SPICY CHICKEN EMPANADAS WITH ORANGE SALSA VERDE

Spicy Chicken Empanadas with Orange Salsa Verde image

Provided by Food Network

Time 43m

Yield 10 to 12 empanadas

Number Of Ingredients 18

Previous Next

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
1 can diced green chiles
1/2 jalapeno, seeded and finely diced, optional
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 rotisserie chicken, picked and finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
2 cups grated pepper jack cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Prepared pie dough
1 egg mixed with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash
Peanut oil, for fryer
Orange Salsa Verde dipping sauce, recipe follows
1 jar prepared salsa verde
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper or 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco)

Steps:

Heat vegetable oil in a medium saute pan, add onions, green chiles, jalapenos, garlic and cumin and saute until onions are translucent.
In large bowl combine chicken, lime juice and cilantro. Add the onion-chili mixture and mix. Stir in cheese and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Using a 4-inch ring mold, cut circles from prepared pie dough. Put about 1 tablespoon of the chicken mixture in center of dough. Brush egg wash around circumference of the dough. Fold top half over to form a half circle. Seal with the tines of a fork.
Heat a deep-fryer to 325 degrees F. with peanut oil. Submerge a few empanadas into oil until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels. Cool slightly and serve with Orange Salsa Verde dipping sauce.
In a large bowl combine all ingredients.