Description
Mexican-inspired chicken tamale casserole delivers comforting layers of shredded chicken, corn tortillas, and spicy cheese sauce. Hearty portions satisfy hungry diners seeking authentic southwestern flavors you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 1 lb (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 can (14.75 oz / 418 g) cream-style corn
- 1 can (10 oz / 284 g) red enchilada sauce
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
- 2 tbsps sour cream
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground cumin
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Station: Preheat oven to 400°F and thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray for seamless release.
- Craft Chicken Filling: In a skillet over medium-low heat, combine chicken, broth, sauce, cilantro, and garlic powder, heating until ingredients meld together and warm throughout.
- Develop Tamale Dough: Utilize food processor to blend masa, salt, sugar, baking powder, pepper, butter, corn, and poblano peppers into a cohesive, grainy consistency.
- Assemble Dough Base: Gradually introduce chicken broth to the mixture, processing until achieving a thick, spreadable texture, then fold in remaining corn kernels.
- Layer Casserole Foundation: Spread half the tamale dough evenly across the baking dish, creating a uniform base, then sprinkle cheese and distribute chicken filling.
- Complete Casserole Construction: Layer remaining tamale dough over the filling, drizzle chile verde sauce, and generously crown with cheese.
- Bake and Finish: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and continue baking for 10 more minutes until golden and crisp.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let casserole rest 5-10 minutes, garnish with fresh cilantro, then slice and serve.
Notes
- Masa Magic: Getting the right consistency is crucial; the dough should resemble peanut butter thickness, ensuring a perfect tamale base.
- Cheese Distribution: Layering cheese strategically between dough and filling creates rich, melty pockets of flavor throughout the casserole.
- Moisture Management: Adding extra chicken broth prevents the dough from becoming too dry, maintaining a tender, authentic tamale texture.
- Resting Rule: Letting the casserole sit for 5-10 minutes after baking helps it set, making cutting and serving much easier without falling apart.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg