Car dinner
A sealed-up handpie that eats clean buckled in on the way to the field.
Your kid bites into a golden pocket and the chicken and cheese stay tucked inside, not on their jersey.
The crimped edges keep everything sealed, so it is a real dinner eaten over a lap on the drive.
Ingredients
The ingredient list for car dinner chicken empanada pockets assumes makes 8 pockets and about 40 minutes.
- 2 cups cooked chicken, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese
- 1/3 cup salsa or diced tomato
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 refrigerated pie crusts or 8 empanada discs
- 1 egg, beaten, for brushing
How to Make It
Use these steps for car dinner chicken empanada pockets when dinner has to move without a larger kitchen project.
- Heat the oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Mix the chicken, cheese, salsa, cumin, and salt into a thick filling.
- Roll out the pie crusts and cut into eight 5-inch rounds, or use empanada discs.
- Spoon filling onto one half of each round, fold it over into a half-moon, and press the edges with a fork to seal.
- Brush the tops with beaten egg and bake 20 to 22 minutes until golden. Cool before packing for the car.
Pack It Cold and Tidy
Chicken and cheese fillings need to stay cold once the pockets cool, so pack them on ice for the ride.
- Cool the pockets fully, then pack them against two ice packs
- Keep cold food at 40F or below, and do not leave it out longer than 2 hours
- They are great at room temp, so just eat within that 2-hour window
What Stays Crisp (and What Gets Soggy)
A sealed crust keeps these neat and handheld, perfect for eating buckled in.
- Cool them on a rack so the bottoms stay flaky, not steamy
- Press the edges well so the filling does not leak out in the bag
- Pack any dipping salsa in a sealed cup so the crust stays crisp
- Serve with: salsa for dipping, a side of corn
Parent Tip
Seal the edges firmly with a fork; a tight crimp keeps the filling tucked inside on the drive.
Make It Fit Tonight
Small Tweaks That Help This Dinner Land
Make them beef
Swap in seasoned ground beef for a heartier pocket.
Add black beans and corn
Fold a scoop into the filling for color and extra fiber.
Go cheese and ham
A simple ham and cheese filling is a hit with younger kids.
Make them mild
Use plain diced tomato instead of salsa for a gentler flavor.
Try a breakfast version
Fill with scrambled egg, cheese, and sausage for an early game day.
Plan The Next Step
Plan the eat-in-the-car nights
Use the planner to find the rushed evenings where dinner happens between two stops.