Chicken Tamale Soup with Dumplings
This chicken tamale soup with dumplings combines tender chicken, a rich tomato-based broth, and hearty masa dumplings for the ultimate comforting meal. Perfect for cozy nights, this unique dish blends bold, Mexican-inspired flavors with the homestyle warmth of dumplings. Try this irresistible recipe, a twist on classic favorites!
Equipment
- 6-quart Dutch oven or similar large pot
- Food processor
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast
- 10 cups water, divided (or more as needed)
- 1 (12-ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 8 cubes chicken bouillon, crushed
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- 1 cup masa flour
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place chicken in a pot, cover with 8 cups of water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer for about 10 minutes, and then remove chicken to a plate to cool slightly.
- Transfer the cooking liquid to a 6-quart Dutch oven. Add tomato paste, chopped onion, crushed bouillon cubes, 2 tablespoons chili powder, and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat until the onion becomes translucent, about 5-10 minutes.
- Chop the cooked chicken into bite-sized cubes. Use a food processor to grind about 3 cups worth of chicken for the dumplings, while the remaining cubes go straight into the soup.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, masa flour, all-purpose flour, parsley, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Ladle out a bit of broth from the soup, let it cool, and gradually mix it into the dry ingredients to form a soft dough.
- Drop spoonfuls of the dough into the simmering soup. Let them cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes, until firm and cooked through. Note: These dumplings will be denser than traditional ones.
Notes
Serve hot with optional toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, or a squeeze of lime. Pair with tortilla chips or warm, crusty bread for extra comfort and flavor.