Pollo Fundido Cups are made with wonton wrappers filled with shredded chicken and topped with melted cheese. This is an easy and much lighter version of a popular dish served at some of our favorite Mexican restaurants, and we absolutely love it!
As an Arizona native, I've been to tons of Mexican restaurants. When I was growing up, we ate out at least once a week, and I was always thrilled when my parents chose Mexican food, although Italian food was definitely another favorite!
I used to love chimichangas - shredded beef or chicken wrapped up in flour tortillas and deep fried until golden brown. These were topped with sour cream and guacamole, and oh, they were amazing!
They also probably had a billion calories, but still, they were good.
My favorite type of chimichanga was the pollo fundido, which is basically a chicken chimi on steroids! You see, on top of the chicken layer is a layer of cream cheese spiked with jalapeno peppers. And on top of the whole thing is a layer of melted cheddar cheese and usually, some extra sour cream -- yum!
And don't even try to count calories on this!
Every local Mexican restaurant seems to have a unique version of the pollo fundido. Some include a creamy sauce over the whole thing, and some don't. Since I've become slightly addicted to making easy muffin tin recipes, I thought it would be fun to make a lighter version of this classic dish.
I layer wonton wrappers in muffin tins, and then I add some cooked, shredded chicken that I've seasoned with salt and pepper. I don' t use a lot of seasonings here because the restaurant versions I've had are not heavily spiced.
I usually use chicken that I've cooked in the Crock-Pot, along with some onions and garlic. You could also buy rotisserie chicken and add garlic powder, salt, pepper and minced onions for flavor.
I add some cream cheese and chopped jalapeno peppers to the chicken, and then I top it off with plenty of shredded cheddar cheese.
I usually add a heaping mound of shredded cheddar so that it melts into a nice, thick cheesy layer over the cream cheese.
How to Make Pollo Fundido Cups
Recipe
Pollo Fundido Cups
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 24 wonton wrappers
- 8 oz cream cheese softened - not whipped
- 1-2 tablespoons finely chopped jalapeno peppers
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
- lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin
- Fit 2 wonton wrappers into each cup
- Season chicken with salt and pepper
- Add about 1 tablespoon of chicken in the wonton wrappers
- Mix jalapenos with cream cheese
- Spread about 1 tablespoon of cream cheese over chicken in each cup
- Top with mounds of shredded cheese
- Bake at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes, or until wrappers are crispy and cheese is melted
Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.
Nutrition
The wonton wrappers get crisp in the oven and really taste like they've been deep fried. And the cheese melts into two perfect layers. So, you're basically getting a much lighter version of the amazing pollo fundido -- Mmmm, this is truly delicious!
I like to top these little pollo fundido cups with sour cream, cilantro and tomatoes, and then it's time to dig right in!
I hope you enjoy these tasty little morsels as much as we do.
Have a super day!
Karen says
Hi Dee, how do you make your chicken in the crock pot for this recipe? Plan on these for Super Bowl day.
Dee says
Hi Karen. Here's the link to my Crock-Pot Chicken Recipe. I also updated the post with the link. I hope you enjoy them! 🙂
Sadie says
I made these for dinner, meant to take a picture but they were all gone before I had a chance. I added a little taco seasoning to the chicken but it wasn't needed. My kids asked when I could make it again! 🙂
Dee says
That's awesome, Sadie! You just made my day! 🙂
Anna @ Anna Can Do It! says
I love this! Finally not the same old pasta meal, that's just what I needed now! Great idea, thank you for sharing! Can't wait to try them out! - Love, Anna
Dee says
Thanks, Anna. I hope you like them as much as we do. 🙂
Miz Helen says
These will be great appetizers! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday. Have a great weekend and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Janet Vinyard says
Hi Dee, Pollo fundido is one of my favorite things to order in a Mexican Restaurant so I'm happy to see your recipe and looking forward to trying it soon! Thanks for sharing! Blessings, Janet
Dee says
I love these because they're smaller than the restaurant kind. Let me know how you like them. 🙂
Sara Syrett says
Oh these look so yummy! I'm going to have to try these out!
Dee says
They're super easy -- I hope you enjoy them! 🙂
Laura Ingalls Gunn says
Oh Dee I cannot wait to make this delicious recipe!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Dee says
Thanks, Laura. I'm making it again for an easy dinner tomorrow! 🙂
Ann says
I agree that this looks so amazing! I've always made the mini lasagna in wonton cups and using chicken gives the wonton a good variation. Yum. ????
Dee says
Thanks, Ann. I've got to try your mini lasagnas next -- they sound delicious!
Erin - Suburban Simplicity says
I love this recipe, Dee! Making appetizers with wonton wrappers is one of my favorite things to do. But Chicken and Cheese...yum!! You should come link these up at Welcome Home Wednesdays! Party is open! Have a lovely weekend!
Dee says
Thanks, Erin. Chicken and cheese is always a hit in my house! 🙂