Easy Chicken Empanadas

Prep:  35 Minutes
Total Time:  1 Hours  5 Minutes
Servings:  12

Ingredient List

  • 3/4 cup chopped cooked chicken
  • 1/2 cup sliced green onions
  • 1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (2 oz)
  • 1 can (4 oz) Old El Paso™ Chopped Green Chiles
  • 2 oz cream cheese (from 8-oz package), softened
  • 4 teaspoons from 1 packet (.85 oz) Old El Paso™ Chicken Taco Seasoning Mix
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon water
  • 1 box (14.1 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Pie Crusts (2 Count), softened as directed on box
  • Guacamole, if desired
  • Salsa, if desired

Preparation

  1. Heat oven to 375°F. Line large rimmed pan with cooking parchment paper. In medium bowl, mix chicken, green onions, cheese, chiles, cream cheese and taco seasoning mix. In small bowl, mix egg and water.
  2. Unroll one of the pie crusts. Using 4 1/2-inch football cookie cutter, cut out 12 footballs from crust, rerolling dough scraps together as necessary. Repeat with second pie crust, to total 24 footballs.
  3. Place about 2 tablespoons filling in center of football; spread slightly to create even layer on dough with 1/4-inch border around all sides. Brush egg wash around outer edge of football, then gently stretch second dough football and place over top; using fork, crimp edges to seal together. Repeat with remaining pieces of dough. Place on pan.
  4. Using paring knife, score laces into top of each empanada.
  5. Brush tops with egg wash. Bake 27 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with guacamole and salsa.

Expert Tips

  • We used rotisserie chicken for this Easy Chicken Empanadas recipe, but feel free to use leftover chicken breasts or thighs.
  • Don’t have a football-shaped cutter for your chicken empanadas? Use a pliable 3 1/2-inch round cutter, and bend into the shape of a football.

Nutrition

  • 1 Empanada Calories 200 (Calories from Fat 110);  Total Fat 12g (Saturated Fat 5g ,Trans Fat 0g);  Cholesterol 40mg;  Sodium 350mg;  Potassium 50mg;  Total Carbohydrate 18g (Dietary Fiber 0g ,Sugars 0g);  Protein 5g
  • % Daily Value: Vitamin A 6%;  Vitamin C 4%;  Calcium 4%;  Iron 2%
  • Exchanges: 1 Starch;  2 1/2 Fat
  • Carbohydrate Choice: 1
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet