Savory Southwest Tamale Pie Recipe: A Comforting Fiesta Bake

Hearty and comforting, this delectable tamale pie recipe bursts with authentic southwestern flavors that dance across your palate.

Layers of seasoned ground beef mingle with vibrant spices and fresh ingredients.

Cornbread creates a golden, crispy topping that perfectly complements the rich, savory filling beneath.

Each forkful promises a delightful blend of textures and zesty southwestern notes.

The dish delivers a satisfying meal that speaks to traditional comfort food with a modern twist.

Warm, inviting, and packed with bold flavors, this tamale pie will become an instant favorite at your dinner table.

Let’s find out this mouthwatering recipe and transform an ordinary evening into a culinary celebration.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 7

Chicken Tamale Pie: What Brings It to Life

• Corn Muffin Mix: Provides a tender, slightly sweet foundation that mimics traditional tamale texture.
• Cooking Spray: Ensures effortless release and prevents sticking during baking.

• Rotisserie Chicken: Delivers succulent, pre-cooked meat with robust flavor and convenient preparation.
• Extra-Sharp White Cheddar Cheese: Adds tangy, rich complexity and creates a melty, golden topping.

• Yellow Onion: Introduces sweet, aromatic depth to the overall dish.
• Tomato Sauce: Creates a moisture-rich, zesty base that enhances the pie's saucy consistency.
• Chopped Green Chiles: Brings mild heat and distinctive southwestern punch.
• Sweet Whole Kernel Corn: Contributes bursts of natural sweetness and textural contrast.

• Cilantro Leaves: Provides bright, herbal notes that elevate the dish's complexity.
• Scallions: Offers crisp, mild onion flavor with vibrant green color.
• Lime Wedges: Delivers a tangy, citrusy spark that cuts through the richness.

Essentials That Support Your Tamale Pie Success

• 10-inch skillet: Essential for baking cornbread and cooking chicken mixture.
• Mixing bowl: Perfect for preparing corn muffin batter with sour cream.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring ingredients smoothly.
• Cheese grater: Helpful for shredding cheese if using block cheese.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Cutting board: Useful for chopping scallions and preparing garnishes.
• Sharp knife: Needed for slicing scallions and cilantro.
• Broiler or oven: Required for final baking and cheese browning.

Layer by Layer: Building the Perfect Tamale Pie

• Cornbread Foundation

Create a fluffy base using corn muffin mix and a splash of sour cream. Bake in a skillet until golden and slightly crispy, forming a delicious platform for the hearty topping.

• Savory Filling Preparation

Sauté onions and bell peppers until they’re soft and fragrant. Blend in tender chicken, sweet corn, zesty tomato sauce, spicy green chiles, and a blend of robust seasonings that will make taste buds dance.

• Cheesy Baked Comfort

Layer the spiced chicken mixture over the golden cornbread foundation. Sprinkle generously with melty cheese and fresh scallions. Return to the oven until everything is heated through and bubbling with deliciousness.

• Final Flourish

Give the pie a quick broil to create a gorgeous golden cheese crust. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and serve alongside tangy lime wedges for an extra burst of flavor. Sour cream on the side adds a cool, creamy complement to this warming dish.

Smart Tips for Nailing Chicken Tamale Pie

• Add a dash of smoked paprika or chipotle powder to the chicken mixture for an extra smoky kick that'll make taste buds dance.
• Prepare the cornbread base and chicken filling separately up to 24 hours in advance. Assemble and bake just before serving for a stress-free meal prep.
• Replace chicken with black beans, roasted sweet potatoes, or plant-based ground meat for a delicious vegetarian twist that doesn't compromise on flavor.
• Dial up the heat by adding diced jalapeños or using hot taco seasoning, or keep it mild by choosing a gentle chile blend that suits everyone's taste preferences.
• Transform cold leftovers into a killer breakfast by topping with a fried egg or mixing into a morning scramble for a protein-packed start to your day.

How to Bring Tamale Pie to the Table Beautifully

• Zesty Fiesta Plating: Arrange the tamale pie on a colorful ceramic plate, creating a vibrant presentation that showcases the golden cheese and bright green cilantro.
• Cool and Creamy Companions: Serve alongside a generous dollop of sour cream and fresh lime wedges to add a tangy, refreshing contrast to the rich, spicy chicken mixture.
• Hearty Side Symphony: Complement the dish with a crisp Mexican-style salad or a light corn and black bean salsa to balance the robust flavors and add extra texture to the meal.
• Family-Style Sharing: Present the skillet directly at the table, allowing everyone to scoop out their own portion and enjoy the warm, comforting dish together with tortilla chips or crusty bread.

Storage Tips for Tamale Pie Leftovers

• Smart Meal Prep: Cook extra chicken mixture and store separately in airtight containers for quick future dinners. Refrigerate components up to 3 days for easy reheating.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Assemble entire casserole before baking, wrap tightly in freezer-safe dish, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before cooking.
• Portion Control Hack: Divide tamale pie into individual servings using meal prep containers. Grab-and-go lunches become effortless with this smart technique.
• Leftover Transformation: Reheat slices in oven at 350°F for crispy edges. Mix remaining pieces with fresh greens for a delicious salad topper or stuff into warm tortillas for instant tacos.

Hearty Tamale Pie Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired tamale pie delivers a hearty casserole combining tender ground beef, zesty spices, and cornbread topping. Savory layers create a comforting meal that will make you crave seconds at the dinner table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (from 1 whole chicken)
• 1 package (8.5 oz / 241 g) corn muffin mix (like Jiffy)
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) tomato sauce
• 1 can (4 oz / 113 g) chopped green chiles, undrained
• 1 can (15.25 oz / 432 g) sweet whole kernel corn, drained (about 1.5 cups)
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion (from 1 medium onion)
• 6 oz (170 g) extra-sharp white Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1.5 cups)
• 2 scallions, sliced (0.5 cup)
• Cilantro leaves with tender stems
• Lime wedges, for serving
• Cooking spray

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Instructions

1. Prep Cornbread Base: Ignite oven to 425°F, grease cast iron skillet. Craft corn muffin mix with sour cream for enhanced moisture, spreading batter evenly and baking 15-17 minutes until golden and firm.
2. Vegetable Foundation: Sauté onions and bell peppers in olive oil until translucent, developing deep flavor profile and soft texture.
3. Protein and Seasoning Fusion: Integrate shredded chicken, sweet corn, tomato sauce, green chiles, taco seasoning, and chili powder into vegetable mixture, creating robust and harmonious filling.
4. Layer and Assemble: Distribute chicken mixture across partially baked cornbread base, ensuring uniform coverage and maximum flavor distribution.
5. Cheese and Finish: Blanket dish with shredded cheese and green onions, returning to oven for 12-15 minutes until cheese melts completely and filling reaches optimal temperature.
6. Final Crisp: Activate broiler for 1-2 minutes, developing a golden, slightly crisp cheese crust.
7. Presentation: Garnish with fresh cilantro, serve alongside lime wedges and sour cream, creating a vibrant and inviting meal.

Notes

• Boost Cornbread Moisture: Mix sour cream into the corn muffin batter for an extra tender, rich texture that prevents dryness.
• Perfect Vegetable Sauté: Cook onions and bell peppers slowly to develop deep, sweet flavors and create a flavorful base for the chicken mixture.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Watch carefully during the final broiling stage to achieve a golden, bubbly cheese topping without burning.
• Serving Pro Tip: Pair with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and extra sour cream to brighten the dish and add zesty, creamy elements.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg