Chicken Tamale Pie is a family friendly South-of-the-border inspired dish made with ingredients that are easy to find. A chicken filling is sprinkled with cheese then covered with a layer of cornbread and baked until golden. While it bakes, whip-up a batch of homemade pico de gallo to go on top and it’s a homestyle fiesta that won’t break the bank.
What Is A Tamale?
Tamales are a traditional Spanish dish that are made using Masa, a starchy dough, usually corn based. The “tamal” is then boiled or steamed in dried corn husks. The flavor of a genuine, made from scratch tamale is truly out-of-this-world and one of our favorite Mexican dishes. They’re often sold by street vendors in Mexico, and filled with pork or chicken and then served with a green or red mole sauce.
Chicken Tamale Pie Is A Family Friendly Approach Tp Tamales For The Family
This tamale pie, takes a simpler approach than hand made tamales cooked in corn husks but, it hits all of the same flavor points with a sweet and spicy explosion of taste. The cornbread topping is sweet, and the spice and traditional flavors are in the creamy chicken filling. In this dish, I used chicken instead of pork, but the flavor palate is still intense and uniquely Mexican.
You may like to serve a delicious Roasted Mexican Corn or Easy Refried Beans along with this tamale pie. Just before serving, top it with pico de gallo, homemade salsa or spicy verde sauce would be delicious, too.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
- Mini Prep Food Processor
- Cut And Serve Spatula
- Stoneware Baker Set
- Box Grater With Storage
Chicken Tamale Pie
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time40 mins
Total Time45 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 small red onion chopped
- 1 medium jalapeno pepper chopped
- Olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 oz light whipped cream cheese
- 1 1/2 cup salsa
- 3/4 cup half & half
- 3 cups chopped roasted chicken
- 1 Tbsp chopped cilantro
- 1 Tbsp quality taco seasoning
- 1 tsp seasoned salt
- 2 cups shredded Mexican blend OR Monterey Jack cheese divided
- 2 7.5 oz box corn muffin mix
- 1 cup cream style corn
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 Tbsp butter melted
- pico de gallo for garnishing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 3 quart baking dish or oven safe skillet with cooking spray. Set aside.
- To make the filling: In a stove top saute pan, over medium-high heat, cook the onion and jalapeno in a couple drizzles of oil until softened and are beginning to brown. Season with salt and black pepper. Add the minced garlic and saute for 1 minute longer.
- To the pan add whipped cream cheese and salsa. Cook on medium-low just until the cream cheese has melted.
- Add half & half, chicken, cilantro, taco seasoning and seasoned salt to the pan. Stir just until the chicken is evenly coated with the sauce. Pour into the baking dish and sprinkle with 1 1/2 cup cheese.
- In a small mixing bowl, mix together corn muffin mix, cream style corn, buttermilk and butter until the ingredients are evenly moistened. Spread over filling. Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake at 375°F for 30-40 minutes or until the top is golden and the edges are bubbly. Test the center with a toothpick looking for moist crumbs.
- Serve with fresh pico de gallo and a dollop of sour cream, if desired.
Notes
- Use mild, medium or hot salsa, your personal preference.
- This tamale pie may be served with a mole sauce drizzled on top just before serving.
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