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–+ servings
chicken empanadas

Best Ever Chicken and Cheese Empanadas

Meat Based
We’ve had who knows how many empanadas in the past year. And while most are good, there’s those few that go beyond good to “Oh wow, this is incredible! I’ll have 4 at once…”And these are just like that! Sooo much flavor in these little guys that you won’t be able to stop at eating just a couple
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Dinner
Servings 24 empanadas
Diet Meat Based

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Chicken breasts
  • 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
  • 2.5 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1/2 Red bell pepper
  • 1/2 Green bell pepper
  • 1 Small white onion
  • 8 oz Mexican cheese blend
  • 6 oz Light cream cheese
  • 1 tbsp Cumin
  • 1.5 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1.5 tsp Chili powder
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Cayenne
  • 2 tbsp Hot sauce
  • 24 Pre-made empanadas dough rounds
  • 1 tbsp Water
  • 6-8 tbsp Achiote oil / oil infused with peppers /vegetable oil
  • Salsa / guacamole / sour cream to serve

Instructions
 

  • Season chicken on both sides with 1 Tbsp Cajun seasoning per breast.
  • Sauté chicken in 1.5 Tbsp olive oil over medium high heat until cooked through. Remove from heat and let cool.
  • Once cooled, shred chicken into small pieces and place in large bowl.
  • Sauté peppers and onions in 1 Tbsp olive oil over medium high heat about 5 min or until softened and just starting to brown.
  • Add peppers and onions to bowl with chicken.
  • Add cheeses through to hot sauce into bowl with chicken and veggies and mix thoroughly. Taste mixture and adjust spices as desired.
  • Place 1 empanada dough round at a time on flat surface.
  • Place about 1.5-2 Tbsp chicken filling in center of dough.
  • Dip finger into water and run along edges of empanada to dampen slightly (this helps dough to stick to itself).
  • Fold dough over filling and press edges together. Using a fork press down on edges all the way around the half moon to fully close empanada shell and give a decorative seal. Flip empanada over and repeat on other side to ensure a good seal.
  • Continue until you’ve made 24 empanadas or used all of your chicken.
  • Heat 2 Tbsp achiote oil over high heat until lightly bubbling.
  • Pan fry empanadas 3-4 at a time about 2 min on each side or until crunchy on both sides.
  • Remove and drain on paper towels.Continue until all empanadas are fried. Pour more oil in sauté pan as needed.
  • Serve with salsa, guacamole, and/or sour cream as desired

Nutrition

Calories: 116kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 7gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 208mgPotassium: 139mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 571IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 126mgIron: 1mg
Keyword oven, pastry, picnic, spicy, Stovetop
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