Description
Tamale Soup is a comforting and hearty dish inspired by traditional tamales, combining a flavorful broth with tender shredded chicken, black beans, corn, and masa harina dough dumplings. This easy-to-make soup is perfect for a cozy meal, featuring rich Mexican-inspired spices like cumin and chili powder.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 1 cup corn, frozen or canned
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Protein
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
Masa Dough
- 1 cup masa harina
- Water as needed
Instructions
- Heat broth: In a large pot, heat the chicken broth over medium heat to prepare the base for your soup.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot and cook until softened, releasing their flavors.
- Add vegetables and spices: Stir in the drained black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper, creating a robust and spicy broth.
- Simmer: Bring the soup mixture to a gentle simmer to blend the flavors together.
- Prepare masa dough: In a separate bowl, mix the masa harina with enough water to form a pliable dough suitable for shaping into small balls.
- Add masa balls: Drop small balls of the masa dough into the simmering soup, allowing them to cook and absorb the broth.
- Add shredded chicken and cook: Incorporate the shredded cooked chicken into the soup and let it simmer for about 15 minutes until the masa dumplings are cooked through and the chicken is heated.
- Serve: Ladle the hot tamale soup into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings such as chopped cilantro, sour cream, or shredded cheese if desired.
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider adding a splash of lime juice or some chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
- If you prefer a spicier soup, increase the chili powder or add some diced jalapeños with the onions and garlic.
- Leftover soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Vegetarian option: omit chicken and use vegetable broth instead.
- Masa balls may slightly thicken the soup; add extra broth or water if a thinner consistency is preferred.
