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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Return the skillet to the oven and bake for 15 minutes, ensuring the filling is heated through and the cheese begins to melt.
- 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.
- 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