This shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SeasonedGreetings
My favorite thing about the holidays is the food. I grew up in New Mexico, so we had the traditional New Mexican Christmas meal every Christmas Eve. We would eat pinto beans with green chile and cheese, pisole, and my favorite part…the tamales! I LOVE tamales, but I am picky and the only place I like them is in New Mexico. So if I get a craving, I need to make them. As much as I love the red pork tamales most people make, green chile chicken tamales are my favorite! They take a bit of time to put together, but they’re so worth it! Since it’s easier to make a bunch in one sitting, these are perfect to add to your stash of Holiday Party Recipes.
Green Chile Chicken Tamales Holiday Party Recipes
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 lb. chicken breast
- 1 c. green salsa
- 1/2 c. chicken broth
- salt and pepper to taste
For the maza mixture
- 4 c. maza found in the flour or Mexican food aisle
- 2 tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 c. chicken broth
- 1 lb. lard
For the tamales
- Corn husks at least 1 dozen
- cheddar cheese
- diced green chile
- Green Pepper Tabasco Sauce
Instructions
- Add chicken, salsa, broth and salt and pepper to a crock pot and cook on low for 4 hours.
- Once chicken is done, shred with two forks and set aside.
- While chicken is cooking, place corn husks in warm water and let soak for a couple of hours.
- Combine maza, salt and baking powder in a large bowl, then add the chicken broth.
- Add lard and mix with your hands until it is all mixed together.
- TIP: To see if there is enough lard, place a piece of the mixture in a glass of water...if it floats, it's the right consistency.
- Dry off corn husks, then spread maza on one (or two if they are small) like the picture above.
- Add chicken, green chile, cheese, and a couple drops of Tabasco Sauce.
- Fold the corn husks in at the sides, then at the bottom and wrap until secure, then fold the flap at the top.
- To make sure the tamale is secure, you can also tie it up with pieces of the corn husk like below.
- Steam them for about 45 minutes to an hour. You can tell when they're done by the
As New Mexicans are scared to death of not having enough food, we usually at least quadruple this recipe. You think I’m joking? I didn’t even make up this meme:
Seriously, though…these are delicious and I guarantee you’ll want leftovers. They also freeze great, so you can have some on New Year’s!
We also have plenty of spicy sauces for our feasts. I kid you not, my high school cafeteria had Tabasco sauce on every table. We put it on EVERYTHING! I think we would have bankrupted the school if we knew about the Green Pepper Sauce. It’s wonderful! You can find Tabasco’s new flavors at most stores in the condiments aisle. I found mine at Walmart. Also try the original and Chipotle sauces!
I won’t be able to go home for Christmas this year…and I’ll be 38 weeks pregnant, but I’ll still be making my tamales for Christmas Eve…it wouldn’t be Christmas without them!
What are your Christmas food traditions?
Christina Lakey | Food Apparel says
mmmmmm…..I love tamales! I was so intimidated the first time I tried, but they are really not that hard! And Green Pepper Tabasco is my FAVORITE of theirs! Oh, man, I think I might have to make these soon!
MARIE says
These sound quite delicious. We lived in New Mexico for a year and the food was Amazing!!
Erin says
I miss the food so much! Where in NM did you live?
Tiffany says
These look delicious! I’ve never had tamales before. I guess I need to change that!!
Emily says
These look delicious! Any chance I can get an invite for Christmas? I promise to bring Tabasco Sauce! #client