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    Home >> Latin American

    Chipotle Stuffed Chicken Tamales

    Modified: Mar 10, 2021 · Published: Dec 7, 2016 by Analida · • Word count:796 words. • About 4 minutes to read this article. • This post may contain affiliate links ·

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    Try some spicy chicken breasts stuffed with chipotle peppers, queso fresco and cilantro! Que Rico este pollo! #LiveForFlavor #VivaLaMorena #AddFlavor #ad | ethnicspoon.com

    I've upgraded my chicken tamales

    So, today's culinary offering is a different twist on tamales, a tasty traditional Latin American favorite. For starters there is no corn involved, and the chicken is not totally wrapped in the corn husk! Are you confused? Don't be. Introducing chipotle chicken tamales. 

    chipotle chicken tamales in corn husks on a white plate with enchilada sauce and salsa on the top left

    Jump to:
    • I've upgraded my chicken tamales
    • A little tamale history:
    • How to make tamales with chipotle chicken
    • Chipotle Stuffed Chicken Tamales

    Something I love about being a food blogger are culinary challenges. Getting those little brain cells working is very exciting to say the least. When you throw in infusing your heritage into the mix, that is when things really get interesting. Take chipotle stuffed chicken tamales, it embraces my heritage in an out of the box (or corn husk) kind of way. Let's take a peek!

    A little tamale history:

    Tamales date back to  Pre-Columbian times. Their first recorded appearance dates back to roughly  5000 B.C.  In her book  Cuisine and Culture Linda Civitello talks about how tamales were an integral part of Aztec culture.

    The busy market at Tenochtitlan (the capital of the Aztec empire) sold many different kinds, and tamales were also given to people at festivals. Individuals could take as many as they could carry in one hand. If you tried to go back for "seconds" however, you would be beaten, and your tamales taken away from you. I guess it didn't pay to be greedy!

    Ingredients for chipotle tamales, queso fresco & cilantro stuffed chicken breast. | ethnicspoonThe ingredients in this easy tamales recipe are flavorful and of the best quality. I actually love working with all of them.

    Steps to prepare chipotle stuffed chicken breasts: pound breast flat, add chipotle peppers, cilantro, queso fresco and tie. | ethnicspoon.com

    How to make tamales with chipotle chicken

    1. Pound out the chicken between 2 pieces of plastic wrap.
    2. Seasoned the chicken on both sides with Knorr® Chicken Flavor Bouillon Granulated Bouillon.
    3. 1 teaspoon of La Morena® Chipotle Peppers in Adobo, down the center of the breast, followed by chopped cilantro, and finally grated queso fresco.
    4. Tie the pieces of chicken with kitchen twine, and pan fry them until they're a beautiful golden color.

    The chicken is presented in a "hammock" made by tying overlapping  corn husks on either end with kitchen twine. Finally garnish with chopped avocado, tomatoes and red onion.

     

    chicken on corn husks on a white plate with salsa on the lower rightThroughout Latin America tamales are prepared differently. Even their names are different. In Puerto Rico, tamales are called pasteles, and in Venezuela the name is hallaca. Puzzling? Just a bit. There are many more! My chipotle chicken tamales are one of many. 

     

    chicken sliced up on a white plate with salsa and a fork on the left

    I like to plate my chipotle chicken tamales with a garnish made with  avocados, tomatoes, and red onions in lime juice. It looks so pretty and the flavor is outstanding!  

    By the way, if you have a couple of extra minutes, share my recipe for stuffed chicken tamales with your friends and family. If you have a couple of extra minutes, leave me a comment. I always LOVE to hear from my readers.

    Looking for more recipes?  
    Sign up for my free recipe newsletter to get new recipes in your inbox each week!  You can also find me sharing more inspiration in Pinterest and Facebook

    Try some spicy chicken breasts stuffed with chipotle Peppers in adobo, queso fresco and cilantro! | ethnicspoon.com

    Chipotle Stuffed Chicken Tamales

    Try some spicy chicken breasts stuffed with chipotle Peppers in adobo, queso fresco and cilantro!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main dish
    Cuisine: Latin American
    Keyword: chicken breast recipes, Mexican food, spicy recipe
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 298kcal
    Author: Analida Braeger

    Ingredients

    • 2 chicken breasts
    • 6 tsp chicken bouillon Knorr® Brand
    • 4 tsp chipotle peppers La Morena® Chipotle Peppers in Adobo
    • 8 Tbsp cilantro chopped
    • 4 Tbsp queso fresco grated
    • 8 corn husks

    Kitchen twine to tie up stuffed breasts in the corn husks.

    Avocado Garnish

    • 1 avocado diced
    • lime juiced
    • 2 Tbsp red onion diced
    • 1 Roma tomato cored, seeded and diced.

    Enchilada Sauce

    • 2 Tbsp canola oil
    • 2 Tbsp flour
    • 16 oz vegetable stock
    • 1 tsp garlic powder
    • ¼ tsp oregano
    • 2 Tbsp chili powder
    • ½ tsp cumin
    • 1 pinch cinnamon
    • 2 Tbsp tomato paste

    Instructions

    • Note: Soak corn husks in a rectangular glass dish for about 2-3 hours.
    • First, make the enchilada sauce by heating oil in a small saucepan, then stir in the flour. Next quickly whisk in the vegetable stock. Add the spices, tomato paste, and stir. Turn heat to low and cook for about 20-25 minutes, or until the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.
    • Cut each breast in half. You will end up with 4 pieces. To prepare the chicken for stuffing place each piece on a cutting board in between 2 pieces of plastic wrap. pound each piece individually until it is about ¼ " thick.
    • Sprinkle each piece with Knorr chicken boullion on both sides. Next, on each piece of chicken spread 1 ½ tsp. La Morena Chipotle Peppers in Adobo, 2 tsp. cilantro and 1 tsp. queso fresco.
    • Next, in a large skillet heat olive oil and pan fry pieces until golden brown on both sides.
    • Finally place the individual pieces of chicken in the center of each corn husk and tie ends to make a "hammock".
    • Note: You will need two corn husks for each hammock. They need to be placed with the wide ends touching, and overlapping.
    • To make the avocado garnish, place all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.
    • Serve chicken with enchilada sauce and avocado garnish.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 298kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 876mg | Potassium: 686mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2025IU | Vitamin C: 10.6mg | Calcium: 109mg | Iron: 1.9mg

     

    You might also like to try these:

    • Avocado Chicken Sandwich
      Try a Latin style open face sandwich. Layer some chili lime chicken with avocado, tomatoes and queso fresco for a healthy lunch or dinner! | ethnicspoon.com
    • Thai Style Chicken Wings
      a white plate of thai chicken wings with tongs
    • Creamy Curry Chicken Salad Wraps
      Try a spicy new wrap! Creamy and spicy curry chicken salad wrap add a bit of ethnic flair to your lunch or dinner. You can also slice these narrow and serve as an appetizer too! The secret sauce: a bit of my homemade curry blend whipped into some Greek yogurt. This is a really healthy recipe wrapped in a large flour tortilla! | ethnicspoon.com
    « Eating Healthy Through the Holidays
    Awesome Appetizers and Cocktails »
    313 shares
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Adriana Martin

      December 07, 2016 at 4:14 pm

      What a great alternative to corn masa tamales, flavorful and simple to make. Thanks for yoru participation on this shop ~client

      Reply
      • Analida

        December 07, 2016 at 4:48 pm

        You are welcome Adriana! This was a fun one to participate in. 🙂

        Reply
    2. laura@motherwouldknow

      December 08, 2016 at 12:13 pm

      Chicken breasts in a hammock - how adorable! Plus the flavors sound fabulous. You've really turned an ordinary piece of chicken into a feast for the eyes, as well as the stomach.

      Reply
      • Analida

        December 08, 2016 at 6:47 pm

        Thanks so much Laura. You always say the nicest things! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Karly

      December 12, 2016 at 9:50 am

      Holy cow, this chicken looks awesome! Love the little kick, and your presentation is on point. Need to try this soon!

      Reply
      • Analida

        December 12, 2016 at 5:23 pm

        Thanks Karly. I had fun with these! Hope you like them.

        Reply
    4. Annie Hall

      February 01, 2017 at 9:50 am

      Chicken Tamales sound amazing! Why have I not heard of them before? I'm going to try these at the weekend. MMMMM hmmmmm.

      Reply
      • Analida

        February 01, 2017 at 6:38 pm

        Hi Annie! Let me know how they turn out. These are actually a take on a traditional tamal which is cooked in the wrapper.

        Reply
    5. Nelly P

      July 23, 2018 at 9:23 am

      5 stars
      I enjoy participating in a culinary challenge. Your blog is the perfect destination for receiving mind-blowing recipe.

      Reply
      • Analida

        July 24, 2018 at 9:45 am

        Thanks Nelly!

        Reply

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    Analida profile pictureI have been researching and creating ethnic recipes for over 20 years. I love to share "mostly healthy" easy and affordable ethnic recipes using fresh ingredients, with a bit of culture and food history sprinkled in.... Read more-->

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