Tamales have been served in Latin American since pre-Hispanic times. Tamales are made with Masa or Tamale dough made from corn. The tamale corn dough is easy to find in any Latin grocery store or your local neighbourhood store in the Latin foods section. Don’t forget to pick up some tomatillos to make green salsa along with your chicken tamales recipe.
Tamales can be traditionally eaten at any time of day – even breakfast! They made an easy meal, already packed to go and are filling for many hours. Our recipe is made with leftover chicken and a fresh homemade tomato sauce creating little bundles of yumminess! You can also change the chicken for pork or turkey. Try a few variations until you find your favourite.
Chicken Tamales Recipe
Have a few friends over, make a big batch and everyone has tamales to share. A fun, co-operative recipe to make. Need a how-to video? A quick YouTube search will net you lots of variations to help you stuff and roll the perfect tamale.
A traditional Mexican recipe passed down for generations
- 4 cups Tamale Corn Dough found in any latin store or grocery section
- 1 cup Crisco
- 1.5 cups chicken stock
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 2 lbs cooked chicken shredded or in cubes
- 2 cups green salsa or enchilada sauce
- 24 corn husks
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In a a bowl mix corn dough flour, crisco, salt, pepper and stock, mix with your hands until mixture is a bit sticky.
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Hydrate corn husks by putting in luke warm water in the sink or a bowl for 10-15 minutes.
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Take a husk in your and hand and but a heaping tablespoon of dough and spread evenly on husk.
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Add a small handful of chicken in the middle of the corn dough.
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Top with 1 tbsp of sauce.
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Add another tbsp of dough to cover chicken and sauce.
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Fold corn husk being careful to keep all of the dough inside.
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Tie ends with string or cut corn husk.
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Repeat until all husks are filled.
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Please tamales in a double boiler and steam for 2 hours. Check pot often and add more water.
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When the tamales are done an inserted toothpick will come out clean.
Worried about finding the ingredients for your chicken tamales recipe? Order them online! We used Maseca Corn Masa for Tamales
when we made our chicken tamales and used Los Chileros Corn Husks
. While tamales take practice to put together they become much easier with every batch you make. Plus, they are great to make ahead and a wonderful option for a party. Combine tamales with a couple of these delicious taco recipes for a true fiesta!
Check out these fabulous corn inspired dishes. Polenta Crostini, and Grilled Corn on the Cob with Cilantro Butter & Lime and enjoy this dish with some of our favourite Mexican recipes.
The smell of the corn masa and the tamales cooking brings back so many memories of our travels in Mexico. The smells of the taco stands, family meals, new experiences and beautiful new places. There is something special about the community created around food in Mexico. We think this recipe will bring back those memories for you too. Kids love unwrapping these chicken tamales – it’s part of what makes the experience of eating these so fun!
Let us know what you think of the tamales? We think they are just as good as the ones in Mexico!
This looks so good. I will be on the hunt for Tamale Corn Dough, maybe at the bulk barn. Also, what a great reason to save some corn husks!
That sounds so good! We are big fans of Mexican food in our house :)
Robin (Masshole Mommy) recently posted..San Diego Ghost Tour
I love tamales. I’ve always thought they would be too labour intensive to do at home. But this sounds doable!! Thanks!
Wow! Love the look of the finish product. A must share recipe!
I love these at restaurants, but I’ve never even considered making them at home! Nice!
Stacey – Seattle Mom Blog recently posted..Shrimp Dip – Creamy and Easy Appetizer Recipe
My husband and I both love tamales! These look so good!
Debra recently posted..10 Fourth of July Crafts for Kids
These look so good. I need to make them- my husband has never had them.
Ahh I love tamales!! Need to try this recipe state :)
Those look amazing! I love Mexican food but I’ve never had these before.
Love this! I’ve never made tamales but I love to eat them. Thanks for this inspiration! Very nicely done!
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It’s a family recipe? That makes it even more special!
Liz Mays recently posted..The Magic of Children and Project Sunlight
My sweet Mexican friend made me pork tamales, I didn’t like it that much. Only because I had never have tamales before so I think I felt weird about the taste. Usually the second time around I will learn to like it. Maybe chicken tamales taste a lot better than pork. What do you think? Is it just me being weird?
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My husband’s older brother married a woman whose family made Tamales annually (they had a big party to do it together). He has fond memories of that, and I bet this would be a nice treat for him.
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Making tamales is a labor of love! My family would make them during the holidays, and now that the dough can be purchased pre-made, we’ve had them a couple of times a year. Chicken is my favorite. Great recipe!
Sandra – The Foodie Affair recently posted..Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich
Thank you so much Sandra. It is pretty fun to make and eat. Love them with lots of fresh salsa too.
I’ve never tried it, but Gosh that looks so delicious!
Wow. I have to give this a try. It looks really delicious.
Tracy recently posted..Why The World Would End Without Art Communities
mmm I love tamales. Ive never had chicken but I would love to try them. Might try them sometimes this week
I haven’t tried making tamales before. This recipe makes me wanna try. Tamales really are yummy and filling,
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These look so yummy! Absolutely delicious! Thanks for sharing =D
Heidi recently posted..Ways to Incorporate More Fruits in Your Child’s Diet
These look delicious! I’ve never had tamales before but I’m definitely going to try this recipe!
I will have a look for the Tamale Corn Dough but I doubt I will find in locally
I’ve never had tamales before! I’m pinning this to try something new :)
I can’t wait to try these! I love tamales.
Aren’t they just the best!
These were so delicious! Made a party out of making them with a few friends and saved a bunch for a later day !!
Wonderful! So happy to hear that!
These look so good. I would have never thought to attempt to make tamales before but this looks easy!
Yes, much easier than you think they would be!
These tamales look amazing! I can’t wait to make them for my family!
I’m always looking for new dinner ideas and am so glad to have a new recipe! My family loves these and can’t wait for me to make them again!
Lisa J O’Driscoll recently posted..Silly Caramel Apple Pumpkin
Thank you Lisa! Can’t wait to hear what you think.
I have been searching for the perfect recipe and this is it! Thank you!
Wonderful! Enjoy!