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Chicken Tamales with Adobo Sauce

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  • Prep 30 min
  • Total 1 hr 50 min
  • Servings 60
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The authentic flavor in these chicken tamales comes from the corn masa in the dough and the corn husks they're steamed in. The chipotle chiles in adobo sauce give the chicken filling a slightly smoky taste. Put that all together, and you get homemade Chicken Tamales with Adobo Sauce that are sure to satisfy. This recipe is perfect for feeding a crowd!
By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Updated Nov 21, 2022

Ingredients

  • 64 dried corn husks, 4 husks reserved

Tamale Dough

  • 7 cups instant corn masa for tamales
  • 1 1/4 cups shortening
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 6 to 7 cups Progresso™ reduced-sodium chicken broth (from two 32-oz cartons)

Chicken filling

  • 1/3 large onion, cut into wedges
  • 2 small chipotle chiles in adobo sauce (from 7-oz can)
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 1/2 cups Progresso™ reduced-sodium chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, if desired
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
  • 4 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
Make With
Progresso Broth

Steps

  • 1
    Pull 1/4-inch strings from reserved husks to wrap tamales or use twine; set aside. Cover corn husks (including pulled strings) with warm water and let stand until pliable, at least 30 minutes.
  • 2
    Meanwhile, in large bowl, combine all tamale dough ingredients, starting with 6 cups broth. Beat with electric mixer until well combined, adding chicken broth as needed to make soft dough.
  • 3
    In blender, place all filling ingredients except oil and chicken. Cover; blend until smooth.
  • 4
    In 3-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Stir in tomato mixture. Cook about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until hot. Stir in chicken; cook over medium-low heat about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens. Drain sauce from filling; reserve to serve over tamales, if desired.
  • 5
    Drain corn husks; pat dry with paper towels. Place 3 level tablespoonfuls of dough on each corn husk; slightly spread out making indentation in center with back of spoon. Place about 1 tablespoon filling on center of dough and fold dough around filling. If husks are too small, overlap two corn husks. Fold bottom 1/3 of corn husk over filling; fold sides in towards center. Tie tops with corn husk strings.
  • 6
    In two 5-quart stockpots or Dutch ovens, place round cooling racks. Pour boiling water almost to top of rack. (Water should not touch tamales.) Place tamales on rack. Stand tamales inside pots, leaning against sides all around. Cover; reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer gently about 60 minutes or until tamale dough becomes firm. Add water if needed. Let stand uncovered 20 minutes.
  • 7
    Carefully unfold each tamale by removing string and opening husk. Spoon reserved sauce over each tamale, if desired.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

  • tip 1
    Feel free to use rotisserie chicken for these Chicken Tamales with red sauce—it makes preparation easier and adds flavor!
  • tip 2
    Serve your slightly spicy chicken tamales with refried beans, if desired.

Nutrition

110 Calories, 5g Total Fat, 4g Protein, 11g Total Carbohydrate, 0g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Tamale
Calories
110
Calories from Fat
50
Total Fat
5g
8%
Saturated Fat
1 1/2g
6%
Trans Fat
1/2g
Cholesterol
10mg
3%
Sodium
230mg
9%
Potassium
70mg
2%
Total Carbohydrate
11g
4%
Dietary Fiber
1g
6%
Sugars
0g
Protein
4g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
0%
0%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
2%
2%
Iron
6%
6%
Exchanges:
1 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 1 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
1
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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