Description

This Tamale Soup recipe is a comforting and hearty dish inspired by the flavors of traditional tamales. It features a rich chicken broth base combined with black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and tender shredded chicken. Masa harina dough balls are cooked directly in the soup, giving it a unique texture and authentic tamale flavor. Perfect for a cozy meal, this soup is easy to prepare and packed with warm, spicy seasonings including cumin and chili powder.

Ingredients

Broth and Vegetables

2 cups chicken broth
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup corn, frozen or canned
1 cup diced tomatoes
1 can black beans, drained

Seasonings

1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Main Ingredients

2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1 cup masa harina
Water as needed (to mix masa harina dough)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Heat the broth: In a large pot, heat the chicken broth over medium heat until warm.
Sauté aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until they become soft and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
Add vegetables and beans: Stir in the black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper, mixing well to combine all ingredients.
Simmer the soup: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Prepare masa dough: In a separate bowl, combine masa harina with enough water to form a soft dough that is easy to shape into small balls.
Drop masa balls into soup: Carefully add small balls of the masa dough into the simmering soup, which will cook and thicken the broth as they soften.
Add shredded chicken and cook: Stir in the shredded cooked chicken, and continue cooking the soup for about 15 minutes until the masa dough balls are cooked through and tender.
Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings such as sour cream, chopped cilantro, shredded cheese, or avocado slices if desired. Enjoy warm.

Notes

You can substitute cooked turkey or use rotisserie chicken for convenience.
For a spicier kick, add chopped jalapeños or cayenne pepper.
Masa harina is essential for the authentic tamale flavor; do not substitute with regular cornmeal.
Adjust the consistency of the soup by adding more broth or water if it becomes too thick.
This soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.