Finding new chicken recipes can sometimes feel like a chore. We all want something that tastes great but does not take all night to cook in the kitchen.
This Mexican street corn chicken bowl is the perfect solution for your busy schedule. It is one of those Good Easy Dinner Ideas that the whole family will love.
Whether you are looking for Easy Girl Dinners or a solid meal for the kids, this dish delivers. It combines juicy chicken with creamy corn and fluffy rice.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
You will love this dish because it is incredibly fast to put together. In the world of Easy Meals To Make With Chicken, this one stands out for flavor.
The combination of lime and chili creates a bright and smoky taste. It feels like a treat but stays within the category of Healthy Good Dinners for any night.
It is also a great choice for Family Weeknight Dinner Ideas because it is customizable. You can adjust the spice level to make sure the little ones enjoy it too.
Honestly, the texture is what makes it so special. You get the crunch of the red onion and the creaminess of the sour cream in every single bite you take.
If you are searching for Dinner Lunch Ideas, this recipe works for both. You can make a big batch at night and take the leftovers to work the next day.
It is also a fantastic option for Chicken Meal Prep Ideas High Protein. The chicken thighs provide plenty of energy to keep you full and focused throughout your busy afternoon.
Another reason to love it is how budget friendly the ingredients are. You likely already have many of these spices sitting in your pantry right now waiting to be used.
Let me explain why the corn topping is a game changer. It mimics the flavors of traditional elote which is a popular Mexican street food known for being delicious.
By bringing those flavors into a bowl format, you get a well balanced meal. It is filling without being too heavy or making you feel sluggish after you eat.
You know what? This might just become your new favorite among all the chicken recipes you have tried recently. It is simple, fast, and packed with a lot of zest.
Ingredients
For The Chicken
- 4 chicken thighs boneless and skinless
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder or 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
For The Street Corn Topping
- 1 cup sweet corn kernels grilled or sauteed frozen
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 cup sour cream save half to drizzle on top
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup cotija cheese crumbled plus extra for garnish
- 1 tsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lime cut into wedges
For The Base And Garnish
- 3 cups cooked rice
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Season And Marinate The Chicken
Start by grabbing a bowl or a zip top bag. Combine the lime juice, avocado oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to create a quick marinade.
Add your 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs to the mixture. Make sure every piece is fully coated in the spices so the flavor is even throughout the entire dish.
Let the chicken sit in the fridge for about 15 to 30 minutes. This short rest allows the lime juice to tenderize the meat and the spices to soak in.
Step 2: Cook The Chicken
Heat a large skillet over medium high heat on your stove. Once the pan is hot, add the chicken thighs and let them sear without moving them for a few minutes.
Cook the chicken for about 8 to 10 minutes per side. You want a nice golden brown crust on the outside while ensuring the inside is fully cooked through.
Once the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees, remove it from the pan. Let it rest for a few minutes before you slice it into thin strips.
Step 3: Prepare The Street Corn Topping
While the chicken is cooking, you can whip up the corn mixture. In a medium bowl, mix your corn kernels with the red onion, sour cream, and mayonnaise.
Stir in the crumbled cotija cheese and the chili powder. Add a squeeze of lime juice along with salt and pepper to match your personal taste preferences.
If you used frozen corn, make sure it is fully thawed or quickly sauteed in a pan first. Grilled corn adds a lovely smoky flavor if you have it.
Step 4: Prepare The Rice
Take your 3 cups of cooked rice and reheat them if they are cold. Adding a tiny splash of water before microwaving helps keep the rice moist and fluffy.
You can use white rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice if you want a lighter option. Just make sure it is fully warm and ready for the bowl assembly.
Step 5: Assemble The Bowls
Now comes the fun part where everything comes together. Scoop a generous portion of rice into each bowl as the base for your delicious meal.
Layer the sliced chicken on top of the rice. Follow this with a big spoonful of the creamy street corn topping you just prepared in the previous step.
Garnish the bowls with extra cotija cheese and fresh cilantro. Add a lime wedge on the side for an extra burst of citrus when you are ready to eat.
For a final touch, you can drizzle the remaining sour cream over the top. A sprinkle of Tajin seasoning can also add a nice kick of flavor.
How To Store Leftovers
If you have extra food, do not worry at all. These bowls are great for Chicken Meal Prep Ideas High Protein because they stay fresh for several days.
Store the chicken and rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I recommend keeping the corn topping in a separate container if you can.
Keeping the corn separate allows you to reheat the chicken and rice without warming up the creamy sauce. Cold corn topping tastes much better on hot chicken.
The leftovers will stay good for about 3 to 4 days. This makes it a perfect candidate for your weekly Dinner Lunch Ideas during a busy work week.
When you are ready to eat, simply heat the rice and chicken in the microwave for a minute or two. Then add your cold corn topping and enjoy.
Tips
Here is a little secret for more flavor. If you do not have a grill, you can char your corn in a dry cast iron skillet for a few minutes.
This creates those dark spots that look like they came off a real grill. It adds a deep smokiness that pairs perfectly with the spicy marinated chicken thighs.
If you are looking for Healthy Dinner Recipes For Two Low Carb, you can swap the rice for a bed of fresh greens or some roasted cauliflower florets.
You can also use chicken breast if you prefer leaner meat. Just be careful not to overcook it since breast meat can dry out faster than chicken thighs do.
If you cannot find cotija cheese at your local store, feta cheese is a great substitute. It has a similar salty and crumbly texture that works very well.
For those who like a lot of heat, add a diced jalapeno to the corn mixture. It adds a nice crunch and a spicy bite that balances the creaminess.
This is one of those Dinner Recupes that is meant to be flexible. Feel free to add black beans or avocado slices to make the bowl even more filling.
Make sure you do not skip the lime juice in the marinade. The acid is essential for breaking down the proteins and making the chicken very tender and juicy.
If you are in a rush, you can use a rotisserie chicken from the store. Just shred it and toss it with the spices and lime juice in a pan.
Using a rotisserie chicken makes this one of the fastest Easy Meals To Make With Chicken when you only have ten minutes to get dinner ready.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these street corn chicken bowls are a fantastic addition to your collection of chicken recipes. They are simple, fast, and full of bright flavors.
Whether you need Family Weeknight Dinner Ideas or just a quick meal for yourself, this recipe hits the spot. It is satisfying and easy to customize.
I hope this becomes one of your favorite Good Easy Dinner Ideas to cook at home. It really proves that you do not need much time to eat well.
Give it a try this week and see how much your family enjoys the creamy corn and zesty chicken. It is a meal that feels special every time.
FAQ
Can I Use Frozen Corn For This Recipe?
Yes you can definitely use frozen corn. Just make sure to thaw it or saute it in a pan with a little oil until it gets some color.
Is This Recipe Good For Meal Prep?
It is excellent for meal prep. Just keep the corn topping separate from the rice and chicken so you can reheat the base without warming the sauce.
What Can I Use Instead Of Cotija Cheese?
If you cannot find cotija cheese, feta cheese is the best substitute. It has a similar salty flavor and crumbly texture that fits the dish perfectly.
How Do I Make This Low Carb?
To make this a low carb meal, simply replace the rice with cauliflower rice or serve the chicken and corn over a large bed of lettuce.
Mexican Street Corn Chicken Bowl
This Mexican street corn chicken bowl is the perfect solution for your busy schedule. It combines juicy chicken with creamy corn and fluffy rice for a fast, flavorful, and family-friendly weeknight meal. Easy to customize and great for meal prep!
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- **Season And Marinate The Chicken:** Combine the lime juice, avocado oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl or zip-top bag. Add the 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs, ensuring they are fully coated. Marinate in the fridge for 15 to 30 minutes to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- **Cook The Chicken:** Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs and sear for 8 to 10 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Remove from pan, let rest a few minutes, then slice into thin strips.
- **Prepare The Street Corn Topping:** While the chicken cooks, mix the corn kernels (thawed or sauteed if frozen) with red onion, sour cream, and mayonnaise in a medium bowl. Stir in the crumbled cotija cheese, chili powder, a squeeze of lime juice, and salt and pepper to taste.
- **Prepare The Rice:** Reheat 3 cups of cooked rice until warm and fluffy. A splash of water before microwaving helps keep it moist. Use white, brown, or cauliflower rice as preferred.
- **Assemble The Bowls:** Scoop cooked rice into each bowl. Layer with sliced chicken and a generous spoonful of the street corn topping. Garnish with extra cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, and a lime wedge. Drizzle with remaining sour cream and a sprinkle of Tajin seasoning for extra flavor.
Notes
For more flavor, char your corn in a dry cast iron skillet if you don’t have a grill. This adds a deep smokiness.
To make this a low carb meal, simply replace the rice with cauliflower rice or serve the chicken and corn over a large bed of lettuce.
Chicken breast can be used instead of thighs, but be careful not to overcook it as it can dry out faster.
If you can’t find cotija cheese, feta cheese is a great substitute with a similar salty and crumbly texture.
For extra heat, add a diced jalapeno to the corn mixture for a nice crunch and spicy bite.
Don’t skip the lime juice in the marinade; the acid is essential for tenderizing the chicken and infusing flavor.
In a rush? Use a rotisserie chicken! Just shred it and toss it with the spices and lime juice in a pan for a super-fast meal.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
