Season 10 - Lunch / S10L29
Mexican Chicken Tamales with Mole
Story
The smell of mole wafting through the kitchen is enough to bring the whole family running. Don Luis remembers the first time he made tamales with his abuela—his hands covered in masa, his smile wide as he waited for the mole to simmer just right. “¡Ay, niño! No rush the mole,” she’d say, gently stirring the thick, chocolaty sauce as if guarding a family treasure. Now, it’s Don Luis’s turn to pass on the magic. He teaches the little ones to spread the masa with love, fill it with juicy chicken, and wrap each tamal like a tiny gift. Every fold carries history, flavor, and a whole lot of cariño 💖. As they wait for the tamales to steam, laughter fills the rustic kitchen. That’s the Don Luis way. Time, Calories & Cost
Ingredients
- For the masa:
- 4 cups masa harina 🌽
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt 🧂
- 1 cup lard or vegetable shortening 🧈
- 2½ cups warm chicken broth 🍗
- For the filling:
- 2½ cups shredded cooked chicken breast 🍗
- 1½ cups mole sauce (store-bought or homemade) 🍫🌶️
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder 🧄
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Other:
- 20–25 dried corn husks (soaked in warm water for 30 min) 🌽
Instructions
- 1Prepare the corn husks: Soak in warm water until soft (about 30 mins). Set aside.
- 2Mix the masa: In a bowl, combine masa harina, baking powder, and salt. Beat in the lard until fluffy. Gradually add broth until dough is soft but holds shape.
- 3Make the filling: Mix shredded chicken with mole, cumin, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Warm gently if using refrigerated mole.
- 4Assemble the tamales:
- 5Spread 2 tablespoons of masa on the center of a corn husk.
- 6Add 1 tbsp of chicken mole filling in the middle.
- 7Fold sides inward, then fold the bottom up to close.
- 8Steam the tamales: Place upright in a steamer pot. Cover with a damp cloth and steam for 60–75 minutes, until masa peels away easily from the husk.
- 9Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy with extra mole drizzled on top! 🤤
About the narrator
Don Luis · A character for three generations
Don Luis is the brand character and narrator for this catalog: a warm voice for Puerto Rican family recipes tested by the real creator behind the brand. The project carries three generations of flavor and writes each recipe step by step so any kid can follow it.
Read our mission →