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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- Vegetable Foundation: Sauté onions and bell peppers in olive oil until translucent, developing deep flavor profile and soft texture.
- 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.
- Layer and Assemble: Distribute chicken mixture across partially baked cornbread base, ensuring uniform coverage and maximum flavor distribution.
- 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.
- Final Crisp: Activate broiler for 1-2 minutes, developing a golden, slightly crisp cheese crust.
- 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