Spicy Chicken Tamale Bake
This Spicy Chicken Tamale Bake is a delightful twist on the classic chicken tamale pie you love. Bursting with vibrant flavors and a comforting cornbread topping, this dish uses shredded chicken, black beans, sweet corn, and adobo chipotles to create a savory filling. Inspired by my favorite dish from Trader Joe's, this homemade version features fresher and healthier ingredients while still being budget-friendly. Perfect for sharing with family or friends, this one-dish meal is sure to become a staple at your dinner table.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cooked chicken breast
1 (Shredded into bite-size pieces)
Ground dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon
Whole wheat pastry flour
2/3 cup
Cornmeal
1/3 cup
Sugar
1/8 cup
Baking powder
1 teaspoon
Salt
1/4 teaspoon
2% low-fat milk
1/2 cup
Canola oil
1/8 cup
Egg
1 (Beaten)
Black beans
1 (15 1/4 ounce) can (Drained and mashed with a fork)
Sweet whole kernel corn
1 (15 1/4 ounce) can (Drained (use 1/2 cup))
Green chilies
1 (4 ounce) can (Drained)
Finely shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup
Sour cream
1/4 cup
Chipotle chiles in adobo
1 (4 ounce) can (Use 3 peppers from the can, chopped)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground mustard, flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.
3
Add the milk, canola oil, and beaten egg into the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
4
Finely chop two of the chipotle peppers and fold them into the batter. Use kitchen gloves or wash your hands thoroughly afterward to avoid irritation.
5
Pour half of the cornmeal batter into an 8x8 inch glass baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
6
Gently layer the mashed black beans over the cornmeal batter, spreading them evenly.
7
In a separate bowl, mix together the sour cream, 1/2 cup of corn, the remaining chopped chipotle pepper, cheddar cheese, and green chilies until well combined. Spread this mixture on top of the black bean layer.
8
Layer the shredded chicken over the sour cream mixture, distributing it evenly.
9
Finally, carefully pour the remaining cornmeal batter over the chicken layer, smoothing it out to cover completely.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
11
Allow the pie to cool for a few minutes before serving to let the flavors meld together.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Spicy Chicken Tamale Bake?
It is a flavorful twist on the classic chicken tamale pie featuring a savory filling of shredded chicken, black beans, corn, and chipotles topped with cornbread.
What inspired this Spicy Chicken Tamale Bake recipe?
This recipe was inspired by a popular dish from Trader Joe's, recreated with fresher, healthier, and more budget-friendly ingredients.
What oven temperature is required for this recipe?
You should preheat your oven to 400 degrees F before baking.
How should the chicken be prepared?
The chicken breast should be cooked and shredded into bite-size pieces.
What type of flour is used in the cornmeal batter?
The recipe calls for 2/3 cup of whole wheat pastry flour.
How many chipotle peppers are used in the Spicy Chicken Tamale Bake?
A total of three chipotle peppers from a 4-ounce can of chipotle chiles in adobo are used.
How are the chipotle peppers divided in the recipe?
Two finely chopped peppers are folded into the cornmeal batter, and the remaining chopped pepper is mixed into the sour cream layer.
What should I do after handling the chipotle peppers?
You should use kitchen gloves while chopping or wash your hands thoroughly afterward to avoid skin or eye irritation.
How do I prepare the black beans for the bake?
Drain a 15 1/4 ounce can of black beans and mash them with a fork before layering.
What size baking dish is needed?
An 8x8 inch glass baking dish is recommended for this recipe.
How do you layer the Tamale Bake?
Start with half the batter, then mashed beans, followed by the sour cream mixture, then shredded chicken, and finish with the remaining batter.
What is included in the sour cream mixture layer?
The layer consists of sour cream, 1/2 cup of corn, one chopped chipotle pepper, shredded cheddar cheese, and drained green chilies.
How long does the dish take to bake?
It takes about 25 minutes in a 400 degree F oven.
How do I check if the bake is done?
The top should be golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
Can I use any type of milk?
The recipe specifies 1/2 cup of 2% low-fat milk.
Is this a spicy dish?
Yes, it is considered spicy due to the inclusion of chipotle chiles in adobo and green chilies.
What kind of cheese should I use?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of finely shredded cheddar cheese.
Why should I let the pie cool before serving?
Allowing it to cool for a few minutes helps the flavors meld together and makes it easier to slice.
Does the recipe use whole kernels of corn?
Yes, it uses 1/2 cup of drained sweet whole kernel corn from a 15 1/4 ounce can.
How do I avoid overmixing the batter?
Stir the wet and dry ingredients together only until they are just combined.
What oil is recommended for the cornmeal batter?
The recipe specifies 1/8 cup of canola oil.
Is there sugar in the cornbread topping?
Yes, 1/8 cup of sugar is included to provide a hint of sweetness to the cornmeal batter.
What dry spices are used in the batter?
Ground dry mustard and salt are used to season the cornmeal mixture.
Can I make this recipe more budget-friendly?
The recipe is already designed to be budget-friendly by using staples like canned beans, corn, and flour.
What gives the cornmeal topping its lift?
One teaspoon of baking powder is used as a leavening agent for the topping.
Is this dish considered a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a one-dish meal because it contains protein, vegetables, and grains in one pan.
What type of cornmeal should I use?
The recipe requires 1/3 cup of standard cornmeal.
How many servings does this recipe make?
While not specified in the data, an 8x8 inch pan typically yields 4 to 6 servings.
Are the green chilies drained?
Yes, the 4-ounce can of green chilies should be drained before being added to the sour cream mixture.
Can I use this recipe for meal prep?
Yes, as a hearty bake, it stores well and can be a staple dinner option for families or friends.