Cheese & Chicken Stuffed Arepas: A Colombian Classic at Your Table

Arepas are one of Colombia’s most beloved culinary staples, perfect for any meal of the day. Today, we’ll show you how to prepare delicious cheese and chicken-stuffed arepas. You can either make the arepas from scratch using Harina PAN or save time by purchasing ready-made arepas, even cheese-filled ones. Both options are absolutely delicious!

Ingredients

Option 1: Making the arepas from scratch

• 2 cups pre-cooked cornmeal (Harina PAN, white or yellow)
• 1 ½ cups warm water
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon melted butter

Option 2: Using ready-made arepas

• 4 pre-cooked arepas (you can use cheese-stuffed arepas or plain ones)

For the chicken and cheese filling:

• 1 shredded chicken breast
• 1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella or quesillo)
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

🥘 1. Prepare the arepas (if making from scratch)

1. In a bowl, mix the cornmeal and salt.
2. Gradually add the water while kneading until a soft, manageable dough forms.
3. Add the melted butter and continue kneading.
4. Form small balls of dough and flatten them into discs about 1 cm thick.
5. Cook them on a griddle or non-stick pan until golden brown on both sides.

👉 If using pre-made arepas, simply heat them on a pan or griddle until crispy.

🍗 2. Prepare the chicken filling

1. In a pan with olive oil, sauté the onion and garlic until golden.
2. Add the shredded chicken, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook for a few minutes.
3. Remove from heat and mix in the shredded cheese.

🔥 3. Stuff and heat the arepas

1. If you made the arepas from scratch, carefully slice them open like a pocket and fill them with the chicken and cheese mixture.
2. If using cheese-stuffed pre-made arepas, gently open them and add the shredded chicken inside.
3. Place the stuffed arepas back on the pan or griddle to let the cheese melt and give the arepas a crispy finish.

Serve & Enjoy

Pair your arepas with Colombian ají, guacamole, or a traditional suero costeño sauce. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!