They’re also a traditional Christmas dish for many Southerners of Latin American heritage, especially folks in Texas.

Ingredients for Chicken Tamales

Grab your grocery list.

More details are explained below, and the full recipe has a step-by-step guide with photos.

Southern Living Chicken Tamales on a plate ready to serve

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It’s a tedious task, but the reward is great.

Double or triple the recipe, and everyone can take some tamales home.

Or make it more of a meal: Sides likecharro beansare a great idea, as iselotes.

Southern Living Chicken Tamales ingredients

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A bowl ofposoleis also welcome, and like tamales, commonly served at the holidays.

Ingredients

2 (12-oz.

)bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts

1 large (12oz.

Southern Living Chicken Tamales on a platter to serve

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candiced tomatoes, drained

2to 4Tbsp.chopped chipotle chiles in adobo sauce(from 1 [7-oz.]

Drain broth into a colander placed over a large bowl; discard solids.

Shred the chicken:

Shred chicken, discarding skin and bones.

Southern Living Chicken Tamales cooking the chicken

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Add chicken, diced tomatoes, chipotle chiles in adobo, and 3/4 cup reserved broth.

Cook, stirring often, until tomatoes break down and liquid slightly reduces, about 8 minutes.

Remove from heat; cover and set aside.

Southern Living Chicken Tamales letting the chicken cool

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If necessary, add 1/2 cup reserved broth if dough seems stiff.

Add baking powder and remaining 2 teaspoons salt.

Place seam side down on a cutting board or plate.

Southern Living Chicken Tamales shredding the chicken

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Repeat process with remaining corn husks, masa mixture, and chicken mixture.

Arrange tamales vertically in steamer basket so closed ends are facing down and open ends are facing up.

Serve with desired toppings.

Southern Living Chicken Tamales preparing the chicken filling

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Chicken Tamales soaking the corn husks in water

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Chicken Tamales whisking together the masa mixture

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Chicken Tamales adding the oil to the masa mixture

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Chicken Tamales adding the oil to the masa mixture

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Chicken Tamales patting the corn husks dry

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Chicken Tamales spreading the corn husk with the masa mixture

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Chicken Tamales adding the chicken mixture to the tamales

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Chicken Tamales folding the tamales shut

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Chicken Tamales placing the tamales in the pan

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Chicken Tamales after steaming

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Chicken Tamales on a platter ready to serve

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless