Jul 14 2026
Restaurants›Reyes Mezcaleria›Tamal Recipe

Tamal Recipe

Inspired by Reyes Mezcaleria
Time2h
Serves4

masa wrapped roasted bell & evans chicken thigh, robust tomato sauce, cilantro

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Ingredients

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Masa Dough

Chicken Filling

Robust Tomato Sauce

Method

Prepare the Chicken Filling

  1. 1

    Cook the Chicken

    In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Season the Bell & Evans chicken thighs with salt, black pepper, ground cumin, and smoked paprika. Add the chicken thighs to the skillet and cook until golden brown and fully cooked, about 6-7 minutes on each side. Remove from heat and let cool before shredding into pieces.

  2. 2

    Add Garlic

    In the same skillet, add minced garlic (3 cloves) and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Mix in the shredded chicken to combine. Set aside to cool completely.

Make the Robust Tomato Sauce

  1. 3

    Sauté Onion and Garlic

    In a medium saucepan, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic (2 cloves) and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 4-5 minutes.

  2. 4

    Add Tomatoes and Spices

    Stir in the canned diced tomatoes, ground cumin, chili powder, and salt. Let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Adjust seasoning if necessary.

  3. 5

    Finish with Cilantro

    Chop the fresh cilantro and stir it into the tomato sauce just before serving.

Prepare the Masa Dough

  1. 6

    Mix Ingredients

    In a large bowl, combine masa harina, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add water and vegetable oil, mixing until a smooth dough forms. If the dough is too dry, add a little more water; if too wet, add more masa harina.

  2. 7

    Shape Tamales

    Using your hands, take a portion of masa dough and flatten it into a rectangle. Place a spoonful of the shredded chicken filling in the center and fold the masa over the filling to enclose it. Wrap in a corn husk or aluminum foil.

Cook the Tamales

  1. 8

    Steam the Tamales

    In a steamer pot, add water and bring to a boil. Place the wrapped tamales upright in the steamer, cover, and steam for about 1 hour, or until the masa is firm and cooked through.

  2. 9

    Serve with Sauce

    Remove the tamales from the steamer and unwrap. Serve hot with the robust tomato sauce drizzled on top.

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