Golden Chicken Tamale Pie 🍗🥧

Tamale Pie Recipe

🕒 Cook Time: 1 hour | Prep Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
🥘 Recipe Category: Chicken
🔍 Keywords: Poultry, Meat, Mexican, Weeknight, Oven, Less than 4 Hours
🍽️ Servings: 6

Description:

Indulge in the rich flavors of Mexico with this tantalizing Tamale Pie, a hearty main dish infused with the warmth of chicken and a medley of aromatic spices. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this savory pie is a delightful twist on the classic tamale, prepared with succulent chicken instead of beef, as per a special request from our treasured recipe card collection.

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 broiler-fryer chickens, washed and pat dry
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) stewed tomatoes
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 can (10.75 ounces) condensed chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 cup pitted ripe olives
• 1 1/2 – 2 cups corn kernels
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken Mixture:

   • In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until tender.
   • Add the broiler-fryer chickens, stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, condensed chicken broth, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
   • Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer covered for 30 minutes or until the chicken is tender.
   • Once done, remove the skillet from heat and allow it to cool until the chicken is cool enough to handle. Remove the meat from bones, keeping it in large pieces.

2. Enhance the Flavor:

   • To the tomato liquid in the skillet, add chili powder and dried oregano. Bring to a boil, uncovered, and simmer until the liquid reduces to about 3 cups.
   • Stir in the cooked chicken pieces, corn kernels, and pitted ripe olives. Set aside.

3. Prepare the Cornmeal Mixture:

   • In a separate saucepan, combine the yellow cornmeal with 4 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.
   • Let the cornmeal mixture stand for about 5 minutes to thicken further.

4. Assemble and Bake:

   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Line the bottom of a 3-quart baking dish with about half of the prepared cornmeal mixture.
   • Spoon the chicken mixture evenly over the cornmeal layer.
   • Spoon the remaining cornmeal mixture around the edges of the baking dish.
   • Sprinkle the top evenly with shredded cheddar cheese.

5. Bake to Perfection:

   • Place the baking dish in the preheated oven, uncovered, and bake for 30 minutes or until the center is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden brown.

6. Serve and Enjoy:

   • Once baked to perfection, remove the Tamale Pie from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving.
   • Slice into generous portions and serve hot, garnished with your favorite toppings such as diced tomatoes, avocado slices, or a dollop of sour cream.

This Tamale Pie recipe is sure to become a family favorite, blending the comforting flavors of Mexico with the convenience of a simple weeknight meal. Enjoy the hearty goodness with loved ones and savor the delicious taste of homemade comfort food!