Description

Easy, handheld chicken and cheese empanada pockets made with store-bought pie crusts. Perfect for school lunches as they taste great cold or at room temperature.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups shredded chicken (rotisserie, poached, or grilled)
4 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
1 ½ cups shredded cheese (mix of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack)
½ cup black beans (rinsed and drained)
1 teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste
2 packages refrigerated pie crusts (thawed)
1 large egg (beaten, for egg wash)
Flour (for dusting surface)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, cream cheese, shredded cheese, black beans, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until evenly distributed and set aside.
Unroll pie crusts onto a lightly floured surface and press flat.
Cut circles from the dough (approx. 4 inches in diameter). You should get 8-10 circles.
Place a circle of dough on your work surface and add 2-3 tablespoons of filling to the center.
Brush the edges with water or egg wash, then fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape.
Press edges firmly to seal, then crimp with a fork.
Poke 2-3 small holes in the top of each pocket to vent steam.
Place pockets on the prepared baking sheet and brush tops with remaining egg wash.
Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and puffy, rotating pan halfway through.
Cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before serving or packing.

Notes

Do not overfill the pockets to prevent leaking. Ensure the filling is well-seasoned as the dough is bland. These can be frozen after baking for up to 3 months. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pie crusts. For a vegan option, use milk or water instead of egg wash and substitute chicken with tofu or chickpeas.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Category: Lunch
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 empanada pocket
Calories: 220
Sugar: 1
Sodium: 350
Fat: 10
Saturated Fat: 4
Carbohydrates: 18
Fiber: 1
Protein: 12

Keywords: chicken empanadas, school lunch ideas, easy lunch, chicken pockets, meal prep, kid-friendly recipes, rotisserie chicken recipes