Pastel de Milho con Pollo
A savory corn cake, similar to tamales but baked, filled with a seasoned chicken mixture. It's a comforting and popular dish, especially in rural areas.
🧂 Ingredients
- 900 g Corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 240 ml Milk
- 115 g Butter
- 2 tbsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 tsp Baking powder
- 400 g Cooked chicken(shredded)
- 1 medium Onion(finely chopped)
- 0.5 medium Bell pepper(finely chopped)
- 2 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 0.25 cup Cilantro(chopped)
- 120 ml Chicken broth
- 1 tbsp Annatto oil (achiote)(for color and flavor)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
💡 Tip: Ensure the baking dish is well-greased to prevent sticking. - 2
For the filling: In a skillet, heat annatto oil over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic until softened.
- 3
Add the shredded cooked chicken, chopped cilantro, and chicken broth to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
💡 Tip: You can use leftover cooked chicken or poach chicken breasts specifically for this recipe. - 4
For the corn batter: In a blender, combine corn kernels, milk, melted butter, sugar, and salt. Blend until mostly smooth, leaving some texture if desired.
💡 Tip: If using fresh corn, you may need to add a little more milk to achieve a blendable consistency. - 5
Pour the blended corn mixture into a large bowl. Stir in the baking powder.
💡 Tip: Do not overmix after adding baking powder. - 6
Pour half of the corn batter into the prepared baking dish.
💡 Tip: Spread evenly. - 7
Spoon the chicken filling evenly over the corn batter.
💡 Tip: Leave a small border around the edges to prevent the filling from spilling out. - 8
Pour the remaining corn batter over the chicken filling, ensuring it is completely covered.
💡 Tip: Gently spread to cover the filling. - 9
Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
💡 Tip: The center should be firm and set. - 10
Let the pastel de milho cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving. This helps it set properly.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, use a combination of fresh and canned corn.
- ✓Ensure the chicken filling is not too wet, otherwise it can make the pastel soggy.
- ✓This dish is delicious served with a side salad or a dollop of sour cream.
🔄 Variations
- Add a layer of grated cheese (like mozzarella or a mild white cheese) between the batter and filling.
- Incorporate cooked and crumbled chorizo into the chicken filling for extra flavor.
- Use a mix of corn and other vegetables like peas or carrots in the filling.