Instant Pot Salsa Verde Chicken Tamales

5 from 1 vote

Instant Pot Salsa Verde Chicken Tamales

These Authentic Mexican Salsa Verde Chicken Tamales are steamed to perfection in half the time with an Instant Pot! Your family will love them!!

Prep Time1 30

Cook Time20

Pressure Release10

Total Time2

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: recipe, corn, masa, chicken. dalsa, verde, instant, pot, pressure, cooker

Servings: Tamales

Calories: 119kcal

Author: Lisa Johnson

Equipment

Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

Salsa Verde Chicken

2 pounds chicken breasts skinless, boneless
19 ounces salsa verde divided - I used Herdez
1 teaspoon cumin
½ cup chopped cilantro

Instant Pot Tamales

8 ounce package corn husks at least 25 husks
3 ½ cups masa harina I used the fine version
2 ¼ cups warm water
10 ounces lard substitute vegetable shortening if you must
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons sea salt
1 ½ cups chicken stock

Instructions

Salsa Verde Chicken

Place chicken breasts inside Instant Pot liner. Pour the salsa verde over the chicken.
Secure lid, select “Manual” and set timer for 25 minutes.
When the Instant Pot beeps, allow the pressure to naturally release for 15 minutes before opening. If the pressure has not dropped completely, turn the pressure release valve to release the remaining steam.
Shred chicken with two forks and place in a mixing bowl. The chicken was falling apart in the pot and didn’t make it to the plate in one piece.
Add the cumin and chopped cilantro, stir to combine. Add 1/2 cup of additional salsa verde to the shredded chicken, stir to thoroughly coat the chicken.
Set aside until ready to use. I make mine the day before and refrigerate until ready to make the tamales.

To make the Tamales

Place husks in a large bowl or pot, cover with hot water and let them soak for until pliable, about 30 minutes.
Stir the masa (corn flour) and warm water together in a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer until thoroughly mixed and it form a ball.
Add the lard, baking powder, salt, and stock. Blend on medium speed for 5 minutes to thoroughly incorporate. The mixture should be the consistency of hummus.
If you do not have enough moisture, your tamales will be dry and crumbly. Place a scoop of masa into a bowl of warm water.
If it floats, you’re good to go. If it sinks, you need to add more liquid. Set your finished dough aside until ready to use.
Remove the corn husks from the water and lightly dry them to remove excess moisture.
Place a 1/4 cup of dough in the center of each corn husk.
Spread the dough out into about a 4-inch square, about a 1/2-inch thick in the center of the husk.
Place 2 Tablespoons of salsa verde chicken in the center of the masa.
Fold the husk over, starting with the side closest to you. Roll into a tight log/tube and fold up the long end towards the center.
Tie a thin strip of husk around the center to secure, if desired. Repeat the process until you have used up all of your husks and masa.
Place 2 cups of water in the bottom of your Instant Pot, then insert a steamer basket. {I used this one – affiliate link}.
***Make sure the tamales are not sticking up too high over the edge of the Instant Pot liner or your pressure cooker will not be able to build pressure, it will keep the lid from sealing properly***
Secure the lid, make sure the pressure knob is in the “Sealing” position, and set press the Manual button, High Pressure and use the = and – buttons to set the timer for 20 minutes.
When the pot beeps, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes then manually release any remaining steam. Very carefully remove the lid at an angle to keep the moisture from dropping down onto the tamales.
Allow your tamales to rest for 20 to 30 minutes to set and begin to firm up. Serve with Mexican crema, sour cream, crumbled Queso Fresco, salsa verde, or sauce of your choice, avocado, tomato slices.

Notes

You want to keep your masa at least 1/2-inch away from the sides to make it easier to roll. I got better at it after a few tried, but didn’t take any new photos.
Yes, this is a time consuming process. If you have little helper to form an assembly line, it will go much faster.
I prepared my Salsa Verde Chicken one day, and prepared the tamales the next.
Rip a few husks into 1/2-inch strips and soak with the full-sized husks to use as your ties.
Corn husks are all different sizes, just adapt your fillings to the smaller husks and you will be fine.
You read correctly, I did say 2 cups of water. I ran out of water during my first batch, so I added more for the second and it didn’t dry up!

Nutrition