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Effortless Chicken Empanadas: Your New Go-To for Quick and Delicious Family Dinners
Growing up, few things brought as much joy to our dinner table as my mom’s homemade chicken empanadas. The golden, crispy pastry enveloping a savory, perfectly seasoned chicken filling was an absolute delight. However, these culinary masterpieces were reserved for special occasions like holidays or rare weekend treats, precisely because they were so incredibly time-consuming to prepare. My mom would meticulously select a whole chicken, season it just right, and then bake it for what felt like an eternity – often an hour or more, depending on the number of hungry mouths she was feeding. For years, I followed a similar arduous process in my own kitchen, cherishing the flavor but dreading the prep work that accompanied it.
That all changed a few months ago, and my weeknight meal game has been revolutionized ever since! My “aha!” moment arrived during a routine shopping trip to Walmart when I spotted the Marketside Rotisserie Chicken. It was an instant realization: this perfectly cooked, flavorful chicken was the ultimate shortcut I needed to bring those cherished empanada memories back to life, effortlessly! The thought of bypassing the entire chicken cooking process – the seasoning, the baking, the waiting – was incredibly exciting. And to make the meal even more convenient and complete, I grabbed a Marketside Classic Potato Salad and a 2-liter Coca-Cola. Suddenly, a festive meal that once took hours to prepare could be on the table in minutes. Walmart’s easy-to-spot signage for these “Effortless Meals” truly makes finding dinner solutions a breeze for anyone, especially on those hectic weeknights when time is a precious commodity.
Why Walmart’s Marketside Rotisserie Chicken is a Game-Changer for Busy Families
The beauty of Walmart’s Marketside Rotisserie Chicken, often priced at an unbeatable $4.98, extends far beyond just making empanadas. It represents a cornerstone of the “Effortless Meals” philosophy – providing convenient, delicious, and affordable options that fit seamlessly into even the busiest schedules. For parents navigating the back-to-school chaos, or anyone looking to reclaim their evenings, this rotisserie chicken is a lifesaver. It’s pre-cooked, perfectly seasoned, and ready to be transformed into countless dishes, or enjoyed as is. Its tender, juicy meat is the ideal base for so many recipes, from salads and sandwiches to soups and, of course, these delectable empanadas. Paired with fresh Marketside sides and a refreshing Coca-Cola, it ensures that dinner is not just a necessity, but a positive, stress-free experience for the whole family.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through simple, step-by-step instructions to create these incredible chicken empanadas. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can prepare a delicious, satisfying meal that tastes like it took hours, but only took minutes thanks to the magic of Marketside. Say goodbye to dinnertime stress and hello to more quality family time and incredible flavor!
Ingredients for Your Effortless Chicken Empanadas
Gathering your ingredients for these easy chicken empanadas is a breeze, especially when Walmart is your one-stop shop for everything you need. Here’s what you’ll need to create this fantastic, time-saving meal:
- 1 Marketside Rotisserie Chicken from Walmart: Choose your preferred flavor (classic, lemon pepper, herb) to add a distinct base note to your filling. This is the star of our dish, saving you significant cooking time and infusing immediate flavor.
- 1 Package of Frozen Empanada Discs (Discos): These pre-made pastry discs are a crucial shortcut, eliminating the need for tedious dough preparation. You can typically find them in the frozen section of most grocery stores, often near the international foods or frozen pastries.
- Canola Oil (or other high smoke point oil like vegetable, peanut, or sunflower oil): Essential for achieving that perfect golden-brown, crispy exterior when frying your empanadas.
- Optional Flavor Enhancers: A pinch of salt, freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, or a dash of your favorite smoky paprika can elevate the chicken filling. For a more robust flavor and texture, consider adding a tablespoon of finely chopped onion or bell pepper, quickly sautéed before mixing with the chicken, if you have a few extra minutes.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Quick Chicken Empanadas
Let’s turn that convenient rotisserie chicken into a batch of crispy, flavorful empanadas that will have everyone asking for more!
Step 1: Defrost Your Empanada Discs
This crucial first step ensures your pastry discs are pliable and easy to work with. Remove the package of frozen empanada discs from the freezer and lay them out on a clean counter or plate. Allow them to sit at room temperature for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until they are soft enough to separate easily without tearing or cracking. If you’re in a hurry, you can carefully microwave them for a few seconds (about 10-15 seconds) at a time, checking frequently, until they reach the desired flexibility. Be careful not to over-microwave, as they can become gummy or cook prematurely.
Step 2: Prepare Your Rotisserie Chicken for the Filling
Place your freshly acquired Marketside Rotisserie Chicken on a clean cutting board. The chicken should still be warm, making the meat easier to remove. Carefully separate all the meat from the bones and skin. This process is surprisingly quick since the chicken is already cooked to perfection. Discard the bones and skin, or, if you’re feeling ambitious, save the bones for a future homemade stock! Ensure you gather as much tender, juicy meat as possible, as it’s all destined for our delicious empanada filling.
Step 3: Shred the Chicken to Create the Perfect Filling
Once you have separated the chicken meat, it’s time to shred it into small, manageable pieces. You can achieve this easily using two forks to pull the meat apart, or even with your clean hands for a more tactile approach. The goal is to have finely shredded chicken that will evenly distribute within each empanada, ensuring a consistent and satisfying bite. If desired, this is the perfect opportunity to add any extra seasonings like a pinch of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, or even a dash of your favorite hot sauce or a sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro to give your filling an extra layer of flavor. Mix well to ensure the seasonings are thoroughly incorporated throughout the shredded chicken.
Step 4: Fill the Empanada Discs with Prepared Chicken
Take one defrosted empanada disc and lay it flat on a clean, lightly floured surface or a piece of parchment paper. Place approximately one tablespoon of your shredded, seasoned chicken mixture directly in the center of the disc. It’s important to be mindful not to overfill, as this can make sealing the empanada difficult and may cause it to burst during frying. A good rule of thumb is to leave a clear border of about half an inch around the edges of the disc, which will allow for proper sealing.
Step 5: Fold and Securely Seal the Empanadas
Carefully fold the empanada disc in half, bringing one edge over to meet the other, creating a perfect semi-circle shape. Gently align the edges and press them together with your fingers to begin the sealing process. To create the classic empanada crimp and ensure a secure seal that prevents the delicious filling from escaping during cooking, take a fork and gently press along the entire curved edge of the pastry. This not only seals the empanada effectively but also creates a beautiful, rustic, and professional-looking pattern. Repeat this filling and sealing process with the remaining discs and chicken mixture until all your empanadas are ready for frying.
Step 6: Preheat Oil and Fry to Golden Perfection
In a deep pan, Dutch oven, or a heavy-bottomed skillet, pour enough canola oil (or your chosen high smoke point oil) to cover at least half of an empanada, usually about 1.5 to 2 inches deep. Heat the oil over medium-high heat for about three minutes, or until it reaches approximately 350-375°F (175-190°C). You can test the oil’s readiness by dropping a tiny piece of leftover pastry into it; it should sizzle immediately and float to the surface. Carefully place a few empanadas into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan, as this can lower the oil temperature and result in greasy empanadas. Fry them for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they achieve a beautiful, even golden-brown color and the pastry appears crispy and cooked through. Once cooked, use tongs or a slotted spoon to carefully remove the empanadas and place them on a plate generously lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil, ensuring a perfectly crispy finish.
Step 7: Serve Your Effortless Meal with Marketside Sides and Coca-Cola
Your delicious, homemade-tasting chicken empanadas are now ready to be savored! For a truly effortless and satisfying meal experience, serve them alongside a generous helping of Walmart Marketside Classic Potato Salad. The creamy texture and tangy flavor of the potato salad provide a wonderful contrast to the crispy, savory empanadas. And, of course, complete this perfect meal with an ice-cold glass of Coca-Cola. This combination creates a perfect balance of savory, creamy, and refreshing flavors, making for a truly complete, convenient, and utterly delicious dinner experience that the whole family will love. Enjoy the compliments, and the extra time you gained!
Beyond Empanadas: Explore Walmart Marketside Effortless Meals for Every Occasion
While our chicken empanadas are a testament to the incredible versatility and convenience of Walmart’s Marketside Rotisserie Chicken, the “Effortless Meals” range offers a treasure trove of other fantastic options designed for busy lifestyles. When you’re looking for dinner solutions that save time without compromising on quality or flavor, Marketside has you covered. Beyond their fantastic rotisserie chickens, you’ll discover a variety of fresh, ready-to-cook pizzas that can be easily grilled or baked, perfect for a quick family pizza night. Imagine getting back into the swing of the back-to-school routine, or winding down after a long workday, and knowing that a delicious, hot pizza is just minutes away from being served.
Marketside also boasts an impressive selection of classic deli sides, like creamy macaroni salad and, of course, the ever-popular potato salad. These sides are prepared fresh daily and are ideal for busy parents on-the-go, providing healthy and satisfying accompaniments to any meal. Whether you’re packing lunches for the week, planning a spontaneous picnic, or simply need a quick, delicious side dish to complement your main course, these options offer both unparalleled convenience and consistent quality. The entire Marketside range is curated to help you create positive mealtime experiences, reducing stress and increasing enjoyment around the dinner table. They empower you to make fresh, wholesome choices even when time is tight, ensuring that delicious and healthy meals are always within reach.
Your Next Effortless Meal Awaits!
Ready to simplify your meal planning and savor more delicious moments? Discover more amazing effortless meal inspiration and see how Walmart Marketside products can transform your kitchen routine. From savory main courses to delectable sides, the possibilities are endless for creating quick, high-quality family dinners. We’d love to hear from you: What Marketside product would you pick for your next effortless family meal? Share your ideas and let us know how you create convenient, delicious dinners that bring joy to your table without all the fuss!