Easy (Yet Awesome) Chicken Empanadas

• cooked chicken↗1 1⁄2 - 2 cups

  I like to shred a rotisserie chicken

• Mexican blend cheese↗1 cup

  shredded

• green chilies↗1 can

  chopped (I use Old El Paso)

• black beans↗1 can

  drained and rinsed well

• small onion↗1

  chopped

• garlic cloves↗2 -3

  chopped (can use more or less depending on your liking)

• vegetable oil↗1⁄4 cup

  should just coat the bottom of the pan

• dried oregano↗1 1⁄2 teaspoons
• cayenne pepper↗1⁄4 teaspoon
• ground cumin↗1 teaspoon
• chili flakes↗1 teaspoon

  can adjust to your liking

• salt↗

  to taste

• pepper↗

  to taste

• chicken stock↗1⁄4 cup
• pie crusts3

  prepared (I use the Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crusts)

• egg yolks, beaten↗3
• teaspoon chili powder↗1 -2

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 400F degrees.

2. 2

   Heat oil over med-high heat in a large skillet.

3. 3

   Saute onions and garlic about 4 minutes, until onions are translucent.

4. 4

   Add cumin, cayenne pepper, chili flakes and dried oregano. Make sure to mix well and cook for 2-3 minutes.

5. 5

   Add black beans, chicken and green chilies. Salt and pepper to taste. Cook for around 2 minutes until incorporated and heated through.

6. 6

   Add chicken stock a little at a time, just to moisten the mixture. You may not need to use the entire 1/4 Cup. You want to make sure that the mixture is moist but not soupy. Simmer for about 5-7 minutes.

7. 7

   Take mixture off burner and let cool to room temperature.

8. 8

   Add cheese and mix thoroughly.

9. 9

   Roll out dough onto floured surface.

10. 10

    Cut 4" circles out of the dough (I like to use a medium sized cereal bowl to cut the circles, but you can make yours smaller or larger).

11. 11

    Fill the middle of each circle with about 1.5 - 2 Tbl of the mixture. Don't overfill. Fold each circle in half (sealing in the mixture) and crimp the ends with a fork to close the dough.

12. 12

    Brush tops with egg yolks and sprinkle with chili powder.

13. 13

    Cook for 12-14 minutes at 400°F.

14. 14

    Enjoy!