Best Easy Tamales de Pollo en Verde Recipe

Fluffy masa tamales stuffed with chicken in tangy tomatillo green sauce. These protein-packed chicken tamales are a family holiday staple with fresh, vibrant flavors.

Cook 135 min Difficulty NORMAL 340 kcal
#high protein #mediterranean
Image coming soon
Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1.5 lbs
  • dried corn husks 24 pieces
  • masa harina 3 cups
  • chicken broth 2.5 cups
  • unsalted butter 0.5 cup
Seasonings/Sauce
  • fresh tomatillos (husked and rinsed) 1.5 lbs
  • jalapeño peppers 2 pieces
  • white onion 0.75 cup
  • fresh cilantro 0.5 cup
  • garlic cloves 3 cloves
  • kosher salt 2 tsp
  • ground cumin 1 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 38 g 45%
Protein 18 g 21%
Fat 12 g 34%
Serving size 240g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Soak dried corn husks in warm water for at least 1 hour until pliable, weighing them down if needed.

  2. 2

    Place chicken breasts in a pot, cover with water, add 1 tsp kosher salt, and simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes until cooked through. Shred the chicken and reserve 1 cup poaching liquid.

  3. 3

    For salsa verde: Simmer tomatillos, jalapeños, garlic, and onion in water over medium-high heat for 10 minutes until softened. Drain, then blend with cilantro, cumin, and 1 tsp salt until smooth.

  4. 4

    In a large bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy, then gradually mix in masa harina. Beat in chicken broth and reserved liquid until dough is soft and spreadable. Knead until smooth.

  5. 5

    Assemble tamales: Spread 2–3 tbsp masa on each corn husk, add shredded chicken and salsa verde. Fold sides in, then fold the bottom up. Arrange in a steamer standing upright, steam over medium heat for 1 hour 30 minutes, adding hot water as needed and keeping heat steady so tamales cook through without drying.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?
The heart of Tamales de Pollo en Verde is the fluffy masa made with masa harina and chicken broth, which forms the classic tamale dough. The vibrant salsa verde, prepared with fresh tomatillos and cilantro, combined with tender chicken filling, gives the dish its signature flavor and vibrant texture.
Q. What’s the most important cooking step for fluffy tamales?
Creaming the butter thoroughly before gradually mixing in the masa harina and liquids creates a soft, airy dough. Keeping a steady medium heat throughout the steaming process ensures even moisture retention, preventing dense or dry tamales.
Q. How do I avoid dry or undercooked tamales?
Soak corn husks until fully supple and keep the steaming environment humid by regularly adding water. Steaming tamales upright over medium heat for the recommended 1 hour and 30 minutes, without overpacking the steamer, helps every tamale cook through without drying out.
Q. How many calories and what protein-to-carb ratio does each serving have?
Each serving of these tamales provides about 340 kcal, with 18g of protein (21%) and 38g of carbs (45%), offering a balanced, protein-rich meal in every portion.
AI 채팅 아이콘