Spiced Chicken Tamales with Authentic Corn Dough
Wrap tender spiced chicken in masa dough and steam to perfection for a traditional Mexican comfort dish. This mexican-inspired mexican ready in about 100 minutes pairs corn masa, water, chicken thighs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 240 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups corn masa
- 1/2 cup water
- 1.5 lbs chicken thighs
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, mix corn masa with 1/2 cup water until smooth. Let rest for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet. Sauté onion and garlic for 5 minutes. Add chicken thighs, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Cook for 10 minutes until golden.
- Step 3: Spoon 1/3 cup masa into a corn husk, shape into a triangle, and fill with 4 oz chicken mixture. Fold and secure with a strip of husk. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
- Step 4: Steam tamales for 45 minutes, then serve warm with salsa or avocado.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Chicken Tamales with Authentic Corn Dough take to make?
Total time is about 100 minutes (40 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Spiced Chicken Tamales with Authentic Corn Dough?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep corn masa from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Chicken Tamales with Authentic Corn Dough?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Spiced Chicken Tamales with Authentic Corn Dough for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Spiced Chicken Tamales with Authentic Corn Dough?
Mexican mexican like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
