Easy Tamale Pie Recipe: A Cozy Comfort Food Classic

Chicken tamale pie blends traditional Mexican comfort food with innovative culinary creativity.

Hearty and soul-warming, this dish reimagines classic tamale ingredients into a mouthwatering casserole experience.

Rich, spicy flavors dance across every forkful, promising a delightful departure from standard dinner routines.

The cornbread base provides a golden, slightly sweet foundation that beautifully balances robust meat and complex seasonings.

Southwestern-inspired spices infuse each bite with vibrant, bold character that tantalizes taste buds.

Melted cheese creates a luxurious blanket that elevates the entire composition.

Families and friends will find this crowd-pleasing meal impossible to resist.

Chicken Tamale Pie: A Flavorful Twist on a Classic

• Quick Skillet Comfort: This one-pan wonder transforms classic tamale flavors into a hearty, cheesy chicken casserole that comes together in under an hour.
• Flavor Explosion: Packed with zesty taco seasoning, spicy chiles, and tangy tomato sauce, this dish delivers bold Mexican-inspired taste in every single bite.
• Texture Paradise: Enjoy the perfect contrast between crispy golden cornbread base, tender chicken, and melted cheese topping that creates a delightful mouthfeel with each forkful.
• Protein Powerhouse: Loaded with 40g of protein per serving, this meal satisfies hunger while providing substantial nutrition for active individuals and families seeking a filling dinner option.

The Secret to a Delicious Chicken Tamale Pie

• Chicken: Lean protein that provides the hearty base of the pie, preferably boneless and skinless for easy preparation.
• Corn: Sweet kernel corn that adds texture and natural sweetness to the filling.
• Tomato Sauce: Rich sauce that helps bind the chicken mixture and provides a classic Mexican-inspired flavor.

• Taco Seasoning: Pre-mixed spice blend that delivers authentic Mexican-style flavor profile.
• Chili Powder: Warm, slightly smoky spice that enhances the overall depth of the dish.
• Chiles: Adds a subtle heat and traditional Mexican pepper flavor, can be adjusted for spice preference.

• Corn Muffin Mix: Convenient base that creates a quick and easy cornbread foundation for the pie.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and richness to the cornbread base, creating a tender texture.
• Cheese: Melty topping that provides creamy richness and golden color when baked.
• Scallions, Cilantro: Fresh herbs that add bright, fresh flavor and color to the final dish.
• Bell Pepper, Onions: Aromatic vegetables that provide flavor complexity and texture to the filling.
• Lime Wedges: Bright, acidic garnish that adds a fresh citrus note to balance the rich pie.
• Oil: Used for sautéing vegetables and preventing sticking.

How to Make Chicken Tamale Pie with Perfect Flavors

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Skillet

Warm up the oven to 425°F. Lightly grease a 10-inch skillet with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create the Cornbread Base

Mix corn muffin batter according to package instructions. Fold in sour cream for extra moisture and flavor. Pour the batter into the prepared skillet and bake for 15 minutes until it turns golden brown.

Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables

• Diced onions
• Chopped bell peppers

Cook the vegetables until they become soft and slightly translucent, about 10 minutes.

Step 4: Build the Chicken Filling

• Shredded chicken
• Corn kernels
• Tomato sauce
• Diced green chiles
• Taco seasoning
• Chili powder

Stir the ingredients together and remove from heat.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake the Pie

• Shredded cheese
• Chopped scallions

Bake for 15 minutes until the dish is heated through and bubbly.

Step 6: Final Touches

Broil the pie for 2 minutes to create a golden, crispy cheese topping. Garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve hot with lime wedges and a dollop of sour cream on the side.

Tricks for Crafting the Best Chicken Tamale Pie

• Boost Flavor Depth: Add a splash of chicken broth to the meat mixture for extra richness and moisture.
• Perfect Corn Muffin Base: Let the muffin batter rest for 5 minutes before pouring into the skillet to achieve a more tender texture.
• Customize Spice Level: Adjust taco seasoning and chili powder to match your preferred heat intensity.
• Cheese Selection Trick: Use a blend of monterey jack and cheddar for a more complex, melty cheese topping.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the chicken mixture and cornbread base separately up to a day in advance, then assemble and bake when ready to serve for maximum convenience.

How to Enjoy Leftover Chicken Tamale Pie

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within two hours of cooking to maintain freshness and food safety. Stored properly, chicken tamale pie will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Reheat individual portions in the microwave by covering with a damp paper towel and heating in 30-second intervals until warmed through, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly. For the best texture, warm in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, which helps restore the crispy cornbread top and prevents sogginess.
• Freeze leftover tamale pie in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, ensuring the dish maintains its delicious flavors and hearty texture.

Best Drinks to Pair with Chicken Tamale Pie

• Savor Zesty Margarita Pairing: Complement the spicy chicken tamale pie with a refreshing classic margarita, blending tequila, lime juice, and triple sec to cut through the rich, cheesy flavors.
• Enhance with Fresh Guacamole: Serve a side of creamy, homemade guacamole featuring ripe avocados, diced tomatoes, and a hint of cilantro to add a cool, creamy contrast to the warm, spicy pie.
• Cool Down with Mexican Coleslaw: Create a tangy Mexican-style coleslaw with shredded cabbage, carrots, jalapeños, and a lime-cilantro dressing to provide a crisp, bright accompaniment that balances the hearty pie.
• Boost with Mexican Lager: Pair the dish with a crisp, light Mexican beer like Corona or Modelo Especial, which helps cleanse the palate and complements the dish's bold, zesty flavors.

Creative Takes on Chicken Tamale Pie

• Mexican Street Corn Chicken Pie: Replace corn in filling with grilled Mexican street corn kernels, adding cotija cheese and extra chili powder for authentic street food flavor.
• Smoky Chipotle Chicken Fusion: Swap tomato sauce with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, incorporate smoked paprika, and use pepper jack cheese for a spicier, smokier version.
• Green Chile Chicken Casserole: Increase green chiles, use green enchilada sauce instead of tomato sauce, and top with additional green onions and roasted green chiles for intense southwestern character.
• Southwest Vegetarian Adaptation: Substitute chicken with black beans and roasted sweet potatoes, keeping the same spice profile and cornbread base for a hearty meatless alternative.

Tamale Pie Recipe

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4.7 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired chicken tamale pie delivers comfort and zest in one skillet. Cornmeal, juicy chicken, and melted cheese create a hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Primary Protein:

• 3 cups packed shredded rotisserie chicken (from 1 whole chicken)

Main Dry and Wet Ingredients:

• 1 (8 ½-ounce / 241 grams) package corn muffin mix (like Jiffy)
• 1 (15-ounce / 425 grams) can tomato sauce
• 1 (4-ounce / 113 grams) can chopped green chiles, undrained
• 1 (15 ¼-ounce / 432 grams) can sweet whole kernel corn, drained (about 1 ½ cups)

Supplementary Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped yellow onion (from 1 medium onion)
• 6 ounces (170 grams) extra-sharp white Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 ½ cups)
• 2 scallions, sliced (½ cup)
• Cilantro leaves with tender stems
• Lime wedges, for serving
• Cooking spray

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 425°F (220°C) and lightly coat a 10-inch cast iron skillet with cooking spray.
2. Prepare the corn muffin mix according to package instructions, folding in full-fat sour cream for extra moisture and richness.
3. Pour the enhanced corn muffin batter into the prepared skillet and bake for 15-17 minutes until the surface turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
4. While the cornbread base bakes, heat olive oil in a separate skillet over medium heat and sauté diced onions and chopped bell peppers until they become translucent and tender, approximately 8-10 minutes.
5. Add shredded cooked chicken, sweet corn kernels, tomato sauce, diced green chiles, taco seasoning, and ground chili powder to the vegetable mixture, stirring to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
6. Remove the partially baked cornbread from the oven and spread the chicken and vegetable mixture evenly across the surface.
7. Sprinkle shredded cheese and thinly sliced green onions over the top, then return the skillet to the oven for an additional 12-15 minutes until the filling is heated through and the cheese melts completely.
8. Switch the oven to broil and cook for 1-2 minutes to create a golden, slightly crispy cheese topping.
9. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and serve immediately with lime wedges and additional sour cream on the side.

Notes

• Customize this hearty one-skillet meal by swapping ground chicken or turkey for shredded chicken.
• Prep ingredients ahead of time to streamline cooking and reduce kitchen stress during busy weeknights.
• Leftover pie stays fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container.
• Freeze individual portions wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for convenient future meals.
• For extra heat, add diced jalapeños or increase the amount of chili powder and taco seasoning.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 480 kcal
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 1200mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 40g
• Cholesterol: 90mg