Spicy Chicken Empanadas

INGREDIENTS

• 1 whole chicken breast (1 pound), skin removed
• 1/2 white onion, halved
• 1 dried bay leaf
• 1 fresh poblano chile
• 6 cups (48 ounces) vegetable oil
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon ground canela (Mexican cinnamon) or regular cinnamon
• 4 canned plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped
• 2 canned chipotle chiles in adobo, coarsely chopped
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon pepitas (pumpkin seeds), toasted and coarsely chopped
• Empanada Dough
• 1/2 cup shredded queso blanco
• 1/4 cup sugar, for sprinkling
• Crema pura or sour cream, for serving (optional)