Easy Chicken Empanadas

A definite party pleaser, these easy chicken empanadas (pastelillos as Puerto Ricans call them) are so delicious! I promise that you will receive rave reviews. They are so tasty with the right amount of heat to them. I don't like spicy items and this recipe is perfection balancing flavor and spice. Enjoy!

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 377 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 quart vegetable oil for frying
• 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 (4 ounce) jar chopped pimento peppers
• 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken, or more to taste
• 1 jalapeno pepper, diced, or more to taste
• 10 frozen empanada discs, thawed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Mix chicken with Mexican cheese blend, pimentos, green chiles, onion, mayonnaise, and jalapeno.

Step 3

Place about 1 tablespoon of the mixture into the center of each empanada disc. Run a wet finger around the rim of each disc. Fold into a half-moon shape and press edges together with a fork to seal well.

Step 4

Fry 1 to 2 empanadas at a time in the hot oil until brown, 1 to 2 minutes per batch.