Bisquick Easy Impossible Chicken Tamale Pie Recipe

Love tamales? Then you’ll adore this Easy Chicken Tamale Pie! Packed with classic Mexican flavors and topped with a savory corn batter, it bakes into a mouthwatering, cheesy chicken casserole.

This lighter version of the classic Bisquick Impossible Chicken Tamale Pie has all the flavors you love but with a healthier twist. Perfect for a WeightWatchers friendly family dinner, each slice can be customized with fresh toppings like shredded lettuce, light sour cream, chopped cilantro and salsa.

We’ve made a few smart ingredient swaps and portion adjustments to ensure you can enjoy this hearty, savory dish without compromising your wellness goals. Packed with tender chicken, zesty spices, and a delectable cornbread crust, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite while helping you stay on track. Dig into this guilt-free comfort food that’s as easy to make as it is to enjoy!

How Many Calories and WeightWatchers Points in this Bisquick Chicken Tamale Pie?

According to my calculations, each serving has about 330 calories and 4 WW Points.

To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)

Recipe Ingredients

• Cooked lean chicken breast, chopped or shredded – I often use leftover rotisserie chicken breast.
• Canned chopped green chiles – roasted, peeled and chopped, they provide a mellow spick kick to this recipe.
• Taco seasoning – a dry, savory spice blend packed with warming, semi-spicy, and salty flavors. Available in jars or 1 ounce packets.
• Shredded reduced fat Mexican cheese blend – usually some combination of queso quesadilla, asadero, Monterey Jack, and/or cheddar. Cheddar or Monterey Jack would also work.
• Bisquick baking mix – a key ingredient in this pie’s savory topping.
• Cornmeal – a key ingredient in this pie’s savory topping.
• Skim milk or low-fat milk (I used plain unsweetened almond milk)
• Egg – a key ingredient in this pie’s savory topping, helping it to bind everything together.
• Canned whole kernel corn with red and green peppers, drained well – providing healthy color, sweet flavor, and chewy texture.
• Optional garnishes: light sour cream or plain nonfat greek yogurt, shredded lettuce, salsa, chopped green onion, chopped avocado, chopped cilantro, sliced fresh or pickled jalapenos, etc.

How to Make Bisquick Impossible Chicken Tamale Pie, Step-by-Step

Step 1: Gather and prepare all ingredients.

Step 2: Preheat oven to 400F degrees.

Step 3: Add the chicken, chiles and taco seasoning to a 9-inch glass pie plate (affiliate link) and stir until well mixed.

Step 4: Sprinkle the cheese over the chicken mixture.

Step 5: In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the Bisquick baking mix, cornmeal, milk, egg and corn until combined. Pour this cornmeal mixture over cheese in pie dish.

Step 6: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.

Step 7: Remove from oven and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes before serving. Cut into 6 wedges and serve with additional toppings, as desired.

Step 8: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Recipe Notes, Substitutions and Variations

No cooked chicken breast? I love to use leftover rotisserie chicken breast to make this easy cheesy casserole. Cooked ground turkey is another tasty alternative.

No Bisquick? Substitute 1/2 cup flour and 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Spicier? For a little heat, add 1 canned chipotle chile, seeded and finely chopped, to the chicken mixture.

What to Serve with Easy Chicken Tamale Pie?

Salad: Pair with a simple green salad, like this cheap and easy tossed green salad with a light vinaigrette.

Black Beans: Serve with a side of black beans seasoned with cumin and lime or fat free re-fried beans.

Grilled Vegetables: A medley of grilled vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, and onions adds a healthy and colorful side.

Quinoa Salad: A light and nutritious quinoa salad with black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, and a cilantro-lime dressing provides a protein-rich side.

Spicy Cabbage Slaw: A refreshing slaw made with shredded cabbage, carrots, green onions, and cilantro in a spicy vinaigrette.

Fruit Salsa: A sweet and spicy fruit salsa made with fresh fruit, onion, sweet bell pepper, and cilantro can be a refreshing counterpoint to the savory tamale pie.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Roasted sweet potato wedges seasoned with cumin and paprika add a sweet and smoky flavor to your meal as would this light & zesty southwestern sweet potato salad.

Tortilla Chips and Guacamole: A classic and simple side, tortilla chips with homemade guacamole is always a crowd-pleaser and adds a creamy, crunchy element to the meal.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Chicken Tamale Pie

Storing leftovers of your Bisquick Impossible Chicken Tamale Pie properly ensures they stay fresh and delicious. Here is the best way to do it:

Cool Completely: Allow the tamale pie to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the crust soggy.

Portion: Cut the pie into individual servings. This makes it easier to reheat only what you need and ensures even cooling and storage.

Airtight Containers: Place the portions in airtight containers. This helps keep the leftovers fresh and prevents them from absorbing any odors from the fridge.

Refrigerate: Store the containers in the refrigerator if you plan to eat the leftovers within 3-4 days.

Freeze for Longer Storage: If you want to keep the tamale pie for longer, wrap the individual portions tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. This way, they can last for up to 2-3 months.

Label and Date: Don’t forget to label your containers with the date you stored them. This helps you keep track of how long they have been in the fridge or freezer.

Reheating Instructions:

Microwave (affiliate link): For a quick reheat, cook the refrigerated portions on medium power until heated through, about 2-3 minutes, depending on your microwave (affiliate link). (If frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.)
Oven: For a crispier crust, reheat in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), place the portion on a baking sheet (affiliate link), and cover it with foil. Heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through.
Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place refrigerated portions in the air fryer basket in a single layer. (Thaw frozen portions in the fridge overnight first.) Heat for 5-8 minutes, checking for doneness after 5 minutes. Continue heating in 1-2 minute increments if needed. Let cool for a minute before serving.

More Impossible Pies Made Lighter for WeightWatchers: Bisquick Impossibly Easy Chicken Pot Pie Made Lighter, Impossibly Easy Turkey Taco Pie, Impossibly Easy Sausage Pie, Impossibly Easy Zucchini Pie, Deluxe Turkey Cheeseburger Pie for Two, Impossibly Easy Ham and Swiss Pie, Bisquick Impossible Chicken Broccoli Pie, Low Fat Crustless Impossible Pumpkin Pie and Banana Bread Impossible Pie Made Lighter

If you’ve made this Easy Impossible Chicken Tamale Pie, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

Recipe source: Betty Crocker Ultimate Bisquick Cookbook

If you like this Deconstructed Chicken Tamale Pie, you might also like

• Crock Pot Tamale Pie
• Easy Chicken Enchiladas Verde
• Salsa Chicken White Bean Soup
• 2-Ingredient Crock Pot Salsa Chicken