturdy enough to hold all that cheesy chicken filling.
  
• Versatile Cooking Methods – Bake them for a lighter option or fry them for the ultimate crispy crunch.
  
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor – Buffalo sauce, tender chicken, and melty cheddar all wrapped in golden pastry? Say no more.
  
• Freezer-Friendly – Assemble ahead, freeze, and bake or fry later—no thawing required.
  

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make both the empanadas and the dip. Full measurements are in the recipe card below.

Empanada Dough

• All-purpose flour
  
• Salt
  
• Unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
  
• Egg
  
• Cold water + vinegar (for tenderness)
  

Buffalo Chicken Filling

• Cooked chicken (shredded)
  
• Buffalo sauce
  
• Cream cheese (softened)
  
• Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack
  
• Green onions
  
• Garlic powder, salt & pepper
  

For Cooking

• Egg wash (if baking)
  
• Neutral oil (if frying)
  

Garlic Parmesan Dip

• Mayonnaise + sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
  
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  
• Fresh garlic + garlic powder
  
• Lemon juice
  
• Onion powder + black pepper
  
• Fresh herbs (parsley or chives, optional)
  

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the Dough

Start with the empanada dough—it needs at least 30 minutes to chill.

• In a food processor, pulse flour, salt, and butter until crumbly.
  
• Mix egg, cold water, and vinegar together, then pour into the flour mixture.
  
• Pulse just until dough comes together (don’t overmix).
  
• Form into a disc, wrap, and chill.
  

By hand option: use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut butter into the flour before adding wet ingredients.

2. Mix the Filling

Combine shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, cream cheese, cheddar, green onions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until creamy and well-blended.

3. Assemble the Empanadas

• Roll dough to about ⅛-inch thick.
  
• Cut into 6-inch circles.
  
• Add 3 tablespoons of filling to each, fold, seal, and crimp with a fork.
  

4. Cook the Empanadas

You have two options:

• Bake: Brush with egg wash and bake at 400°F for 20–22 minutes.
  
• Fry: Heat oil to 350°F and fry 3–4 minutes per side until golden.
  

5. Make the Garlic Parmesan Dip

Stir together mayonnaise, sour cream, Parmesan, garlic, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Add milk to thin if needed. Chill for 30 minutes for best flavor.

6. Serve & Enjoy

Cool empanadas slightly, then serve warm with the dip, ranch, or extra buffalo sauce.

Recipe Tips & Variations

• Cheese Swap – Try mozzarella or pepper jack for a different flavor profile.
  
• Blue Cheese Twist – Add crumbled blue cheese to the filling for extra tang.
  
• Seasoned Topping – Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning on top before baking.
  
• Make Ahead – Freeze raw empanadas and bake straight from the freezer.
  
• Dough Shortcut – In a pinch, use store-bought pie dough or puff pastry.
  

Serving Ideas

Buffalo Chicken Empanadas are delicious on their own, but here are a few ways to round out the menu:

• Serve with fresh veggie sticks (celery, carrots, cucumbers) for crunch.
  
• Pair with a cooling salad like coleslaw or ranch-dressed greens.
  
• Offer a sauce bar with ranch, blue cheese, extra buffalo, and honey mustard.
  
• Make them part of a game day spread with nachos, sliders, and wings.
  

Storing & Reheating

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days.
  
• Freezer: Freeze uncooked empanadas for up to 3 months. Bake or fry from frozen.
  
• Reheating: Reheat baked empanadas in the oven at 350°F for 8–10 minutes to re-crisp.
  

Garlic Parmesan Dip: The Perfect Pairing

The creamy Garlic Parmesan Dip deserves its own spotlight. Tangy, garlicky, and packed with flavor, it complements the spicy filling beautifully. Beyond empanadas, you’ll want to keep this dip on hand for:

• Buffalo wings
  
• French fries
  
• Fresh veggies
  
• Mozzarella sticks
  
• Sandwich spread
  

It’s quick, easy, and so versatile, you’ll find endless ways to use it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these empanadas with store-bought dough?
Yes! While homemade dough gives the best flavor and texture, pie crust or puff pastry works in a pinch.

What’s the best chicken to use?
Rotisserie chicken is the easiest shortcut, but any cooked and shredded chicken (breast or thigh) works.

Can I bake and fry a mix of them?
Absolutely—try both methods and see which you prefer! Baked is lighter, fried is crispier.

How spicy are these empanadas?
It depends on your buffalo sauce. Use mild sauce for less heat, or add extra hot sauce for a fiery kick.

Final Thoughts

These Buffalo Chicken Empanadas with Garlic Parmesan Dip are a fun twist on two classics, buffalo wings and empanadas, brought together into one irresistible snack. They’re bold, cheesy, and endlessly customizable, making them a perfect recipe for your next game day, holiday party, or casual night in.

So grab some buffalo sauce, roll out that dough, and get ready to impress your friends and family with this unforgettable dish.