Pan-Seared Chicken Wings with Spicy Empanada Filling

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken wings pan-seared to golden perfection served alongside a spicy beef and vegetable empanada-inspired filling perfect for dipping or stuffing. This latin american-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs chicken wings, olive oil, ground beef for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Latin American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 12 chicken wings dry and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add wings, cooking for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through with crispy edges.
  2. Step 2: While wings cook, in a separate pan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 small finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 3 minutes until translucent. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper, cooking 2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 8 oz ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 5 minutes until browned. Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp chili powder, and 2 tbsp tomato paste. Cook for 3 more minutes until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and fold in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Serve the pan-seared chicken wings alongside the spicy beef filling for dipping or stuffing.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken Wings with Spicy Empanada Filling take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Pan-Seared Chicken Wings with Spicy Empanada Filling?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken wings from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken Wings with Spicy Empanada Filling?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Pan-Seared Chicken Wings with Spicy Empanada Filling for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Pan-Seared Chicken Wings with Spicy Empanada Filling?

Latin American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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