Homemade Chicken Tamales Recipe: Irresistibly Tasty Comfort Food

Crafting delicious chicken tamales brings pure comfort to your kitchen.

Mexican culinary traditions shine through this incredible dish.

Corn husks wrap tender, seasoned meat in a delightful embrace.

Generations have perfected these savory parcels with love and skill.

Authentic flavors meld together, creating something magical on your plate.

Soft, steamed masa holds spiced chicken in a warm, inviting package.

Each bite promises a celebration of traditional cooking that connects you to rich cultural roots.

You’ll want to savor every delectable morsel of this classic recipe.

Why Chicken Tamales Are a Crowd Favorite

• Discover Delicious Layers: Packed with tender shredded chicken, melty cheese, and vibrant peas and olives, these tamales offer a flavor explosion in every bite.
• Master Homemade Cooking: Learn a traditional Mexican technique that transforms simple ingredients into a stunning dish, perfect for building culinary confidence and impressing family and friends.
• Customize Your Feast: Easily swap ingredients to match your taste preferences or dietary needs, making these tamales incredibly versatile for different palates and meal occasions.
• Weekend Cooking Adventure: Create a fun, hands-on cooking experience that brings everyone together, turning meal preparation into a memorable family or friends gathering with interactive preparation steps.

What Goes Into Flavorful Chicken Tamales

• Chicken: Tender, shredded meat that serves as the primary protein for the tamales.
• Corn Husks: Traditional wrappers that provide structure and authentic flavor to the tamales.
• Cornmeal Mix: Essential base that helps bind the filling and creates the classic tamale texture.

• Cheese: Adds creamy richness and depth of flavor to the chicken mixture.
• Cilantro, Peas, Olives: Fresh herbs and vegetables that contribute additional flavor and texture to the filling.
• Salsa: Provides moisture and a zesty taste to enhance the overall filling.

• Water: Used for soaking corn husks and steaming the tamales.
• Steamer Basket: Necessary equipment for cooking the tamales with gentle, even heat.

How to Assemble Chicken Tamales Easily

Step 1: Prepare Corn Husks

Submerge corn husks in warm water and let them soak for half an hour until they become soft and pliable. This helps prevent cracking and makes them easier to work with.

Step 2: Create Flavorful Filling

• Shredded cheese
• Fresh cilantro
• Sweet green peas
• Sliced black olives
• Zesty salsa

Stir in cornmeal mix thoroughly until all components are evenly distributed.

Step 3: Craft Husk Ties

Carefully tear two softened corn husks into 12 slender strips that will serve as ties for your tamales.

Step 4: Assemble Individual Tamales

Place a corn husk on a flat surface with the wide end facing upward. Spoon filling down the center, forming a rectangular shape approximately 4 inches long and 2 inches wide.

Step 5: Roll and Secure Tamales

Gently roll the husk like a jelly roll to completely encase the filling. Fold the bottom upward and secure tightly using one of the prepared strips.

Repeat this process for remaining husks and filling.

Step 6: Set Up Steaming Station

Position a steamer basket inside a deep pot.

Add approximately one inch of water to the bottom. Arrange tamales vertically with folded ends pointing downward.

Step 7: Steam to Perfection

Bring water to a rolling boil, cover the pot, and steam tamales for 25 minutes. Monitor water levels and add more if needed to maintain consistent steaming.

Step 8: Rest and Serve

Remove tamales from heat and allow them to rest for five minutes. Unwrap carefully and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro before serving.

Handy Tips for Flawless Chicken Tamales

• Soak corn husks thoroughly to ensure they're pliable and easy to work with during wrapping.
• Mix chicken filling ingredients evenly to distribute flavors throughout each tamale.
• Create uniform tamales by using consistent measurements for filling and rolling technique.
• Keep water level consistent during steaming to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
• Check doneness by testing if masa dough easily pulls away from corn husk when done steaming.

Fun Style Ideas for Chicken Tamales

• Spicy Southwest Chicken Tamales: Add diced jalapeños, chili powder, and a dash of cayenne to the chicken mixture for a fiery kick.
• Green Chile Chicken Tamales: Mix roasted green chiles into the filling and top with a green salsa verde for extra zesty flavor.
• Cheesy Chicken Ranch Tamales: Incorporate ranch seasoning and extra shredded cheddar cheese for a creamy, tangy version.
• Mediterranean Chicken Tamales: Replace salsa with sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, and oregano for a Mediterranean-inspired filling.

What to Pair with Chicken Tamales

• Pair with Zesty Citrus Margarita: Blend tequila, fresh lime juice, and orange liqueur to complement the tamales' vibrant flavors and cut through the richness.
• Create a Fresh Avocado Salsa Side: Chop ripe avocados, tomatoes, red onion, and jalapeños with lime juice to add brightness and cool contrast to the warm tamales.
• Serve with Mexican Rice Pilaf: Cook rice with tomato sauce, garlic, and cumin to provide a complementary starchy side that echoes the tamales' traditional Mexican profile.
• Recommend Crisp Mexican Lager: Pour a cold Modelo Especial or Pacifico to refresh the palate and balance the tamales' savory, complex filling.

Best Storage Tips for Chicken Tamales

• Refrigerate: Store cooled tamales in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Wrap individually in plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
• Freeze: Place tamales in freezer-safe bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with date and contents.
• Microwave Reheating: Wrap tamales in damp paper towel. Heat on high for 1-2 minutes, rotating halfway through. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Steamer Reheating: Restore moisture by steaming frozen or refrigerated tamales for 10-15 minutes. Ensure they're heated thoroughly before serving.

FAQs for Chicken Tamales Lovers

• What makes chicken tamales unique in Mexican cuisine?

Chicken tamales are a traditional Mexican dish that combines corn husks, shredded chicken, and cornmeal, representing a classic street food and cultural culinary technique passed down through generations.

• Are chicken tamales difficult to prepare at home?

While they require several steps, chicken tamales are manageable with practice. The process involves mixing ingredients, assembling in corn husks, and steaming, which becomes easier with experience.

• Can I customize the chicken tamale filling?

Absolutely! You can modify the filling by changing protein types, adding different vegetables like corn or peppers, or experimenting with various cheeses and spices to suit your taste preferences.

• What equipment do I need to make chicken tamales?

You’ll need corn husks, a large mixing bowl, a steamer basket, and a deep pot.

Chicken Tamales Recipe

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4.6 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets tradition in these mouthwatering Chicken Tamales, crafted with love and authentic Mexican spices. Warm corn husks embrace tender, seasoned chicken, promising a delightful culinary journey you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 rotisserie chicken (2–3 pounds), skin removed and shredded (about 6 cups)
• 2 cups self-rising yellow cornmeal mix
• 2 cups bottled green salsa

Complementary Ingredients:

• 1 cup shredded Mexican-blend cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus extra for garnish
• 1/2 cup frozen green peas
• 1/2 cup pimiento-stuffed green olives, halved

Wrapping Ingredient:

• 14 large corn husks (soaked in warm water until pliable)

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Instructions

1. Immerse corn husks in warm water for 30 minutes until they become pliable and soft.
2. Combine shredded chicken with cheese, cilantro, peas, olives, and salsa in a large mixing bowl. Incorporate cornmeal mixture thoroughly until ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. Create 12 thin strips by carefully tearing 2 soaked corn husks into uniform pieces for securing tamales.
4. Position a corn husk on a flat surface with the wide end facing upward. Carefully spread filling down the center, forming a compact 4×2-inch rectangular shape.
5. Gently roll the husk around the filling, creating a compact cylinder. Fold the bottom upward and secure tightly using prepared corn husk strips. Repeat process for remaining tamales.
6. Set up a deep pot with a steamer basket, adding approximately 1 inch of water. Arrange tamales vertically with folded ends pointing downward.
7. Bring water to a rolling boil, cover the pot, and steam for 25 minutes. Monitor water level, adding more as necessary to maintain consistent steam.
8. Remove tamales from heat and allow them to rest for 5 minutes. Unwrap carefully and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro before serving.

Notes

• Choose fresh corn husks without tears or holes to ensure proper wrapping and steaming.
• Add extra spices like cumin or chili powder to boost the chicken filling’s flavor profile.
• Swap traditional ingredients for dietary needs: use gluten-free cornmeal mix for celiac diets and low-fat cheese for healthier versions.
• Prevent tamales from sticking by lightly greasing the corn husks with cooking spray before filling and steaming.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Steaming
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 54g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 22g
• Cholesterol: 60mg