Spicy Chicken Empanadas (Paula Deen)

Submitted by mailbelle

"DH and I watched Paula Deen make these today and he's anxious for me to try them now! These were served at Paula's surprise 60th birthday party. Using a rotisserie chicken from the deli and refrigerated pie crust for the dough are great shortcuts."

 

• Ready In: 35mins
• Ingredients: 14
• Yields: 10-12 empanadas

ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 (4 1/4 ounce) can diced green chilies
• 1⁄2 jalapeno, seeded and finely diced (optional)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 rotisserie-cooked chicken, picked and finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1⁄4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 cups grated monterey jack pepper cheese
• salt & freshly ground black pepper
• prepared pie dough
• 1 egg, mixed with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash
• peanut oil, for fryer

directions

1. Heat vegetable oil in a medium saute pan; add onions, green chiles, jalapenos, garlic and cumin and saute until onions are translucent.
2. In large bowl combine chicken, lime juice and cilantro. Add the onion-chili mixture and mix. Stir in cheese and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
3. Using a 4-inch ring mold (biscuit cutter), cut circles from prepared pie dough. Put about 1 tablespoon of the chicken mixture in center of dough. Brush egg wash around circumference of the dough. Fold top half over to form a half circle. Seal with the tines of a fork.
4. Heat a deep-fryer to 325 degrees with peanut oil. Submerge a few empanadas into oil until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Reviews

[Busy Mom of Twins]

I made these for dinner the other night. The filling made enough for at least 20 empanadas. I followed the recipe exactly, so I am not sure why I had so much. I even filled the pastries with two tablespoons of filling. I did feel that the filling was lacking in spice a bit - maybe needed more salt and something else. I also used the Goya brand empanada wrappers you can buy in the frozen section. I also baked them at 350 for 20 minutes rather than frying because one of my daughter's has a peanut allergy. My husband and I really liked them, but the girls weren't thrilled.

 

[rosslare]

Tasty! I used only 2 cups chicken, 2 ts cumin and added some jalapeno brine from the jar.