Tamales Verdes (Chicken Tamales in Green Salsa)
Soft, fluffy corn masa wrapped around shredded chicken in tangy tomatillo salsa, folded into corn husks and steamed. A festive Mexican tradition, perfect for making with family. Makes about 16.
Servings
Ingredients
Nutrition
Per serving
Steps
Soak the husks
Put the corn husks in a large bowl, cover completely with hot water and weigh them down with a plate so they stay submerged. Soak for 30 minutes until soft and pliable.
- 20 corn husks
- about 2 L hot water
✅ Done when: husks are soft, pliable and easy to fold
Poach the chicken
Put the chicken in a pot with the water and ½ teaspoon of salt. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook for 20 minutes, then lift out the chicken and shred it finely with two forks, keeping the broth for later.
- 500 g chicken thighs
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 1.5 L water
✅ Done when: chicken is cooked through and shreds easily
Make the salsa verde
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Make the masa
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Fill and fold
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Steam
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Rest and serve
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Soak the husks
Put the corn husks in a large bowl, cover completely with hot water and weigh them down with a plate so they stay submerged. Soak for 30 minutes until soft and pliable.
- 20 corn husks
- about 2 L hot water
✅ Done when: husks are soft, pliable and easy to fold
Poach the chicken
Put the chicken in a pot with the water and ½ teaspoon of salt. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook for 20 minutes, then lift out the chicken and shred it finely with two forks, keeping the broth for later.
- 500 g chicken thighs
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 1.5 L water
✅ Done when: chicken is cooked through and shreds easily
Make the salsa verde
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Make the masa
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Fill and fold
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Steam
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Rest and serve
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The Story Behind the Dish
Tamales are one of the oldest foods in the Americas. Aztec and Maya cooks wrapped corn dough around fillings and steamed them as portable food for soldiers, travellers and religious offerings.
Today there are hundreds of regional tamales across Mexico, sweet and savoury, wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves. Making them is a social event: families gather in the kitchen to spread, fill and fold dozens at once.
⭐ Why It's Famous
They are tied to Mexico's biggest celebrations, from Christmas to Día de la Candelaria on 2 February.
💡 Fun Fact
Tradition says whoever finds the plastic baby figure in the Rosca de Reyes on 6 January must host a tamales party on 2 February.
Mesoamerica (all over Mexico)
19.43°N, -99.13°W
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