Hearty Savory Chicken Tamale Pie Recipe: A Cozy Family Treat

Hungry souls seek comfort in hearty dishes that warm both body and spirit, and this irresistible chicken tamale pie delivers pure culinary magic.

Rich layers of tender chicken nestled between cornmeal and zesty spices create a mouthwatering experience that sparks joy at the dinner table.

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this recipe rises to the challenge with its bold southwestern flavors.

Melted cheese bubbles tantalizingly across the golden surface, promising a feast that satisfies deep hunger and delights the senses.

Packed with protein and bursting with authentic Mexican-inspired ingredients, this tamale pie turns an ordinary meal into an extraordinary celebration.

Every forkful promises a perfect balance of hearty comfort and vibrant seasonings that dance across your palate.

Dive into this delectable dish and let the delicious adventure begin.

Ways to Serve Savory Chicken Tamale Pie

• Pair with Fresh Salad: Complement the rich, hearty tamale pie with a crisp green salad tossed in a zesty lime vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast.
• Offer Cool Sour Cream Topping: Serve extra sour cream on the side, allowing guests to add a creamy, tangy dollop that balances the pie's spicy flavors.
• Create Taco-Style Side Platter: Arrange lime wedges, chopped cilantro, and sliced jalapeños on a small plate, letting diners customize their slice with fresh garnishes.
• Suggest Weekend Gathering Dish: Perfect for casual family dinners or game day parties, this one-skillet meal encourages sharing and creates a fun, communal dining experience.

How to Store Chicken Tamale Pie for Later Meals

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover tamale pie in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, maintaining delicious flavor and texture.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Wrap individual portions or entire pie in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freezes beautifully for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated portions in microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. For crispier edges, use oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying.
• Serve Smart: Remove from refrigerator 15 minutes before reheating to ensure even temperature. Top with fresh cilantro or extra cheese when serving to revive the dish's vibrant flavors.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 9

What You’ll Need for Savory Chicken Tamale Pie

• Cornbread Mix: Provides a golden, fluffy foundation that adds hearty texture and subtle sweetness to the dish. Choose a quality mix with minimal additives for best flavor.
• Sour Cream: Enhances cornbread moisture and adds tangy richness. Select full-fat sour cream for maximum creaminess.

• Chicken: Lean protein that creates the substantial core of the pie. Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts for easy shredding and clean flavor.
• Corn: Adds natural sweetness and delightful crunch. Use either fresh, frozen, or canned kernels depending on seasonal availability.
• Tomato Sauce: Provides moisture and deep umami undertones. Look for low-sodium varieties to control salt content.
• Green Chiles: Introduces mild heat and complex pepper flavor. Choose fire-roasted chiles for extra depth.

• Cheese: Creates a melty, golden crown that binds ingredients. Select a sharp cheddar or Mexican blend for maximum flavor impact.
• Scallions: Brings fresh, oniony brightness and vibrant color. Choose bright green, crisp stalks for best results.
• Cilantro: Adds fresh, herbaceous notes that complement the spicy elements. Pick bright green leaves without wilting.
• Lime: Provides zesty freshness that cuts through rich flavors. Select firm, heavy limes with smooth skin.
• Taco Seasoning: Delivers complex, spicy profile to chicken mixture. Consider homemade blend for fresher taste.
• Chili Powder: Contributes warm, smoky undertones to overall dish.

Tools That Help Make a Perfect Chicken Tamale Pie

• 10-inch high-sided skillet: Essential for baking cornbread and assembling entire dish.
• Mixing bowl: Needed for preparing corn muffin batter and combining ingredients.
• Large skillet: Perfect for cooking onions, peppers, and chicken mixture.
• Baking spatula: Helps spread batter and spoon chicken mixture evenly.
• Cheese grater: Optional for freshly grating cheese, if desired.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Chef's knife: Useful for chopping scallions and cilantro.
• Oven mitts: Protect hands when handling hot skillet.

How to Assemble a Savory Chicken Tamale Pie

• Cornbread Foundation

Create a fluffy cornbread base in a skillet, mixing sour cream into the batter for extra richness. Bake until golden and perfectly crisp around the edges.

• Vibrant Vegetable Sauté

Soften onions and bell peppers in a pan, developing deep, sweet flavors that will complement the hearty chicken mixture.

• Flavor-Packed Chicken Layer

Combine shredded chicken with corn, tomato sauce, green chiles, and bold spices. This layer will infuse the entire dish with southwestern charm and zesty warmth.

• Cheesy Baked Perfection

Spread the spiced chicken mixture over the cornbread, generously top with melting cheese and fresh scallions. Bake until everything melds together in a bubbling, appetizing display.

• Final Golden Touch

Place the skillet under the broiler for a quick burst of heat, creating those irresistible golden-brown cheese spots that make everyone’s mouth water.

• Fresh Finishing

Sprinkle fresh cilantro over the pie and serve with tangy lime wedges and a dollop of cool sour cream to balance the robust flavors.

Tips & Twists for Chicken Tamale Pie Fans

• Replace chicken with ground turkey, shredded beef, or black beans for a different protein twist that keeps the flavor exciting.
• Adjust chile and taco seasoning amounts to make the dish mild or extra hot, catering to your personal heat preference.
• Use rotisserie chicken to cut down cooking time and add instant flavor without extra prep work.
• Toss in extra vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or diced carrots to increase nutrition and create more texture in the pie.

Hearty Chicken Tamale Pie Recipe

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4.7 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired chicken tamale pie delivers comfort and flavor in one hearty dish. Home cooks can quickly assemble this crowd-pleasing casserole with simple ingredients and minimal preparation time.

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Ingredients

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• 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
• 6 oz (170 g) extra-sharp white Cheddar cheese
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion
• 1 medium yellow bell pepper
• 1 (15 ¼ oz/432 g) can sweet whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 (4 oz/113 g) can chopped green chiles, undrained
• 1 (8 ½ oz/241 g) package corn muffin mix
• 1 (15 oz/425 g) can tomato sauce
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 tsp dark chili powder
• 1 (1 oz/28 g) envelope taco seasoning mix
• 1 tbsp 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. Cornbread Foundation: Blend corn muffin mix with sour cream, then spread evenly in a 10-inch high-sided skillet sprayed with cooking oil. Bake at 425°F in the top third of the oven for approximately 15 minutes until golden brown.
2. Vegetable Medley: Sauté diced onions and bell peppers in olive oil over medium heat until soft and translucent, creating a flavor-rich base for the filling.
3. Protein and Spice Fusion: Integrate shredded chicken, corn kernels, tomato sauce, green chiles, taco seasoning, and chili powder into the vegetable mixture, stirring thoroughly to ensure even distribution of seasonings.
4. Layering and Cheese Topping: Spread the chicken mixture uniformly over the prepared cornbread base, then generously sprinkle shredded cheese and chopped scallions across the surface.
5. Final Baking and Broiling: Return the skillet to the oven, baking for 15 minutes to heat the filling. Switch to high broil for 2 minutes, creating bubbly, golden-brown cheese with crispy edges.
6. Presentation and Serving: Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and serve immediately, accompanied by lime wedges and sour cream for personalized flavor enhancement.

Notes

• Prep Ahead Strategy: Shred chicken in advance or use rotisserie chicken to reduce cooking time and simplify meal preparation.
• Skillet Selection: Use a cast-iron or oven-safe skillet for seamless stovetop-to-oven transition and even heat distribution.
• Moisture Magic: Adding sour cream to cornbread mix ensures a tender, rich base that prevents dryness and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Cheese Melting Tip: Let cheese rest for 2-3 minutes after broiling to achieve perfect melting consistency and prevent burning.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg