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How to Make Chicken Tamales

Learn how to make chicken tinga tamales from Chef Rick Lopez of Austin’s La Condesa.

Rick Lopez

3 Hours
20 - 24 Servings
Hard
Ingredients
  • For the masa:
  • 2 cups instant masa corn flour (such as Maseca)
  • 1 (14-ounce) can white beans
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • ¾ cup grapeseed oil
  • For the Chicken Tinga filling:
  • 3 teaspoons grapeseed oil
  • 2 ounces chopped garlic (about 1 medium head)
  • 2 cups chopped yellow onion ( ½-¾ medium onion)
  • ½ cup chopped jalapeños (about 2 medium jalapeños)
  • 2 cups shredded, roasted chicken (about ½ of a 2-pound rotisserie chicken)
  • 3 cups (24 ounces) tomato juice
  • ½ bunch cilantro, chopped (about ½ cup)
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
  • For assembly:
  • 30 30 medium to large corn husks (soaked in warm water for 30 minutes)
Instructions
    1.

    Make the masa: Mix masa corn flour with 1 ½ cups water in a large bowl. Use your hands or a spatula to work them together until masa is hydrated.

    2.

    Drain beans, reserving liquid. Add drained beans to a blender or food processor and purée until smooth. Add a little of bean liquid or a splash of water if necessary to blend.

    3.

    Add masa and ¾ cup water to a stand mixer with a paddle attachment. Mix until smooth and starting to whip together.  Slowly add in bean purée and salt and mix to combine. Mix well for 5 minutes before slowly drizzling in oil to emulsify ingredients. As mixture comes together, keep slightly cool while preparing to build the tamales. The mixture can sit in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours.

    4.

    Make the chicken filling: Heat oil in a Dutch Oven over medium heat and toast the garlic for 2–4 minutes. Add onions and jalapeños and cook until soft, 4–5 minutes.

    5.

    Add shredded chicken and mix well. Pour in tomato juice and cook, partially covered, over medium until it reduces down and chicken is fully cooked down and soft, about 30 minutes. Mixture should be soft and the liquid should be reduced, but not dry.  Stir in cilantro and season with salt and pepper. Cool filling completely before assembly.

    6.

    Assemble the tamales: Once pliable, lay corn husks flat. Fill center with about 2 ½ Tbsp. masa, leaving about 2 inches of space from the edges. Place 1 heaping Tbsp. chicken filling   lengthwise in center of masa; try to maintain a 2:1 ratio of masa to filling. Fold one side in towards center over filling,  then fold other side in to meet the first, cradling masa and filling in center. Pinch sides together and fold excess around filling, keeping it in the center. Once folded, flip in “tail” piece (or bottom) of corn husk.

    7.

    Lay seam-side down. Tear a small strip of husk and use to tie around tamale crosswise to keep secure for steaming. Place on a Sheet Pan seam-side up. Repeat with remaining tamales and filling.

    8.

    Set a steamer basket inside a large Stock Pot and fill bottom with water, keeping water level below basket. Stand tamales up inside pot with open side up. Cover with lid, bring to a boil over medium-high/medium, and steam until masa is custard-like and firm to the touch, 35–40 minutes. Let rest about 10 minutes before serving.

    9.

    Serve hot or reheat by steaming again or lightly toasting or grilling before unwrapping and plating.

    10.

    Serve with Salsa Roja or Salsa Verde.

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