Shredded Chicken – Bead Yarn & Spatula

You may recall on Sunday I shared a recipe for a Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Chicken, well, today I am sharing the recipe that I used the chicken for… A Skillet Tamale Pie. I came across this recipe when I clicked on an article about using Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix for recipes other than corn muffins. I think that Jiffy Corn Muffins is one of the first things that I baked when I was younger. It had been years since I purchased a box before I purchased the one I used in this recipe. I’ve tried making cornbread and corn muffins from scratch using cornmeal and to be honest I don’t know why. It never has the sweetness that I want and the texture is always a little off. I should just stuck with this tried and true box mix.

To make the skillet tamale I began by generously greasing a 9-inch cast iron skillet with softened butter and preheated my oven to 400 F. In a large bowl I combined 1 box of Jiffy mix with buttermilk, an egg, cream-style corn and a can of diced green beans. I stirred these ingredients together until they were just combined and then poured them into the prepared skillet and baked it for about 25 minutes, until it was set.

I removed the skillet from the oven and poked the cornbread with a fork several times. I then topped the cornbread with the cooked shredded chicken. Next I poured red chile enchilada sauce over the chicken and topped the sauce with shredded Monterey-Jack cheese. I returned the skillet to the oven and baked it for about 15 minutes, until the cheese melted.

This was so delicious and filling and something I will definitely be making again. Maybe next time though with ground beef.

Skillet Tamale Pie

Servings: 6-8
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Ingredients:

1 box Jiffy Corn Bread Mix

1/3 cup buttermilk*

1 egg

1 14.75 oz. can of cream-style corn

1 4.5 oz. can of diced green chiles

1 8 oz. can of red chile enchilada sauce

1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey-Jack cheese

For serving:

Crema (Sour Cream)

Cilantro

Salsa

Lime Wedges

*I made my own buttermilk by stirring together 1/3 cup whole milk with 1.5 to 2 teaspoons of white vinegar in a measuring cup. After letting the mixture sit for about 15 minutes at room temperature it began to curdle on the top which let me know it was ready to use.

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 F.

Grease a 9-inch cast iron skillet generously with softened butter and set aside.

In a large bowl combine the Jiffy mix, buttermilk, egg, cream-style corn and green chiles and stir together until just combined. Pour into the prepared skillet and bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until set.

Remove the skillet from the oven and poke the cornbread with a fork several times. Top with either cooked shredded chicken or ground beef and top the meat with the enchilada sauce and then the shredded cheese.

Return the skillet to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese has melted.

Recipe from All Hail Jiffy Cornbread Mix

I would like to say Slow Cooker Sunday is back, but, considering I don’t have many slow cooker recipes lined up to try I will say that it will slowing be appearing on Sunday’s. I have been focused on getting recipes together for the holidays, finishing up some craft projects, holiday crafts and a few other things. While I have been trying out new baking recipes when it comes to cooking I have been taking the easy route and making stuff that I am familiar with, can make quickly and require minimal ingredients. Today’s recipe is actually a two-parter. While you can use the chicken for this recipe to make some delicious tacos or burritos, I used it to make a Skillet Tamale Pie. That recipe will come later in the week.

To begin I placed 4 boneless chicken thighs in the insert of my slow cooker. I sprinkled about half of a 1 oz. package on taco seasoning over the chicken and then tossed the two together to coat the chicken. I then poured a 24 oz. jar of salsa over the chicken and gave everything a good stir. I covered the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 4.5 hours.

After 4.5 hours I removed the chicken from the slow cooker and shredded it using two forks. I placed the cover back on my slow cooker so the sauce in there could remain warm. Without the cover on, slow cookers begin to lose their heat quickly.

Once shredded, I returned the chicken to the slow cooker and added in the remaining taco seasoning. I gave everything a good stir and then covered it and let it continue to cook on the low setting for an additional 30 minutes.

Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Chicken

Servings: 6
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Ingredients:

28 oz. boneless skinless chicken thighs (4 pieces)

1 package taco seasoning mix*

24 oz. mild salsa*

*I used Trader Joe’s Taco Seasoning Mix

** I used Chi-Chi’s Mild Thick & Chunky Salsa

Directions:

Add the chicken to a 4 to 5 qt. slow cooker and toss with half of the taco seasoning mix.

Pour the salsa over the chicken and stir to combine. Cover, and cook on low setting for 4 to 4.5 hours, or until chicken is very tender.

Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and transfer to a cutting board to shred. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker along with the remaining taco seasoning mix and stir to combine. Cover and continue to cook on the low setting for an additional 30 minutes.

Recipe from Pillsbury