Embark on a culinary journey to tantalize your taste buds with the delectable Green Chili Chicken Cheese Tamales, a harmonious blend of savory flavors and textures. These handcrafted tamales showcase tender chicken enveloped in a vibrant green chili sauce, generously filled with a delectable blend of gooey cheese. Steamed to perfection, each tamale is a symphony of flavors, offering a delightful balance between the spicy kick of green chilies and the rich creaminess of cheese. This recipe also includes variations for both cornmeal and masa harina dough, ensuring a delightful experience for everyone. And for those seeking a vegetarian alternative, the article offers a flavorful Vegetable and Cheese Tamale recipe, bursting with fresh vegetables and enveloped in a rich cheese filling. Whether you're a seasoned tamale enthusiast or embarking on your first tamale-making adventure, this comprehensive guide will lead you through the process, providing step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to ensure your homemade tamales turn out perfect every time.
Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!
GREEN CHILE AND CHICKEN TAMALES
Steps:
- Gather the ingredients.
- Let the chicken cool and then use forks or your fingers to shred it.
- Add the shredded chicken and the diced chiles to a large bowl. Add the green chile sauce, queso fresco, sour cream, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Mix well and set aside.
- Gather the ingredients.
- Remove any debris or corn silk from the corn husks.
- Separate the larger whole husks from the smaller bits and pieces. Use the larger husks for wrapping and save the smaller ones for tying.
- Place the husks in a large bowl and cover with warm water. Put a plate, bowl, or heavy skillet on top of the husks to keep them submerged. Let soak until flexible and softened, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Remove the husks from the water and pat dry. Place in a covered dish or a large plastic bag to prevent them from drying out.
- Gather the ingredients.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the masa harina and warm water until combined.
- Let the mixture sit to let the masa soften, about 20 minutes. Mix on low speed, scraping down the bowl occasionally, until a dough forms.
- Gradually sprinkle in the onion powder, chili powder, cumin, and salt as you continue to mix.
- In a medium bowl, stir the lard until soft and light, about 3 minutes.
- Add the lard to the dough a little at a time while continuing to mix on low until well combined.
- The mixture should be the consistency of peanut butter. If not, add more masa harina, water or broth as necessary.
- Gather the ingredients.
- Use the larger husks for the tamales. Use the smaller or broken husks to create ties by cutting or tearing them into 1/4 inch-wide strips.
- When looking at the husks for wrapping, notice the shape. They have a narrow end, a broad end, and two long sides. Lay the husk on a flat surface with the narrow end at the bottom.
- Depending on the size of the husk, spoon 1 to 2 tablespoons of dough on the husk placing it toward the top. Do not overfill.
- Use the back of a spoon to spread the dough onto the husk, leaving a border of about 4-inches from the narrow end and about 2- inches from the top.
- Spread the dough to the edge of one of the long sides, leaving a 2-inch border on the opposite long side. Try to keep the dough about 1/4-inch thick.
- Spread a couple of spoonfuls of filling down the center of the dough, leaving at least a 1-inch border of dough around all sides.
- Make a package by fold the long empty side (the side with no masa) over, slightly overlapping the opposite side so the edges of the dough meet. Wrap the extra husk around the back. Then fold the broad end over the top and then the longer narrow end over the broad end.
- Use the narrow strips to tie across the middle of the tamale to hold the flaps down.
- Set tamales upright in a tamale steamer, a large pot fitted with a strainer insert, or something similar. The key is to have a small amount of boiling water on the bottom of the pot and a strainer of some sort to keep the tamales from touching the water.
- Cover the pot and steam for about 90 minutes, or until the masa feels firm, looks smooth, and comes away from the husk cleanly (you can take one tamale out to test). Check the water level in the pot occasionally and replenish the water if needed. Let the tamales cool for 1 hour before taking them out of the steamer to allow the masa to firm up before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 513 kcal, Carbohydrate 32 g, Cholesterol 81 mg, Fiber 4 g, Protein 23 g, SaturatedFat 13 g, Sodium 1070 mg, Sugar 2 g, Fat 33 g, ServingSize 40 Servings (20 portions), UnsaturatedFat 0 g
GREEN CHILE CHICKEN TAMALES (TAMALES CON SALSA VERDE Y POLLO)
Masa labeled "masa preparada para tamales" often contains baking powder and salt, so don't add either if it does. Soak the husks three hours ahead or overnight.
Categories Mixer Chicken Broil Steam Cinco de Mayo Buffet Hot Pepper Spring Tomatillo Cilantro Hominy/Cornmeal/Masa Bon Appétit
Yield Makes about 26
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- For filling:
- Place husks in large pot or large bowl; add water to cover. Place heavy plate on husks to keep submerged. Let stand until husks soften, turning occasionally, at least 3 hours and up to 1 day.
- Preheat broiler. Line heavy baking sheet with foil. Arrange tomatillos on prepared sheet. Broil until tomatillos blacken in spots, turning once, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer tomatillos and any juices on sheet to processor and cool. Add chiles and garlic to processor and blend until smooth puree forms. Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add tomatillo puree and boil 5 minutes, stirring often. Add broth. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until sauce coats spoon thickly and is reduced to 1 cup, stirring occasionally, about 40 minutes. Season with salt. Mix in chicken and cilantro. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)
- For dough:
- Using electric mixer, beat lard (with salt and baking powder, if using) in large bowl until fluffy. Beat in fresh masa or masa harina mixture in 4 additions. Reduce speed to low and gradually beat in 1 1/2 cups broth, forming tender dough. If dough seems firm, beat in enough broth, 2 tablespoons at a time, to soften.
- Fill bottom of pot with steamer insert with enough water (about 2 inches) to reach bottom of insert. Line bottom of insert with some softened corn husks. Tear 3 large husks into 1/4-inch-wide strips to use as ties and set aside. Open 2 large husks on work surface. Spread 1/4 cup dough in 4-inch square in center of each, leaving 2- to 3-inch plain border at narrow end of husk. Spoon heaping tablespoon filling in strip down center of each dough square. Fold long sides of husk and dough over filling to cover. Fold up narrow end of husk. Tie folded portion with strip of husk to secure, leaving wide end of tamale open. Stand tamales in steamer basket. Repeat with more husks, dough, and filling until all filling has been used. If necessary to keep tamales upright in steamer, insert pieces of crumpled foil between them.
- Bring water in pot to boil. Cover pot and steam tamales until dough is firm to touch and separates easily from husk, adding more water to pot as necessary, about 45 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cool 1 hour. Cover and chill. Before serving, re-steam tamales until hot, about 35 minutes.)
GREEN CHICKEN TAMALES
These authentic Mexican green tamales (tamales verdes) are stuffed with chicken and a spicy tomatillo sauce. To make tamales from scratch takes time, but it is so worth it. [Recipe originally submitted to Allrecipes.com.mx]
Provided by ladoña
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican
Time 2h30m
Yield 35
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Place corn husks in a bowl, cover with boiling water, and soak for 30 to 60 minutes. Drain, place on a work surface, and cover with a clean, damp towel.
- Place chicken in a pot, season with salt, and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until chicken is cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain chicken and shred with 2 forks.
- Place tomatillo and serrano peppers in a pot while chicken is cooking, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Cook until tomatillos are soft and have changed color, but are not falling apart, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Combine tomatillos, serrano peppers, onion, cilantro, and garlic in a blender; blend into a smooth sauce.
- Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a saucepan over medium heat and add tomatillo sauce. Cook until sauce has slightly thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add shredded chicken and season filling with salt.
- Beat remaining butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until creamy. Add chicken broth, masa harina, baking powder, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and beat well until combined and the consistency of cookie dough. Test if the masa is ready by dropping a small ball of masa into a glass of cold water; if it floats, it's ready, if not, keep beating for a little longer.
- Select 1 wide corn husk or 2 small ones. Spread about 2 tablespoons masa mixture onto the the corn husk, filling it up to 2 inches from the bottom and 1/4 inch from the top. Add 1 tablespoon of filling down the center of the masa mixture. Fold sides of husk together, one over the other. Fold the bottom of the husk over the seam of the 2 folded sides. Repeat with remaining husks.
- Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add tamales with the open side up and cook until filling is heated through and separates from the husk, about 1 hour. Let tamales stand for 15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 114.6 calories, Carbohydrate 11.3 g, Cholesterol 21.2 mg, Fat 6.2 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 4.1 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, Sodium 232.3 mg, Sugar 0.8 g
GREEN CHILI, CHICKEN & CHEESE TAMALES
Don't use butter instead of lard; the texture is too soft and it won't cream properly. If you must substitute, use vegetable shortening.
Provided by Abby Falck
Categories Mexican
Time 4h
Yield 42-54 tamales, 24 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Fill a large bowl or pot with warm water. Put the corn husks in the water and weight them down so they stay immersed.
- Combine all filling ingredients. Set aside.
- Combine masa, baking powder, and salt.
- In a standing mixer, beat the lard until it becomes light and fluffy.
- Gradually mix in dry ingredients.
- Slowly add chicken broth just until a soft dough forms.
- To assemble the tamales, put a spoonful of dough on the smooth side of a corn husk, smooth it down to a thin layer (1/8"-1/4" thick), and put a smaller spoonful of filling on the dough. Bring the two sides of the husk together so that the dough rolls around the filling and the husk overlaps itself. Fold up the bottom and tie it with a bit of string or a strand of corn husk.
- Set the tamales open end up in a steamer or colander. Put the steamer in a large pot with some water in the bottom. The water musn't touch the tamales. Cover tightly and steam over medium heat for 90-120 minutes.
- Once cooked, tamales can be kept in the freezer. To reheat, put in a microwave-safe bowl, cover, and cook on high for about one minute per tamale.
GREEN CHILE TAMALES
Steps:
- Combine the roasted poblanos and tomatillo salsa in a blender of food processor. Puree until smooth. Add the pureed chile mixture to the masa dough and mix well to combine. Reserve at room temperature. Follow method of filling and steaming as in Turkey Tamale recipe.
- In a blender place tomatillos, jalapenos and water. Puree until just chunky. Add remaining ingredients and puree about 2 minutes more, or until no large chunks remain. This salsa keeps in the refrigerator, in a covered container, about 3 days.
GREEN CHILE CHICKEN TAMALES
I've actually had people bring me the ingredients for this recipe so that I would make them a batch. It's time consuming but OH so worth the wait. Even my 1 1/2 year old son loves them.
Provided by Brieness79
Categories Chicken
Time P1DT1h30m
Yield 26 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Filling Directions:.
- Place husks in large pot or large bowl; add water to cover. Place heavy plate on husks to keep submerged. Let stand until husks soften, turning occasionally, at least 3 hours and up to 1 day - I find that over-night is perfect.
- Preheat boiler. Line heavy baking sheet with foil. Arrange tomatillos on prepared sheet and broil until tomatillos blaken in spots, turning once (about 5 minute per side). Transfer tomatillos and any juices on sheet to processor and cool.
- Add chiles and garlic to processor and blend until smooth puree forms.
- Heat oil on medium sauce pan over medium-high heat. Add tomatillo puree and boil 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Add broth and reduce heat to medium; simmer until sauce coats spoon thickly and is reduced to 1 cup, stirring occasionally, about 40 minutes.
- Season with salt and mix in chicken and cilantro (can be made 1 day ahead, cover and chill).
- I usually double this portion of the recipe and freeze half, it holds very well in the freezer.
- Dough Directions:.
- Using electric mixer, beat shortening (with salt and baking powder if using) in large bowl until fluffy.
- Beat in fresh masa or masa harina mixture in 4 additions.
- Reduce speed to low and gradually beat in 1 1/2 cups broth, forming tender dough. If dough seems firm, beat in enough broth, two tablespoons at a time to soften.
- Fill bottom of pot with steamer insert with enough water (about two inches) to reach bottom of insert. Line bottom of insert with some softened corn husks.
- Tear 3 large husks into 1/4-inch-wide strips to use as ties and set aside. This isn't necessary, I only do it when I want to make the tamales look "pretty".
- Open 1 large husks on work surface. Spread 1/4 cup dough in 4-inch square in center of each, leaving 2-3-inch plain border at narrow end of husk.
- Spoon heaping tablespoon filling in strip down center of dough square. Fold sides of husk towards center and the narrow bottom end up so that the chicken mixture is "contained" in the center of dough and husk. This is where you can tie them with a strip of husk, but I find it isn't necessary. Leave wide end of tamale open.
- Stand tamales in steamer basket, open end UP. Repeat with more husks, dough and filling until all filling has been used. If necessary, to keep tamales upright in steamer, insert pieces of crumpled foil between them.
- Bring water in pot to boil, cover and steam tamales until dough is firm to touch and separates easily from husk, adding more water to pot as necessary, about 45 minutes.
- Let stand 10 minutes.
- Can be made 2 days ahead. Cool one hour, cover and chill. Before serving, re-steam tamales until hot, about 35 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 148.6, Fat 13.1, SaturatedFat 3.6, Cholesterol 16.1, Sodium 182.9, Carbohydrate 1.8, Fiber 0.4, Sugar 0.8, Protein 6.3
CHEF JOHN'S GREEN CHICKEN CHILI
Make this easier version of chili verde using chicken and a tomatillo-based green salsa instead of roasting and pureeing fresh tomatillos. Note that this is a green chili made with chicken and not a chili made with green chicken. Sorry if this disappoints anyone. You can serve it with sour cream, avocado, cilantro, and corn tortillas or corn bread.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Chili Recipes Chicken Chili Recipes
Time 1h50m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Season chicken thighs with salt on both sides.
- Transfer 1/2 the chicken to a dry, nonstick skillet over high heat. Cook until browned, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a bowl. Brown the rest of the chicken. Let cool to room temperature before cutting.
- Combine salsa verde, green chilies, garlic, jalapeno, and cilantro in a blender. Blend, starting on low and finishing on high, until sauce is very smooth and bright green.
- Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and transfer back into the bowl. Combine chicken pieces, accumulated juices, and the green sauce into a pot. Season with cumin, chipotle pepper, black pepper, oregano, and salt.
- Rinse out blender with a splash of water and pour into the pot. Mix together and set heat to medium-high. Bring to a simmer; reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until chicken is tender, depending on size of chicken pieces, about 1 hour. Stir in kidney beans and simmer until thickened, about 15 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 520.8 calories, Carbohydrate 31.3 g, Cholesterol 127.7 mg, Fat 23.2 g, Fiber 9.2 g, Protein 43.4 g, SaturatedFat 6.3 g, Sodium 1281.2 mg, Sugar 4.4 g
CHEESE WITH ROASTED CHILE TAMALES
My mom came up with this tangy cheese-filled tamale. It's one of the recipes in the cookbook our family published, Muy Bueno: Three Generations of Authentic Mexican Flavor.-Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack, Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Provided by Taste of Home
Yield about 5 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- MAKE TAMALE MASA:, Place 1 pound of lard in a large stand mixer with a flat beater and mix until fluffy; scraping sides so the lard stays in the center of the mixing bowl. Add half the baking powder and half the salt and mix all together., Add half the masa and mix together. Slowly add half the broth to the masa and mix until combined. The mixture should be about the consistency of smooth peanut butter. If not, add more broth as necessary. Test the masa by taking a small piece (1/2 teaspoon) and dropping it into a cup of warm water. If it floats, it is ready. If it sinks, add a little more lard, beat for another minute, and test again. Repeat this process until the masa floats. Pour the masa mixture into a bigger bowl. Repeat the process with the remaining ingredients., Cover the masa and set aside while you prepare filling., For filling, heat olive oil, add flour and stir for 3 minutes. Add diced green chiles and garlic powder and stir for 5 minutes., Add suero, salt, and ½ cup of shredded cheese, and simmer for 7 minutes, stirring until cheese melts and mixture thickens. Let mixture cool before filling tamales., PREPARE OJAS (CORN HUSKS):, Soak corn husks in water for an hour before using, rinse well with running water to take off any dust or corn husk fibers. To keep corn husks pliable and easy to work with, keep in water while filling tamales. Place a handful of wet corn husks in a colander to drain before using., SPREAD MASA:, Place the wide end of the husk on the palm of your hand. The narrow end is at the top. Starting at the middle of the husk, with the back of a spoon, spread 2 tablespoons of the masa in a rectangle or oval shape, using a downward motion towards the wide-bottom edge. Do not spread the masa to the ends; leave about a 2-inch border on the left and right sides of the husk., FILL CORN HUSKS:, Spoon 1½ tablespoons of filling down the center of the masa, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon cheese. Fold both sides to the center; finish off by bringing the pointed end of the husk toward the filled end. Make sure it's a snug closure so the tamale will not open during steaming. Secure by tying a thin strip of corn husk around the tamale. This will keep the tamale from unwrapping during the steaming process, especially if the husk is too thick and will not stay folded., STEAM TAMALES:, Use a deep pot or tamale steamer to steam tamales. If using a tamale steamer, fill with water up to the fill line. Set the tamale rack over the water. Place tamales upright with fold against the sides of the other tamales to keep them from unfolding. Cover pot with a tight fitting lid. Set heat on high and bring to a boil, about 15 minutes. Lower heat and simmer for 2½ to 3 hours. Keep lid on tightly. To test if done, place one tamale on a plate and take off the corn husk. If it comes off without sticking to the tamale, they're done.
Nutrition Facts :
Tips:
- To make the tamale dough, use masa harina, a finely ground cornmeal made from dried corn kernels. Masa harina is available in most grocery stores in the Mexican food section.
- If you don't have a steamer, you can cook the tamales in a large pot of boiling water. Place the tamales in a colander or steamer basket and set it over the boiling water. Cover the pot and steam the tamales for 1 hour, or until the masa is cooked through.
- To make the green chili sauce, use fresh green chilies. You can also use canned green chilies, but the fresh chilies will give the sauce a more flavorful taste.
- If you don't have any queso fresco, you can use another type of Mexican cheese, such as cotija or Monterey Jack. You can also use a combination of cheeses.
- To make the tamales ahead of time, cook them according to the recipe and then let them cool completely. Wrap the tamales in plastic wrap and refrigerate them for up to 3 days. To reheat the tamales, steam them for 15-20 minutes, or until they are heated through.
Conclusion:
Green chili chicken cheese tamales are a delicious and festive dish that is perfect for any occasion. They are relatively easy to make, and they can be made ahead of time. So next time you are looking for a special dish to serve, give these tamales a try. You won't be disappointed!
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