Best 7 Chicken Tamale Pie Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey with our delectable Chicken Tamale Pie, a harmonious blend of Mexican and American flavors. This hearty dish, perfect for a comforting meal, combines the richness of chicken, the vibrant flavors of Mexican spices, and the comforting warmth of cornbread.

In this comprehensive guide, we present three variations of this classic dish, each offering a unique twist on the traditional recipe. From the classic Chicken Tamale Pie, featuring tender chicken enveloped in a savory sauce, to the vegetarian-friendly Black Bean and Corn Tamale Pie, bursting with nutritious black beans and sweet corn, to the innovative Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tamale Pie, where sweet potatoes add a touch of natural sweetness, there's a perfect recipe for every palate.

Each recipe is meticulously crafted with easy-to-follow instructions, ensuring a stress-free cooking experience. We've included detailed ingredient lists, preparation time, cooking time, and serving suggestions to make your culinary journey seamless. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting out in the kitchen, our Chicken Tamale Pie recipes promise a delicious and satisfying meal that will impress your family and friends.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

EASY CHICKEN TAMALE PIE



Easy Chicken Tamale Pie image

All you need are some simple ingredients from the pantry to put this slow-cooker meal together. I love the fact that I can go fishing while it cooks. -Peter Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 7h50m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 pound ground chicken
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (11 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can (10 ounces) enchilada sauce
2 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
1 package (8-1/2 ounces) cornbread/muffin mix
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
Optional toppings: Sour cream, salsa and minced fresh cilantro

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, cook chicken over medium heat until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes, breaking it into crumbles. Stir in seasonings., Transfer to a 4-qt. slow cooker. Stir in beans, tomatoes, corn, enchilada sauce, green onions and cilantro. Cook, covered, on low until heated through, 6-8 hours., In a small bowl, combine muffin mix and eggs; spoon over chicken mixture. Cook, covered, on low until a toothpick inserted in cornbread layer comes out clean, 1-1-1/2 hours longer., Sprinkle with cheese; let stand, covered, 5 minutes. If desired, serve with toppings.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 359 calories, Fat 14g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 110mg cholesterol, Sodium 1021mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 20g protein.

TEX-MEX CHICKEN TAMALE PIE



Tex-Mex Chicken Tamale Pie image

Indigenous people in Mexico make a version of this delicious pie with meat, chile peppers, and tomatoes, which is wrapped in a masa dough and foil and cooked over a campfire. This sumptuous cheese-topped pie might be considered the Tex-Mex version! It takes a lot of prep time but prep can be done a day ahead and the results are well worth the effort.

Provided by Kathleen Isabell

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Mexican

Time 4h

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 13

6 pounds bone-in chicken breasts
water to cover
1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 onion, quartered
4 tomatillos - stemmed, husked, and halved
3 cloves garlic, peeled
4 New Mexico dried red chile pods, stemmed and seeded
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ cup lard
1 cup masa harina
1 (12 ounce) bag shredded Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese blend

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Place chicken breasts in baking pans and cover with aluminum foil.
  • Bake chicken in the preheated oven until tender and cooked through, 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hour. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Cool until easily handled. Remove skin and discard. Bone chicken and chop into 1/2-inch pieces.
  • Combine bones with drippings from baking pans in a large pot; add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil and simmer for 1 hour. Strain broth and discard bones.
  • Place tomatoes, onion, tomatillos, garlic, and red chile pods in a blender or food processor; puree until chile pods are reduced to small flecks. Pour into a pot.
  • Mix 1 cup chicken broth, salt, cumin, and oregano into pureed mixture in the pot. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, about 5 minutes. Stir in chicken. Remove from heat.
  • Microwave 1 cup chicken broth and lard together in a microwave-safe bowl until lard is just melted, about 2 minutes. Mix in masa harina with your hands to make a smooth paste.
  • Press paste evenly into the bottom of a 10x13-inch baking pan. Spread chicken mixture on top. Cover with aluminum foil.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until chicken is heated through, about 40 minutes. Sprinkle shredded Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese blend on top. Continue baking until cheese is melted and starting to bubble, 3 to 5 minutes. Let stand before serving, about 5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 592.8 calories, Carbohydrate 15.6 g, Cholesterol 197.8 mg, Fat 28.4 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 66.4 g, SaturatedFat 13.6 g, Sodium 691.1 mg, Sugar 1 g

TAMALE PIE WITH CHICKEN



Tamale Pie with Chicken image

This tamale pie with chicken is a bit of a process, but well worth the rich flavor it produces. My family loved this recipe. In the tradition of Paula Dean with all the butter I could pack in, this recipe is not for those times when you are watching your figure, but when you are looking for something good for your soul.

Provided by Greysun

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Mexican

Time 10h50m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 31

3 large skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into thick strips
½ cup chili powder
(12 ounce) bottle olive oil
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 cups water
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 poblano peppers, chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
4 cups masa flour
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon lime juice
3 cups hot water, or as needed
1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
1 (6 ounce) can sliced black olives
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream

Steps:

  • Combine chicken, chili powder, 2 tablespoons oil, minced garlic, lime juice, salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, and oregano in a bowl. Let marinate 8 hours to overnight.
  • Pour chicken with marinade into a pot; add water. Cover and cook over medium-high heat until chicken is no longer pink in the center, about 10 minutes, stirring as needed. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for 1 hour.
  • Transfer chicken to a large bowl and shred using 2 forks; set aside and keep warm.
  • Add tomatoes, beans, poblano peppers, jalapeno peppers, onion, and bell pepper to the pot. Cook veggie mixture over medium-high heat until slightly softened and onion is translucent, 10 to 15 minutes. Adjust liquid by either adding while cooking covered, or condensing water by cooking uncovered; final product should be the consistency of a thick stew. Combine vegetable mixture with shredded chicken and set filling aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
  • Mix masa flour, chili powder, sugar, baking powder, salt, and pepper for crust together in a bowl. Mix in butter and lime juice. Add hot water and mix until dough reaches the consistency of a thick cookie dough; mix or knead thoroughly.
  • Place about 1/2 of the crust mixture into the prepared pan to form a 1/2- to 3/4-inch layer covering the bottom and 3/4 up the sides. Spread filling into crust.
  • Flatten handfuls of remaining crust mixture to about 1/2- to 3/4-inch thickness. Lay on top of pie; continue until top is mostly covered. Spread enchilada sauce over crust. Cover with Mexican cheese. Scatter olives on top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until golden and bubbly, about 45 minutes. Serve with a little enchilada sauce and a dollop of sour cream on top of each serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 623.6 calories, Carbohydrate 51.4 g, Cholesterol 111.2 mg, Fat 36.6 g, Fiber 12.2 g, Protein 26.4 g, SaturatedFat 20.8 g, Sodium 1490 mg, Sugar 5.7 g

CHICKEN TAMALE PIE



Chicken Tamale Pie image

Easy and great alternative to all the work of hand-wrapping chicken tamales, with no masa! Leftover cooked turkey works great too!

Provided by laidback

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Chicken Breast Recipes

Time 50m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

cooking spray
2 cups cooked chicken, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1 cup green enchilada sauce
1 cup plain nonfat yogurt, divided
2 tablespoons salsa
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 (8 ounce) package cornbread mix
⅓ cup water
⅓ cup shredded pepperjack cheese
5 pitted green olives, sliced

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray a 9-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Mix chicken, green enchilada sauce, 1/2 cup yogurt, salsa, and coriander together in a bowl.
  • Combine cornbread mix, remaining 1/2 cup yogurt, and water in a bowl. Spread half of the cornbread mixture in the bottom of the dish. Spoon chicken mixture evenly on top. Sprinkle pepperjack cheese and green olives over chicken mixture. Spread remaining cornbread mixture on top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden brown, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 325 calories, Carbohydrate 32.4 g, Cholesterol 56.3 mg, Fat 11.6 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 21.8 g, SaturatedFat 4.4 g, Sodium 646.3 mg, Sugar 3.3 g

CHICKEN TAMALE PIE



Chicken Tamale Pie image

If you are always looking for a good, easy recipe to serve for dinner. This is a good one to put before the kids. They snap it right up and ask for more. So many ways to garnish this one, sour cream, guacamole, salsa and of course curly lettuce of any variety.

Provided by Cherie Szilvagyi

Categories     Tacos & Burritos

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 17

CHICKEN FILLING
4 Tbsp butter or olive oil
2 medium green peppers diced
1 large onion diced
2 clove garlic minced
2 c finely diced chicken about 3 breasts
2 c tomato sauce
1 can(s) whole kernel corn 12 oz
1/2 can(s) sliced black olives
2 tsp chili powder or more to taste
1 tsp sugar
salt and pepper to taste
CORNBREAD TOPPER
3/4 c cornmeal
1/2 tsp salt
2 c water
2 Tbsp butter

Steps:

  • 1. In a skillet heat the two tablespoons of butter. Add green pepper, onion and garlic. Saute about 5 minutes, until vegetables are about tender. Swtir in the chicken and saute about a minute. Add tomato sauce, corn, olives, chili powder, sugar, salt and pepper. Heat through, but do not bring to a simmer.
  • 2. Pour the chicken-vegetable mixture into a greased shallow 2 quart baking dish. Set aside.
  • 3. In a saucepan, stir the cornmeal and salt into the water. Stirring constantly bring to a simmer and cook until thick. Stir in 2 tablespoons of butter.
  • 4. Spoon cornmeal as evenly as possible over the hot chicken mixture. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for about 40 minutes. Makes 6 servings.

CHICKEN TAMALE PIE



Chicken Tamale Pie image

A corn batter tops chicken and favorite Mexican ingredients and turns into one hot tamale--pie, that is!

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 40m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 package (9 oz) frozen diced cooked chicken, thawed
1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles, drained
2 teaspoons Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix (from 1-oz package)
1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (4 oz)
1/2 cup Original Bisquick™ mix
1/2 cup cornmeal
3/4 cup milk
1 egg
1 can (11 oz) whole kernel corn with red and green peppers, drained
Shredded lettuce, sour cream and Old El Paso™ Thick 'n Chunky salsa, if desired

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 400°F. In 9-inch glass pie plate, stir chicken, chiles and taco seasoning until mixed. Sprinkle with cheese.
  • In medium bowl, stir Bisquick mix, cornmeal, milk, egg and corn until blended. Pour over chicken mixture and cheese.
  • Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in topping comes out clean. To serve, cut into wedges and top with lettuce, sour cream and salsa.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 310, Carbohydrate 32 g, Cholesterol 85 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 2 g, Protein 19 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 860 mg, Sugar 7 g, TransFat 1/2 g

CHICKEN TAMALE PIE



Chicken Tamale Pie image

This pie has become a standby for weekday suppers. The zesty filling satisfies our craving for Mexican food. And the kids like the crust, which tastes like corn muffins.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 package (8-1/2 ounces) corn bread/muffin mix
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup milk
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon chili powder

Steps:

  • In a bowl, combine muffin mix, egg and milk; add cheese. Spread in the bottom and up the sides of a greased 9-in. pie plate., In a saucepan, combine soup, chicken, corn, onions, chilies, garlic and chili powder; heat through. Immediately pour into crust. , Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until crust is golden and filling is hot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 382 calories, Fat 15g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 102mg cholesterol, Sodium 911mg sodium, Carbohydrate 41g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 22g protein.

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the tamale pie will be. Opt for fresh, ripe vegetables, flavorful meat, and rich spices.
  • Don't overcook the chicken: Overcooked chicken is tough and dry. Cook it just until it is cooked through, about 10 minutes.
  • Use a good quality cornbread mix: Not all cornbread mixes are created equal. Choose a mix that is made with fresh, stone-ground cornmeal. This will give the tamale pie a more authentic flavor and texture.
  • Don't skimp on the cheese: Cheese is what makes tamale pie so delicious. Use a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese, and sprinkle some on top before baking.
  • Let the tamale pie rest before serving: This will allow the flavors to meld and the pie to set. Wait at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Conclusion:

Chicken tamale pie is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover chicken. With its combination of flavorful chicken, creamy sauce, and cheesy cornbread topping, this dish is sure to be a hit with the whole family. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give chicken tamale pie a try. You won't be disappointed!

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