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–+ servings
Clara Whitley

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Empanadas

Enjoy crispy empanadas filled with savory seasoned chicken and a zesty cilantro lime crema, all made conveniently in the air fryer for a lighter twist on a classic dish.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 8 empanadas
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the empanadas
  • 2 cups shredded cooked chicken can use rotisserie chicken
  • 1 cup diced bell peppers any color
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 package pre-made empanada dough found in the freezer section
  • Cooking spray for air frying
For the creamy cilantro lime crema
  • ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt for a healthier option
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 lime Juice of
  • 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Salt to taste

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the onions and bell peppers until tender, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Toss in the shredded chicken, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well and let the flavors meld together for about 4-5 minutes.
  4. While the filling cools, take the empanada dough out of the packaging and roll them out slightly larger if using round disks.
  5. Spoon a generous amount of the chicken mixture onto one half of each dough circle, fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape, and press the edges securely to seal.
Cooking
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Lightly spray the empanadas with cooking spray and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, cooking in batches if necessary.
  3. Cook for about 12-15 minutes until golden brown and crispy, flipping halfway through.
Making the cilantro lime crema
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, and chopped cilantro. Stir until well blended and season with salt.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 15gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 350mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2g

Notes

These empanadas can be frozen unbaked and cooked straight from frozen, adding extra minutes to the cooking time. For more flavor, consider adding jalapeños to the filling.

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