Zesty Street Corn Chicken Chili Recipe: Bowl of Smoky Goodness!

Summer barbecues meet comfort food in this delectable street corn chicken chili that blends smoky, creamy flavors with a zesty kick.

Charred corn kernels and tender chicken create a mouthwatering base for this hearty dish.

Each spoonful delivers a perfect balance of Mexican-inspired spices and rich, warming ingredients.

The recipe captures the essence of street food with its bold, vibrant profile.

Sweet corn and savory chicken mingle with robust seasonings that dance across your palate.

Jalapeños and cilantro add a fresh, bright note to this crowd-pleasing meal.

How To Cook Street Corn Chicken Chili

• Flavor Foundations

Grab a large pot and warm some olive oil. Dance some diced onions and jalapeños around until they soften and become fragrant. Sprinkle in garlic, cumin, and chili powder to create a vibrant base.

• Chicken Magic

Drop whole chicken breasts into the simmering broth. Let them cook gently until perfectly tender. Pull them out, shred them into delicate pieces, and return them to the pot.

• Corn and Bean Symphony

Toss in corn kernels, green chiles, and white beans. Let everything bubble together, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.

• Creamy Finale

Swirl in Greek yogurt for a silky touch. Scatter fresh cilantro and squeeze lime juice to brighten the entire dish. Season with salt and pepper until the flavors sing.

• Street Corn Crown

In a separate pan, char corn kernels until they develop golden edges. Mix with jalapeños, red onion, cilantro, cotija cheese, lime, and a sprinkle of chili powder.

• Serving Celebration

Ladle chili into bowls and crown each with the vibrant street corn mixture. Optional: Garnish with extra cilantro and lime wedges for a final flourish.

Tips To Perfect Street Corn Chicken Chili

• Corn Comfort Secrets: Chili Cooking Magic
• Protein Power Switch: Swap chicken breasts with ground turkey or shredded rotisserie chicken for quick alternative protein options that maintain the dish's hearty texture and flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Hero Hack: Replace white beans with cauliflower florets to reduce carbohydrate content while keeping the chili's robust southwestern spirit intact for keto diet followers.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust jalapeno quantities carefully – remove seeds for milder heat or include more for extra zesty kick. Always taste and adjust seasonings gradually to prevent overwhelming spiciness.
• Meal Prep Champion: This chili freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers, leaving space for expansion. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat gently, stirring occasionally to maintain consistency and prevent separation of ingredients.

Serving Up Street Corn Chicken Chili Warm

• Fiesta Bowl Flourish: Serve this chili in colorful ceramic bowls to create a vibrant, festive presentation that makes every bite feel like a celebration.
• Taco Night Twist: Transform the chili into a build-your-own taco bar by offering warm tortillas, additional toppings like sliced avocado, and extra cotija cheese for a fun, interactive meal.
• Cornbread Companion: Pair the chili with a warm slice of jalapeño cornbread or crispy corn tortilla chips to add extra texture and complement the street corn flavors perfectly.
• Cooling Contrast: Add a dollop of cool sour cream or extra Greek yogurt on top to balance the chili's warmth and provide a creamy, refreshing element to each spoonful.

Best Way To Store Street Corn Chicken Chili

• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Prepare a double batch of this chili and freeze individual portions in airtight containers for quick weeknight meals. Each serving stays delicious for up to 3 months when properly sealed.
• Refrigerator Refresh: Store leftover chili in sealed containers for 4-5 days. The flavors actually improve overnight, making next-day lunches incredibly tasty and more complex.
• Smart Separation Strategy: Keep the street corn topping separate from the main chili when storing. This prevents soggy corn kernels and maintains the perfect texture when reheating.
• Reheating Magic: Warm chili slowly on the stovetop with a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture. Microwave works in a pinch, but stir frequently to distribute heat evenly and prevent potential texture changes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 5

All Ingredients For Street Corn Chicken Chili

• Olive Oil: Provides a smooth, rich foundation for sautéing and enhancing overall taste.
• Onion: Builds deep, aromatic base with sweet undertones.
• Jalapeno: Adds vibrant heat and zesty pepper complexity.
• Garlic: Delivers intense, pungent depth to the dish.

• Chicken Breasts: Delivers lean, tender protein that absorbs surrounding flavors.
• White Beans: Introduces creamy texture and additional protein boost.
• Greek Yogurt: Creates silky, tangy finish with subtle creaminess.

• Chicken Broth: Generates savory liquid base with rich, hearty essence.
• Frozen Corn: Brings sweet, juicy kernels with subtle summer freshness.
• Green Chiles: Contributes mild, earthy pepper notes.
• Lime Juice: Provides zesty, bright acidic balance.
• Cilantro: Offers refreshing, herbaceous punch.
• Red Onion: Introduces sharp, crisp raw flavor.
• Cotija Cheese: Adds salty, crumbly Mexican cheese character.

• Ground Cumin: Delivers warm, earthy southwestern undertones.
• Chili Powder: Generates robust, smoky pepper depth.
• Salt and Pepper: Enhances and balances overall flavor profile.

Cooking Tools For Street Corn Chicken Chili

• Large Pot: Essential for cooking the chili base and simmering all ingredients together.
• Skillet: Perfect for charring corn kernels and creating the street corn topping.
• Two Forks: Ideal for shredding the cooked chicken breasts easily.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions, jalapenos, cilantro, and other ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise ingredient preparation.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately add spices like cumin and chili powder.
• Ladle: Great for serving the chili into individual bowls.
• Mixing Bowl: Useful for combining street corn topping ingredients.

Hearty Street Corn Chicken Chili Recipe

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4.7 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Mexican street corn chicken chili blends smoky, spicy flavors with creamy corn goodness. Hearty comfort meets zesty cuisine, promising a delicious meal that satisfies with bold, authentic southwestern charm.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 4 cups (946 ml) frozen corn kernels
• 2 cups (473 ml) corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
• 4 cups (946 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 large white onion, diced
• ¼ cup (59 ml) diced red onion
• 2 jalapenos, minced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (4 oz/113 g) can diced green chiles
• 1 (15 oz/425 g) can white beans, drained and rinsed
• 3 tbsps olive oil
• ½ cup (118 ml) plain Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup (59 ml) chopped fresh cilantro
• ¼ cup (59 ml) crumbled cotija cheese
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 ¼ tsp chili powder

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Instructions

1. Sauté Base: Caramelize onions and jalapenos in olive oil over medium heat until translucent and fragrant, releasing their aromatic essence.
2. Spice Infusion: Add garlic, cumin, and chili powder, toasting briefly to amplify their complex flavors and create a rich foundation.
3. Chicken Poaching: Submerge whole chicken breasts in chicken broth, bringing to a boil then reducing to a gentle simmer until chicken is perfectly cooked and tender.
4. Protein Preparation: Remove chicken, shred meticulously using two forks, then return to the simmering liquid.
5. Ingredient Integration: Incorporate frozen corn, green chiles, and white beans, allowing ingredients to harmonize and develop deep, interconnected flavors for 10 minutes.
6. Creamy Transformation: Fold in Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, and lime juice, creating a luxurious and vibrant chili base with bright, tangy undertones.
7. Street Corn Topping: Char corn kernels in a skillet until caramelized, then blend with jalapeno, red onion, cilantro, cotija cheese, lime juice, and chili powder.
8. Final Presentation: Ladle chili into serving bowls, crown with street corn mixture, and garnish with additional cilantro and lime wedges for a fresh, zesty finish.

Notes

• Chicken Cooking Technique: Poach chicken breasts gently in broth to ensure maximum tenderness and prevent overcooking, which can make meat tough and dry.
• Spice Blooming Trick: Toast cumin and chili powder briefly in the pan to release their essential oils, dramatically enhancing the depth and complexity of flavor in the chili.
• Corn Char Mastery: Use a hot, dry skillet when roasting corn kernels to achieve perfect caramelization without burning, creating a smoky street-style flavor profile.
• Dietary Adaptation: Easily transform this recipe into a vegetarian version by substituting chicken with extra firm tofu or adding more beans for protein, maintaining the dish’s rich, complex taste.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg