Try This Irresistible Savory Chicken Tamale Pie Recipe Tonight

Savory chicken tamale pie crafts ordinary dinner into a fiesta of flavor that dances across your palate.

This hearty dish blends traditional Mexican-inspired ingredients with comforting casserole techniques, creating a meal that feels both familiar and exciting.

Warm spices and tender meat nestle beneath a golden cornmeal crust, promising a delightful culinary experience.

Each bite offers a perfect balance of rich proteins and zesty seasonings that sing with complexity.

Home cooks adore this one-pan wonder for its simplicity and crowd-pleasing appeal.

The layers of textures and robust flavors make this pie a standout centerpiece for family gatherings or casual weeknight dinners.

Prepare to wow everyone at the table with this irresistible crowd-pleaser.

Perfect Pairings for Savory Chicken Tamale Pie

• Unleash Zesty Mexican Beverage Pairing: Pair this spicy tamale pie with an ice-cold Mexican beer like Modelo Especial or Corona, which cuts through the rich flavors and refreshes the palate with its crisp, light profile.
• Create Tangy Cocktail Companion: Mix a classic margarita with fresh lime juice, tequila, and a salted rim to complement the dish's bold southwestern spices and provide a zingy contrast to the hearty chicken mixture.
• Design Cooling Side Salad: Prepare a bright cilantro-lime coleslaw with shredded cabbage, fresh cilantro, and a light citrus dressing to balance the pie's warm, robust flavors and add a crisp, refreshing element to the meal.
• Enhance with Creamy Dip: Offer a homemade avocado crema or jalapeño sour cream on the side, allowing diners to adjust the heat and creaminess of each bite while adding an extra layer of rich, tangy flavor.

Chicken Tamale Pie Variants with a Twist

• Spicy Southwest Spin: Replace taco seasoning with chipotle powder, add diced jalapeños, and mix in pepper jack cheese for extra heat. Swap regular corn with fire-roasted corn kernels for a smokier flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Mexican Medley: Substitute chicken with black beans, roasted sweet potatoes, and plant-based protein crumbles. Include quinoa for added protein and texture, keeping the core seasoning approach intact.
• Tex-Mex Chorizo Edition: Swap chicken for crumbled Mexican chorizo sausage, incorporate diced poblano peppers, and use queso fresco instead of regular cheese. Top with pickled red onions for a tangy kick.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Mix: Replace traditional seasonings with oregano, za'atar, and sumac. Use ground lamb instead of chicken, add feta cheese, and sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.

Savory Chicken Tamale Pie with Serious Flavor

• Flavor Explosion: Packed with zesty taco seasoning, spicy chiles, and rich tomato sauce, this chicken tamale pie delivers a mouthwatering blend of Mexican-inspired flavors that dance across your taste buds.
• Effortless One-Skillet Wonder: Streamline your cooking process with this clever recipe that starts on the stovetop and finishes in the oven, minimizing dishes and maximizing convenience for busy home cooks.
• Texture Party: Enjoy a delightful contrast between the crispy golden cornbread base, tender chicken, and melted cheese topping, creating a satisfying mix of soft and crunchy textures in every single bite.
• Quick Weeknight Meal Magic: From start to finish, this dish comes together in under an hour, making it a perfect solution for families craving a delicious, hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Your Ingredient Guide for Chicken Tamale Pie

• Corn Muffin Mix: Provides the foundational cornbread layer with a sweet and hearty base for the pie.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and richness to the corn muffin batter for a tender texture.

• Chicken: Lean protein that serves as the main filling of the tamale pie.
• Corn, Tomato Sauce, Green Chiles: Fresh and canned vegetables that add moisture, sweetness, and mild heat to the dish.
• Onion, Bell Pepper: Aromatic vegetables that provide depth of flavor and texture to the chicken mixture.

• Taco Seasoning, Chili Powder: Spice blends that create a bold, southwestern flavor profile.
• Cheese: Melts beautifully to create a golden, gooey topping for the pie.
• Scallions, Cilantro: Fresh herbs that add brightness and a pop of color.
• Lime Wedges: Provides a fresh, tangy accent to cut through the rich flavors.

How to Layer and Bake Chicken Tamale Pie

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 425°F and position the rack near the top. Grab a 10-inch skillet and give it a light spray of cooking oil.

Step 2: Create Cornbread Base

Mix your corn muffin batter following the package instructions. Stir in some creamy sour cream for extra richness. Pour the batter into the prepared skillet and bake until it turns a gorgeous golden brown, around 15 minutes. Pull it out of the oven when done.

Step 3: Sauté Colorful Veggies

• Chopped onions
• Diced bell peppers

Cook these until they become soft and fragrant, about 10 minutes.

Step 4: Build Flavor-Packed Chicken Mixture

• Shredded chicken
• Sweet corn kernels
• Tangy tomato sauce
• Zesty green chiles
• Taco seasoning
• Spicy chili powder

Remove the skillet from heat once everything is well combined.

Step 5: Assemble And Bake The Pie

• Shredded cheese
• Sliced scallions

Bake at 425°F until the mixture is heated through and the cheese starts to melt, about 15 minutes.

Step 6: Create Crispy Cheese Topping

Switch your oven to high broil. Keep the skillet in place and broil for 2 minutes until the cheese turns bubbly and develops golden brown spots.

Step 7: Finish And Serve

• Lime wedges
• Extra sour cream on the side

Tips for Getting That Tamale Texture Just Right

• Select Quality Chicken: Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for tender, easily shredded meat that absorbs seasonings perfectly.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust taco seasoning and chili powder to match your heat preference, using mild or hot variants for personalized flavor.
• Cornbread Base Trick: Stir sour cream into corn muffin mix for extra moisture and a richer, more tender cornbread foundation.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Use a combination of shredded cheeses like cheddar and monterey jack for maximum flavor and optimal melting.
• Prep-Ahead Strategy: Assemble the entire dish earlier in the day and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.

Storing Chicken Tamale Pie for Later

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled chicken tamale pie to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in refrigerator for 3-4 days, keeping freshness intact.
• Reheat: Place individual portions on microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes until heated through, stirring midway to ensure even warming.
• Freeze Option: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating in oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until warmed completely.

Savory Chicken Tamale Pie Recipe

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4.9 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired Savory Chicken Tamale Pie brings comfort and zest to dinner tables with its hearty cornmeal crust and spicy chicken filling. Rich layers of flavors merge into a satisfying one-pan meal that will delight you with its perfect balance of traditional southwestern ingredients.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
• 6 ounces (170 grams) extra-sharp white Cheddar cheese

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 cup chopped yellow onion
• 1 medium yellow bell pepper
• 1 (15 ¼-ounce/432 grams) can sweet whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 (4-ounce/113 grams) can chopped green chiles, undrained
• 1 teaspoon dark chili powder
• 1 (1-ounce/28 grams) envelope taco seasoning mix

Base and Liquid Ingredients:

• 1 (8 ½-ounce/241 grams) package corn muffin mix
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 (15-ounce/425 grams) can tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Cooking spray
• 2 scallions, sliced
• Cilantro leaves with tender stems
• Lime wedges
• Additional sour cream for serving

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C), positioning the rack in the top third of the oven. Lightly coat a 10-inch high-sided skillet with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare the corn muffin mix according to the package instructions, then fold in sour cream to enhance moisture and flavor. Pour the batter into the prepared skillet, ensuring an even distribution.
3. Bake the cornbread base for approximately 15 minutes, or until it turns a rich golden brown. Once done, remove the skillet from the oven and set aside.
4. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and bell peppers, sautéing and stirring periodically until the vegetables become soft and translucent, about 10 minutes.
5. Incorporate shredded chicken, corn kernels, tomato sauce, green chiles, taco seasoning, and chili powder into the vegetable mixture. Stir thoroughly to combine and distribute the seasonings evenly.
6. Remove the skillet from heat and spread the chicken mixture uniformly over the prepared cornbread base. Sprinkle shredded cheese and chopped scallions across the top for added flavor and texture.
7. Return the skillet to the oven and bake for 15 minutes, ensuring the filling is heated through and the cheese begins to melt.
8. Switch the oven to high broil without removing the skillet. Broil for 2 minutes, allowing the cheese to become bubbly and develop golden-brown spots.
9. Garnish the tamale pie with fresh cilantro leaves. Serve immediately with lime wedges and additional sour cream on the side for guests to customize their portions.

Notes

• Quick and Easy One-Skillet Meal that transforms corn muffin mix into a hearty, flavor-packed dinner with minimal cleanup.
• Customize your heat level by adjusting taco seasoning and chili powder to match your spice preference.
• Perfectly balanced dish combines sweet cornbread base with zesty chicken filling, creating a crowd-pleasing comfort food experience.
• Make-ahead friendly recipe can be prepped earlier in the day and baked just before serving, saving valuable dinner preparation time.
• Versatile ingredients allow simple substitutions like ground turkey, vegetarian protein, or different cheese varieties to suit dietary needs.
• Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges to brighten flavors and add a fresh, tangy dimension to the rich, cheesy pie.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking, Broiling
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg