Do ahead: Filling can be made 3 days ahead. Keep chilled.
Unbaked empanadas can be made 3 months ahead; freeze on sheet
tray, then transfer to freezer bags and keep frozen.
Directions:
Bring chicken, bay leaves, and 2½ cups water to a simmer in a
medium pot over medium and cook until chicken is cooked through,
30-40 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate; discard bay leaves
and reserve broth. Let chicken sit until cool enough to handle,
then coarsely chop.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a large pot over medium and cook onion
and bell peppers, stirring, until tender but not browned, 6-8
minutes; season with salt and black pepper. Stir in tomato
paste and cook until brick red, 1-2 minutes. Add paprika,
oregano, and cayenne and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about
1 minute. Add reserved broth and chicken along with any
accumulated juices to pot. Stir in 4 tsp. salt and ¼ tsp. black
pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring and scraping up
any brown bits, until most of the liquid is evaporated, 15-20
minutes; taste and season with salt and black pepper, if needed.
Transfer to a medium bowl, cover, and chill at least 3 hours.
Preheat oven to 375°. Let dough sit at room temperature
15 minutes to temper. Remove 6 rounds from package, keeping
plastic divider underneath, and arrange on a work surface.
Place 2 Tbsp. filling in the center of each round. Brush water
around half of outer edge of each round. Using plastic divider
to help you, fold round over filling and pinch edges to seal.
Using a fork, crimp edges. Remove plastic and transfer empanada
to a parchment-lined sheet tray, spacing 1" apart. Repeat with
remaining rounds (you'll get about 12 empanadas on each tray).
Bake empanadas, rotating tray halfway through, until golden
brown and slightly darker around the edges, 25-35 minutes.