Achiote Chicken Tamales

  0.0 – 0 reviews  • High Fiber
Level: Intermediate
Total: 6 hr
Active: 50 min
Yield: 15 servings

Ingredients

  1. One 1-pound bag dry corn husks
  2. 6 cloves garlic
  3. 4 dried guajillo chiles, stemmed and seeds removed
  4. 4 dried pasilla chiles, stemmed and seeds removed
  5. 1/2 white onion, cut into 2 wedges
  6. 2 tablespoons canola oil
  7. 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  8. 2 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
  9. Ground black pepper, to taste
  10. 1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
  11. 2 ounces achiote paste
  12. Extra-virgin olive oil, for cooking and making masa
  13. 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  14. 2 pounds fresh corn masa
  15. 2 teaspoons baking powder
  16. 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
  17. 1 pound jack cheese, cut into 1-ounce sticks

Instructions

  1. For the red chile sauce: Soak corn husks in hot water until pliable, about 2 hours.
  2. Meanwhile, boil garlic, guajillos, pasillas and onion in water until the vegetables soften, about 10 minutes. Blend the vegetables in a blender with 1 cup of the cooking liquid until smooth (see Cook’s Note). Strain the mixture, discarding the seeds and pulp.
  3. Heat the canola oil in a saucepan over low heat, then add the flour and cook, whisking, until a roux has formed, a few minutes. Add the chile mixture, then season with salt, pepper and cumin. Cook for an additional 15 minutes. Set aside.
  4. For the achiote chicken thighs: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  5. Mix achiote paste with 3 ounces olive oil by hand until a soft paste forms. Rub chicken thighs with the paste and place in a roasting pan. Bake until cooked through, 30 to 45 minutes.
  6. Chop the chicken into 1/4-inch cubes and mix well with 1 cup red chile sauce.
  7. For the tamales: Mix masa, baking powder, chicken stock and 1 1/2 cups extra virgin olive oil by hand until it is spreadable but still holds its shape.
  8. Spoon about 2 tablespoons masa into the center of the wider portion of the husks, then place 2 tablespoons achiote chicken in the center along with a piece of jack cheese.
  9. Roll up the husk, keeping the top open, and folding the narrower side over to seal the bottom.
  10. Place the tamales, open-end up, in a steamer basket and steam over a pot of boiling water, covered, for 1 hour.
  11. Let the tamales rest for 1 hour, then serve with additional red chile sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 of 15 servings
Calories 522
Total Fat 21 g
Saturated Fat 8 g
Carbohydrates 56 g
Dietary Fiber 5 g
Sugar 3 g
Protein 30 g
Cholesterol 100 mg
Sodium 551 mg

 

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