Island Bites: Puerto Rican Chicken Empanadas (Empanadillas de Pollo)

The empanada is a tasty and popular dish in Latin and Caribbean countries. It is a stuffed, flaky pastry in shape of a half-moon that is either baked or fried. There are different fillings for the empanadas in each country, with beef and chicken being the most popular.

In Puerto Rico, empanadas (also known as empanadillas) are fried treats, never baked. Empanadilla de carne (ground beef empanada) is Puerto Rico's favorite, but fish, crab, "pizza," and chicken empanadillas are also found in every kiosk around the Island.

• 3 boneless chicken breasts or thighs
• 2 tbs sofrito
• 2 tbs roasted red peppers, diced
• 1 bay leaf
• 8-10 olives, sliced
• 1 medium potato, diced
• 1 can Goya tomato sauce, or 3/4 cup tomato puree, or (2 tbs tomato paste + 1/2 cup of water)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 2 tbs oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• salt & pepper
• Water, if necessary

1. Add oil to a big skillet. Saute sofrito in hot oil for two minutes at medium-high temperature. Add tomato sauce, olives, peppers and spices. Mix and saute for another two minutes. Add salt & pepper.
2. Add chicken to the sauce and turn down the temperature. Cover and let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Remove the chicken from the sauce and let it rest for a minute or two. Shred the chicken.
4. Add the shredded chicken and small diced potatoes to the sauce. If necessary, add some water. Let it simmer uncovered until the sauce is reduced and the potatoes are fork tender.
5. Let it cool completely.

1. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out into a 1/8 inch layer.
2. Use a cutter or small plate to cut 5 to 6 inches circles or discs.
3. Put a scoop of the chicken filling in each dough disc, fold and seal the edges with a fork.
4. Heat two inches of oil in a skillet at medium-high temperature. Fry empanadas two or three minutes per side, until golden and crispy.

Tips:

• Pizza empanadas are also very popular among Puerto Ricans. To make pizza empanadas, just add your favorite marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese to your dough discs.
• To seal your empanadas you could pinch or twist the borders instead of using a fork.
• Annato oil can be added to the dough to give it color and flavor.

Check out this ground beef filling recipe: Puerto Rican Alcapurrias.