Craving a comforting and hearty meal? This Chicken Tamale Pie Recipe is just what you need! It’s a delicious combination of tender chicken, savory tamale crust, and flavorful spices, all baked to perfection. Perfect for a family dinner or a cozy night in, this Mexican tamale pie is sure to satisfy your taste buds. Let’s dive into this mouthwatering and easy-to-make recipe!

Contents

Why Make Chicken Tamale Pie

Chicken Tamale Pie combines the comforting flavors of tamales with the convenience of a casserole. It layers tender shredded chicken, savory enchilada sauce, and creamy cornbread topping for a hearty and satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare. This dish is perfect for family dinners or gatherings, offering a delicious twist on traditional tamale flavors without the lengthy preparation time of making individual tamales.

Tamale Pie Recipe Ingredients

Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix: Provides the base for the cornbread layer of the pie, offering a sweet and savory flavor that complements the spicy and tangy components of the dish.
Sour Cream: Adds moisture and a creamy texture to the cornbread, enhancing its richness and balancing the sweetness of the mix.
Egg: Acts as a binder for the cornbread mix, helping it hold together once baked and contributing to its fluffiness.
Corn Kernels: Provide a sweet pop of flavor and texture in the cornbread layer, echoing traditional elements of a tamale.
Melted Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the cornbread, helping it brown and develop a delicious crust during baking.
Onion: Adds a foundational savory flavor to the filling, with its natural sweetness enhancing the overall taste profile.
Garlic: Infuses the dish with a deep, aromatic flavor, pairing well with the spices and savory elements.
Taco Seasoning: Provides a blend of spices that instantly adds depth and Mexican-inspired flavors to the chicken filling.
Shredded Chicken: The main protein of the dish, offering a hearty and satisfying texture and a perfect canvas for the taco seasoning and enchilada sauce.
Enchilada Sauce: Adds a rich, tangy, and slightly spicy flavor to the filling, moistening the chicken and infusing it with traditional Mexican flavors.
Shredded Colby Jack Cheese: Melts into a gooey, cheesy layer that tops the pie, providing a creamy contrast to the savory and spicy elements underneath.

How To Make Tamale Pie With Chicken

Step One: Preheat the oven to 400° and spray a 9 inch pie dish with non stick cooking spray. In a medium sized bowl add the corn muffin mix, sour cream, egg, corn and the melted butter

Step Two: Stir until everything is mixed together. Pour into the prepared dish and bake for 15 minutes or until golden.

Step Three: In a medium sized bowl add the onion, garlic, taco seasoning, chicken and 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce and stir until mixed together, set aside.

Step Four: Once you take the dish out the oven, using the end of a small round wooden spoon poke holes all over the cornbread.

Step Five: Pour the remaining 1/4 cup of enchilada sauce all over and spread to make sure it gets in the holes. Add the chicken mixture all over top and spread around as well.

Step Six: Top the chicken tamale pie with cheese.

Step Seven: Bake the tamale pie again for 20 minutes. Once done slice and serve your Mexican tamale pie!

Step Eight: Top with extra sour cream, parsley and a side of corn.

Tips For Making This Tamale Pie Chicken Recipe

Use Rotisserie Chicken: Save time by using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken or leftover shredded chicken. It adds flavor and cuts down on prep time.
Resting Time: Allow the tamale pie to cool for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors meld together and makes it easier to slice and serve.
Enchilada Sauce: Use a good-quality enchilada sauce for layers of flavor. You can use store-bought or homemade sauce according to your preference.

Recipe Variations

For a Vegetarian Tamale Pie:

Replace the chicken with black beans or pinto beans for a hearty vegetarian version.
Add sautéed bell peppers, onions, and corn for added flavor and texture.

For A Tex-Mex Tamale Pie:

Add a layer of cooked Mexican rice or cilantro lime rice between the chicken and cornbread layers.
Serve with a side of guacamole, salsa, and sour cream for a Tex-Mex inspired meal.
Top with chopped fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice before serving.

Storing And Reheating Tamale Pie

Cooling: Allow the pie to cool completely after baking to maintain its texture.
Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: For longer storage, wrap the pie tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Label with the date and freeze for up to 2-3 months.
Reheating: Thaw frozen pie overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or the entire pie in the oven until heated through before serving.

What To Serve With Chicken Tamale Pie

Wondering what to serve with this tamale pie recipe? Here are some of our top suggestions:

Black Bean and Corn Salsa: A flavorful salsa made with black beans, roasted corn, diced tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro, dressed with lime juice and a hint of cumin.
Air Fryer Corn on the Cob: Tender corn on the cob cooked to perfection in the air fryer, brushed with butter and seasoned with salt and pepper.
Lemon Orzo Asparagus Salad: A refreshing salad featuring orzo pasta, tender asparagus spears, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy lemon dressing with fresh herbs.
Honey Butter Skillet Corn: Sweet and savory, this corn dish glazed with honey butter complements the tamale pie with its rich flavors.
Avocado Salad: A refreshing salad featuring ripe avocado slices, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and a tangy lime-cilantro dressing adds creamy texture and freshness.

Chicken Tamale Pie Recipe

Savor the flavors of a classic tamale with this easy Chicken Tamale Pie! Juicy, seasoned chicken is layered under a fluffy cornbread topping, creating a comforting dish that's full of flavor. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this pie is sure to be a family favorite!

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 50

Additional Time 0

Total Time 1

Serving Size Servings

Ingredients

1 8 oz box of jiffy corn muffin mix
1/2 cup of sour cream
1 egg
1/2 cup corn kernels frozen or canned
2 tbsp melted butter
1 large onion diced frozen or raw
2 cloves garlic minced
1 tbsp taco seasoning
2 cups shredded chicken cooked
3/4 cup enchilada sauce divided
2 cups of shredded Colby jack cheese

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400° and spray a 9 inch pie dish with non stick cooking spray. In a medium sized bowl add the corn muffin mix, sour cream, egg, corn and the melted butter and stir until everything is mixed together. Pour into the prepared dish and bake for 15 minutes or until golden.
2. In a medium sized bowl add the onion, garlic, taco seasoning, chicken and 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce and stir until mixed together, set aside. Once you take the dish out the oven, using the end of a small round wooden spoon poke holes all over the cornbread.
3. Pour the remaining 1/4 cup of enchilada sauce all over and spread to make sure it gets in the holes. Add the chicken mixture all over top and spread around as well. Top with the cheese and bake again for 20 minutes.
4. Once done slice and serve! Top with extra sour cream and parsley!

Notes

Use Rotisserie Chicken: Save time by using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken or leftover shredded chicken. It adds flavor and cuts down on prep time.

Resting Time: Allow the tamale pie to cool for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors meld together and makes it easier to slice and serve.

Enchilada Sauce: Use a good-quality enchilada sauce for layers of flavor. You can use store-bought or homemade sauce according to your preference.