Delicious and easy to make chicken and cheese empanadas that will be a hit with your loved ones!

Baked Chicken and Cheese Empanadas

I enjoy showing love to my family through food. It doesn’t matter if it’s a simple treat, they always look forward to mom’s creations. As my children get older, I also enjoy sharing recipes from my childhood with them.

I truly believe that every recipe has a story, and food is one of my favorite ways to share my culture with my family. Today’s chicken and cheese empanada recipe is simple yet full of flavor.

Growing up, we called them pastelillos or empanadaillas. I remember buying them for less than a dollar at hole-in-the-wall restaurants when we lived in Puerto Rico.

I’ve never been a fan of spending hours in the kitchen, so simple recipes that my family enjoys are my go-to, and this is one of them. 

Plus less time in the kitchen means I can spend more time gathered around the table with my loved ones.

The combination of cheese and yogurt keeps the chicken mixture creamy even after the empanada is baked.

You can also prepare these empanadas ahead and freeze them until ready to bake.

This little one decided to dig in and refuel after a fun afternoon of gymnastics practice.

What are some of your family’s favorite recipes? As always, I’d love to hear from you!