Chicken Tamale Casserole

Welcome to a culinary adventure that combines the comfort of tamales with the convenience of a casserole. Today, we’re taking the classic flavors of Mexican cuisine and transforming them into a delicious and hearty Chicken Tamale Casserole. This recipe is perfect for those weeknight dinners when you want something both satisfying and special without spending hours in the kitchen. Let’s dive into the recipe details.

Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

• 1 rotisserie chicken, pulled (about 4 cups)
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup chile verde enchilada sauce
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

For the Tamale Dough:

• 3 cups masa harina
• 2 tsp coarse kosher sea salt
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
• 12 tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cut into pieces
• 3 cups frozen corn, thawed, divided
• 2-4 tbsp roasted poblanos, depending on spice preference
• 2 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, more if needed

Other:

• 3 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese, divided
• 1 cup chile verde enchilada sauce
• 2 tbsp cilantro for garnish

Directions:

1. Preheat & Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (204°C) and greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the Chicken: In a skillet, combine the pulled chicken, chicken broth, enchilada sauce, chopped cilantro, and garlic powder. Cook this mixture over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until everything is well blended and heated through.
3. Make the Dough: In a food processor, blend the masa harina, salt, sugar, baking powder, and black pepper. Add the cold butter, 2 cups of the thawed corn, and roasted poblanos. Pulse until the mixture is coarse. Gradually add chicken broth until the dough reaches the consistency of thick peanut butter. Fold in the remaining cup of corn.
4. Layer the Casserole: Press half of the tamale dough into the prepared baking dish. Layer with ¾ cup of Monterey Jack cheese, followed by the chicken mixture, and another ¾ cup of cheese. Top with the remaining tamale dough.
5. Bake: Spread the remaining enchilada sauce over the top dough layer, then sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. After this, remove the foil and continue to bake for another 10 minutes to allow the top to become slightly golden and bubbly.
6. Garnish & Serve: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Nutritional Info & Serving:

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Calories: 600 kcal per serving
• Servings: 8

This Chicken Tamale Casserole offers a comforting taste with every bite, filled with cheesy goodness, flavorful chicken, and a soft tamale base. Whether it’s a family dinner or a potluck, this casserole is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy the flavors of traditional tamales with the ease and simplicity of a casserole dish. Happy cooking!