Easy Chicken Empanadas

By Heather

4.17 from 18 votes

May 04, 2016, Updated Mar 09, 2023

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Easy Chicken Empanadas are a little cheesy, spicy, and delicious, making them the perfect party food. 

Several empanadas on a table with guacamole.
Chicken Empanadas


 

Easy Chicken Empanadas are on my must make list for Cinco de Mayo. I want to share these little pockets full of fiesta flavors; chicken, cheese, green chilies, and Rotel tomatoes. Finger size food makes me happy and we deserve a little happiness this first week of May. Not to mention May is my birthday month so it’s kinda the best month ever. 🙂

Empanadas on a baking sheet

What is an empanada?

Empanadas are stuffed breads either baked or fried. They are made by folding dough over a stuffing.

How to make chicken empanadas:

These little guys are simple to make. I start off with a box of the refrigerated pie crusts you can find in the refrigerated biscuit section of the grocery store. Roll the crusts out on a floured surface and with a 3 inch cookie cutter, cut out a bunch of rounds. I can get about 15 per pie crust.

In a large bowl, mix chicken (I took the easy way out and used rotisserie), green chilies, Rotel, cream cheese, green onion, shredded cheese and salt and pepper.

Mix it up and place a teaspoon of the filling in the center of each round. Brush a little water around each round and then fold pie crust over the mixture and then pinch together with the back of a fork. Brush with a little of the beaten egg and pop in the oven.

I usually serve the chicken empanadas with some salsa, sour cream and guacamole for people to dip or spread on top of the empanadas.

Baked empanadas on a baking sheet

Can you freeze empanadas?

Yes! Place a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Lay unbaked empanadas on the sheet and then freeze until solid. Place them in a freezer bag and store for up to 3 months.

empanadas recipe

Be sure to check out this list of 20 delicious empanada recipes.

More Appetizers

Chicken empanadas on a plate with guacamole.
4.17 from 18 votes

Easy Chicken Empanadas

By Heather
Easy Chicken Empanadas are a little cheesy, spicy, and delicious, making them the perfect party food. 
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Servings: 24 Empanadas
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Ingredients 

  • 1 box refrigerated pie crusts
  • 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
  • 1 4.5 oz can diced green chilis
  • 1/2 cup Tomatoes with green chili, drained I used Rotel
  • 1/4 cup diced green onions
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 egg, beaten

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl, combine chicken, cream cheese, shredded cheese, green chilies, tomatoes with green chilies, green onions, salt and pepper. Stir until well combined.
  • Unroll one pie crust on a lightly floured surface. 
  • Using a 3-inch biscuit or cookie cutter, cut out rounds. Re-roll dough as needed.
  • Repeat using both pie crusts in package.
  • Lightly brush the outer edge of each round with water. 
  • Place one heaping teaspoon of chicken mixture in the center of each round. 
  • Fold dough over the filling and press edges together with a fork to seal.
  • Repeat with remaining rounds and mixture.
  • Place the empanadas on baking sheet and light brush the tops with beaten egg. 
  • Bake for 12-15 minutes. 

Notes

These can be frozen. 

Nutrition

Calories: 51kcal | Protein: 4g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 86mg | Potassium: 50mg | Vitamin A: 125IU | Vitamin C: 0.7mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican
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12 Comments

  2. 5 stars
    Fantastic recipe! I made them last night to impress the boyfriend with my cooking skills and it worked 😉

    Any suggestions as to what to do with the chicken mixture that is leftover? It’s so delicious, I don’t want it to go to waste…

    🙂

    Reply

    1. So happy you enjoyed it! I love wrapping the mixture up in tortillas and then baking like an enchilada. You could also use it for stuffed peppers or Mexican stuffed shells.

      Reply

  3. Thank you so much for linking at #overthemoon! I look forward to seeing what you share every week. Please come back for #WonderfulWednesday or #ThursdayFavoriteThings. Don’t forget to comment your link #’s so I can be sure to visit and you get a chance to be featured! Pinned and shared.

    Reply

  5. 5 stars
    These look wonderful. I am spoiled and use rotisserie chicken in a lot of recipes. It is so easy and always moist. I love finger foods and pinned this to make. We are hosting a big party in a few weeks and will add this to the appetizers. Just discovered your blog and so many awesome looking recipes! I will come back and spend more time here.

    Reply

  6. 5 stars
    Yum! I just love these flavors! I make a southwest eggroll with similar ingredients. These empanadas would be a great alternative and easier to bake these instead of fry eggrolls!
    And Happy Birthday month to you! 🙂

    Reply