Quick & Zesty: Mexican Street Corn Chicken Recipe

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary with this mouthwatering mexican street corn chicken that blends zesty flavors and comforting textures.

Street corn’s vibrant essence transforms ordinary chicken into a culinary masterpiece.

Bold spices dance across tender meat, creating a symphony of taste that awakens the senses.

Creamy, charred corn kernels add unexpected richness to each savory bite.

Jalapenos provide a subtle kick that tingles your palate with excitement.

Fresh cilantro and lime brighten the entire dish, making every forkful a celebration of Mexican-inspired cuisine.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 3

What You’ll Need For Mexican Street Corn Chicken

• Chili Powder: Adds smoky warmth and depth to the chicken's flavor profile.
• Cumin: Provides earthy undertones typical in Mexican cuisine.
• Smoked Paprika: Introduces a rich, slightly smoky essence.
• Garlic Powder: Delivers concentrated garlic flavor without moisture.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for enhancing overall seasoning and balancing flavors.

• Chicken Breasts: Choose fresh, evenly sized breasts for consistent cooking.
• Olive Oil: Helps create a golden crust and prevents sticking during searing.

• Mayonnaise: Creates creamy base for authentic Mexican street corn style.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy richness and smooth texture.
• Cotija Cheese: Traditional Mexican cheese with crumbly, salty character.
• Cilantro: Brings fresh, bright herbaceous notes.
• Lime Juice: Provides zesty acidity and balances rich ingredients.
• Corn Kernels: Sweet, charred corn adds smoky-sweet complexity.
• Additional Chili Powder: Reinforces spicy undertones.
• Salt and Pepper: Fine-tune sauce seasoning.

• Extra Cotija Cheese: Additional sprinkle for texture and flavor.
• Fresh Cilantro: Bright, herbal finishing touch.
• Lime Juice: Final burst of citrusy freshness.

Tools To Prepare Mexican Street Corn Chicken

• Large oven-safe skillet: Perfect for searing and baking chicken in one pan.
• Small skillet: Ideal for charring corn kernels.
• Small bowl: Used for mixing spices and creating the corn sauce.
• Mixing bowl: Combines sauce ingredients and blends corn mixture.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure spices and seasonings.
• Cutting board: For preparing ingredients and chopping cilantro.
• Sharp knife: Chops herbs and prepares garnishes.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Stirs and mixes sauce ingredients.

How To Make Mexican Street Corn Chicken

• Mexican Spice Fusion

Blend aromatic spices to create a vibrant coating for succulent chicken breasts. Mix together chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and garlic powder to develop a bold flavor profile.

• Sizzling Chicken Preparation

Heat a skillet and sear chicken breasts until they develop a golden-brown crust. Transfer the skillet to a preheated oven, allowing the meat to cook through and become tender and juicy.

• Corn Melody Sauce

Lightly char corn kernels to unlock a smoky sweetness. Whisk together creamy mayo, tangy sour cream, crumbly cotija cheese, and bright lime juice to create a luscious sauce that celebrates Mexican street food flavors.

• Finishing Touches

Drizzle the corn sauce generously over the perfectly cooked chicken. Sprinkle extra cotija cheese and fresh cilantro on top. Serve with a zesty lime wedge for an extra burst of citrusy brightness.

Smart Tips For Mexican Street Corn Chicken

• Perfect Chicken Texture: Pat chicken breasts dry before seasoning to ensure a crispy, golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture and maximizes flavor intensity.
• Corn Kernel Charring Technique: Use a cast-iron skillet or grill pan for the most authentic charred corn flavor, creating smoky caramelization that elevates the entire dish's taste profile.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the spice rub and corn sauce up to 24 hours in advance, storing separately in airtight containers to save time and intensify flavor development.
• Diet-Friendly Adaptations: Swap chicken for grilled tofu or cauliflower steaks to create a vegetarian version. Replace regular mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-packed alternative that maintains creamy texture.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust chili powder quantity to customize heat intensity. For a milder version, reduce chili powder; for extra kick, add diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce directly into the corn sauce.

How To Serve Mexican Street Corn Chicken

• Fiesta Plate Companions: Pair this zesty chicken with Mexican-style rice for a complete meal burst of flavors.
• Crisp Sidekick Selections: Serve alongside crisp tortilla chips or a light cucumber salad to balance the rich, creamy corn sauce.
• Fresh Flavor Boosters: Sprinkle extra fresh cilantro, squeeze additional lime juice, or add sliced avocado for extra freshness and texture that complements the chicken's spicy profile.
• Cool Comfort Match: Offer a refreshing Mexican street corn salad or a chilled salsa verde to cut through the dish's creamy and spicy elements, creating a perfect flavor harmony.

Best Storage For Mexican Street Corn Chicken

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly to maintain moisture and prevent bacterial growth. Refrigerated chicken stays fresh for 34 days.
• Sauce Separation Tip: Keep corn sauce separately from chicken to prevent sogginess. Store sauce in a sealed glass container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Stir before reheating to restore original consistency.
• Freezing Recommendation: Wrap individual chicken portions in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Best to freeze chicken without corn sauce.
• Reheating Method: Warm chicken in a preheated 350F oven for 1015 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent drying. Add fresh corn sauce after reheating to maintain vibrant flavors and creamy texture. Avoid microwave to keep chicken tender and juicy.

Smoky Mexican Street Corn Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Mexican street corn chicken combines classic elote flavors with tender grilled protein for a memorable meal. Zesty spices, creamy cotija cheese, and smoky chili powder elevate this crowd-pleasing dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
• ½ cup cotija cheese (or feta cheese), crumbled
• ⅓ cup mayonnaise
• ⅓ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
• 2 tbsps fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp cumin
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp additional chili powder
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• Extra cotija cheese (for garnish)
• Lime wedges (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Spice Preparation: Craft a robust spice blend by thoroughly mixing chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper into a harmonious seasoning.
2. Chicken Coating: Massage chicken breasts with olive oil, ensuring comprehensive and uniform coverage with the prepared spice mixture.
3. Searing Process: Activate an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, creating a caramelized golden-brown exterior by searing chicken pieces for 2-3 minutes per side.
4. Oven Roasting: Transition the skillet directly into a preheated 375F (190C) oven, roasting until chicken reaches a precise internal temperature of 165F (74C), approximately 15-20 minutes.
5. Corn Sauce Creation: Simultaneously develop a vibrant topping by charring corn kernels in a separate skillet, intensifying their natural smoky essence while blending mayonnaise, sour cream, cotija cheese, chopped cilantro, and fresh lime juice into a creamy, textured sauce.
6. Final Assembly: Once chicken is perfectly cooked, lavishly drape the corn sauce over each piece, garnishing with additional cotija cheese, scattered fresh cilantro leaves, and a zesty lime juice finale.
7. Serving Suggestion: Present immediately with complementary accompaniments such as fluffy rice, crisp salad, or crunchy tortilla chips to complete the Mexican-inspired culinary experience.

Notes

• Spice Blend Intensity: Adjust chili powder quantity based on personal heat tolerance, ensuring balanced flavor without overwhelming spiciness.
• Chicken Moisture Trick: Pat chicken breasts dry before seasoning to achieve perfect golden-brown sear and prevent steaming instead of browning.
• Cheese Temperature Tip: Allow cotija cheese to reach room temperature for smoother blending and more even distribution in the corn sauce.
• Charring Corn Technique: Use cast-iron skillet or high-heat grill pan for maximum smoky flavor when preparing corn kernels, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg