Cheesy Chicken Tamale Pie – A Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food

If you’re looking for a hearty, comforting meal that’s easy to make and bursting with flavor, look no further than this Cheesy Chicken Tamale Pie. This dish takes the authentic flavors of traditional Mexican tamales and simplifies them into a one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights, cozy family dinners, or even potluck gatherings.

Unlike traditional tamales, which require masa dough, corn husks, and hours of steaming, this chicken tamale casserole delivers the same delicious taste with a fraction of the effort. A golden, slightly sweet cornbread layer serves as the base, while savory shredded chicken, rich enchilada sauce, and melted cheese create a gooey, irresistible topping. Every bite is a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and cheesy goodness.

Whether you’re craving Mexican comfort food or need a quick and satisfying dinner for the whole family, this easy tamale pie with chicken is guaranteed to be a new favorite. Plus, with simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can have a delicious homemade meal on the table in under an hour.

Ready to make your own cheesy chicken tamale pie? Keep reading for the full recipe, step-by-step instructions, and pro tips to make it absolutely perfect every time!

What is Chicken Tamale Pie?

Chicken Tamale Pie is a Mexican-inspired casserole that transforms the bold flavors of traditional tamales into a quick and easy baked dish. Instead of assembling individual tamales wrapped in corn husks and steaming them for hours, this tamale pie recipe delivers the same delicious taste with a fraction of the effort.

At its core, chicken tamale pie consists of a moist, slightly sweet cornbread base, topped with tender shredded chicken, rich enchilada sauce, gooey melted cheese, and bold Mexican spices. Baked to perfection in a single dish, this one-pan meal offers all the comfort and heartiness of tamales without the labor-intensive process.

This dish is perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or meal prep because it’s not only easy to make but also filling and satisfying. Plus, it’s a crowd-pleasing comfort food that can be customized with your favorite ingredients, making it a staple recipe for anyone who loves Mexican-inspired flavors.

Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Chicken Tamale Pie

There are plenty of reasons why this cheesy chicken tamale pie deserves a spot in your dinner rotation:

✔ Easy to Make – No need to spend hours wrapping tamales! This tamale pie recipe requires just a few simple steps: mix, layer, bake, and enjoy.

✔ One-Pan Comfort Food – Everything comes together in a single baking dish, meaning less cleanup and more time to enjoy your meal.

✔ Cheesy & Flavorful – If you love cheddar cheese, enchilada sauce, and Mexican spices, you’ll adore the bold, satisfying flavors packed into every bite.

✔ Customizable – This easy tamale pie with chicken can be adjusted to your taste! Add black beans, corn, or jalapeños for extra texture, swap out cheese varieties, or use a spicier enchilada sauce to turn up the heat.

✔ Perfect for Leftovers – This dish reheats beautifully, making it a great make-ahead meal that tastes just as delicious the next day.

✔ Great for Feeding a Crowd – Whether you’re hosting a family dinner, game night, or potluck, this cheesy chicken tamale pie is guaranteed to impress guests and disappear fast!

Key Ingredients for the Best Chicken Tamale Pie

To make this delicious, comforting dish, you’ll need a handful of simple pantry staples and a few flavorful additions. Here’s what you’ll need:

✅ Cornbread mix – The base of the dish, creating a soft, slightly sweet layer that pairs perfectly with the savory toppings. You can either use a pre-made mix or prepare one from scratch.

✅ Shredded chicken – For the best flavor and convenience, use rotisserie chicken, leftover grilled chicken, or pre-cooked shredded chicken. This ensures your chicken tamale pie comes together quickly.

✅ Enchilada sauce – A key ingredient that adds rich, smoky, and slightly spicy Mexican flavors. You can use store-bought enchilada sauce or make your own for a deeper, homemade taste.

✅ Cheddar cheese – Provides the melty, gooey cheesiness that makes this dish irresistible. You can also mix in Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend for more variety.

✅ Mexican spices – Cumin, chili powder, and paprika bring warmth, depth, and a touch of heat to this dish. These classic taco seasonings enhance the overall flavor profile of your tamale pie.

✅ Jalapeños (optional) – If you love spicy food, adding sliced jalapeños gives this chicken tamale casserole an extra kick of heat.

✅ Black beans & corn (optional) – These classic Mexican-inspired ingredients add extra texture, fiber, and flavor to the dish. They also help stretch the recipe for larger servings.

How to Make Cheesy Chicken Tamale Pie

This easy tamale pie with chicken comes together in just a few simple steps. With minimal prep time and simple ingredients, you can enjoy a delicious, comforting meal in no time. Below, we’ve broken it down into easy-to-follow steps so you can recreate this cheesy chicken tamale casserole perfectly every time.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cornbread Base

The first step in making this cheesy chicken tamale pie is to get the cornbread base ready. It’s the foundation of the dish, and it’s what makes this recipe so comforting and delicious.

1. Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it’s preheated and ready for baking.
2. Follow the package instructions to prepare the cornbread batter. Typically, you’ll combine the mix with milk, eggs, and oil.
3. Stir in chili powder and cumin to add an extra layer of Mexican flavor. This step will infuse the cornbread with a warm, slightly smoky taste that complements the other ingredients.
4. Pour the cornbread batter into a greased oven-safe skillet or baking dish. A cast-iron skillet works great here, as it gives the dish a beautiful golden crust, but any oven-safe baking dish will do.

Step 2: Add the Chicken and Enchilada Sauce

Now it’s time to layer the key ingredients that give this chicken tamale pie its heartiness and bold flavors.

1. Spread a layer of shredded chicken over the cornbread batter. Use cooked rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked chicken for ease. The shredded chicken will soak up the flavors of the enchilada sauce as it bakes.
2. Pour enchilada sauce evenly over the chicken. Be sure to cover all the chicken with sauce to keep it moist and flavorful. This rich sauce brings out the authentic Mexican flavors in every bite.
3. For added texture and flavor, sprinkle a handful of black beans, corn, or jalapeños over the chicken. These ingredients will add extra crunch and spice to the dish, making each bite even more satisfying.

Step 3: Top with Cheese & Bake

Now for the best part—the cheesy topping! The cheddar cheese will melt beautifully over the layers, creating a gooey, cheesy top that’s irresistible.

1. Cover the dish with a generous amount of cheddar cheese. For optimal melt and flavor, use freshly shredded cheese. The cheese creates a rich, creamy layer that holds the tamale pie together.
2. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden and the cheese has melted into a bubbly, golden crust. Keep an eye on it to make sure the edges don’t burn. The cornbread should be fully cooked through, and the cheese should be melted and slightly browned.
3. Allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving. This allows the cheesy chicken tamale pie to set, making it easier to slice and serve.

Cheesy Chicken Tamale Pie

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• Author: chef Olivia
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

Cheesy Chicken Tamale Pie is a hearty, Mexican-inspired comfort food casserole featuring a sweet cornbread base topped with juicy shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, gooey melted cheese, and bold Mexican spices. This easy tamale pie with chicken is perfect for weeknight dinners or crowd-pleasing gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 box cornbread mix (plus ingredients called for on the box)
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or pre-cooked)
• 1 cup enchilada sauce (red or green)
• 1 cup black beans (optional)
• 1 cup corn kernels (optional)
• 1–2 jalapeños, sliced (optional)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican cheese blend)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or cooking spray (for greasing the pan)
• Fresh cilantro, avocado, sour cream, and sliced green onions (for garnish, optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large mixing bowl, prepare cornbread batter according to package instructions. Stir in chili powder and cumin for extra flavor.
3. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or oven-safe skillet with olive oil or cooking spray. Pour the cornbread batter into the dish and spread evenly.
4. Evenly layer the shredded chicken over the cornbread batter.
5. Pour enchilada sauce over the chicken layer and spread gently.
6. Add black beans, corn, and sliced jalapeños if desired.
7. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until cornbread is cooked through and cheese is bubbly and golden.
9. Let cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
10. Garnish with fresh cilantro, avocado, sour cream, and green onions if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

• For extra heat, use spicy enchilada sauce or additional jalapeños.
• Pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as smoothly; freshly grated cheese is best.
• Make it ahead by assembling the dish and refrigerating for up to 24 hours before baking.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice (1/6th of recipe)
• Calories: 425 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 750 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg

Keywords: cheesy chicken tamale pie, chicken tamale casserole, easy tamale pie with chicken, Mexican comfort food

Tips for the Perfect Tamale Pie

To make sure your cheesy chicken tamale pie turns out perfect every time, here are a few helpful tips:

✔ Make it Spicier – If you love extra heat, add more jalapeños or use a spicier enchilada sauce. You can even use a combination of mild and hot salsa for an extra kick.

✔ Use Freshly Shredded Cheese – While pre-shredded cheese is convenient, it doesn’t melt as well as freshly shredded cheese. Opt for a block of cheddar and shred it yourself for a smoother, creamier melt.

✔ Make it Ahead – If you want to save time, you can assemble the pie ahead of time and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Just make sure to add 5-10 extra minutes to the baking time if you’re starting with a cold dish. This makes it perfect for meal prep or busy evenings when you want a delicious homemade dinner without the fuss.

✔ Customize Your Ingredients – The beauty of this dish is how versatile it is. Feel free to swap the chicken for ground turkey or beef, add black olives for an extra layer of flavor, or even mix in some shredded zucchini for a veggie boost.

✔ Double the Recipe – This chicken tamale pie is so good that you’ll want to make a larger batch! You can easily double the ingredients to feed a crowd or have plenty of leftovers for the next day.

FAQs About Chicken Tamale Pie

Conclusion

This Cheesy Chicken Tamale Pie is an easy, delicious, and crowd-pleasing comfort food that’s perfect for any occasion. With its fluffy cornbread base, savory shredded chicken, and gooey melted cheese, it’s guaranteed to be a hit at your dinner table!

Try this recipe today and let us know how it turned out in the comments below. Don’t forget to share this easy tamale pie recipe with your friends and family!