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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Sauté Base: Caramelize onions and jalapenos in olive oil over medium heat until translucent and fragrant, releasing their aromatic essence.
- Spice Infusion: Add garlic, cumin, and chili powder, toasting briefly to amplify their complex flavors and create a rich foundation.
- 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.
- Protein Preparation: Remove chicken, shred meticulously using two forks, then return to the simmering liquid.
- Ingredient Integration: Incorporate frozen corn, green chiles, and white beans, allowing ingredients to harmonize and develop deep, interconnected flavors for 10 minutes.
- Creamy Transformation: Fold in Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, and lime juice, creating a luxurious and vibrant chili base with bright, tangy undertones.
- 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.
- 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