I first made this Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl on a sleepy Sunday when I had leftover corn, a lonely lime, and zero motivation to meal prep. But somewhere between charring that corn and drizzling the creamy lime sauce, something magical happened—it became my go-to comfort bowl. It’s bold, messy, tangy, and somehow still balanced. Basically, everything I want in a weeknight dinner.
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Why You’ll Love This Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl
If you’re craving something fast, filling, and unapologetically flavorful, this Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl delivers. Juicy spiced chicken meets creamy, lime-kissed street corn over fluffy rice—it’s like elote and your favorite burrito bowl had a delicious little baby. Bonus: it’s meal-prep gold. You can make all the components ahead of time and assemble when hunger hits. Family-friendly? Absolutely. Cleanup? Barely a pan or two. Big flavor, small effort.
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1 Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl (Insanely Flavor-Packed and Easy!)
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Mexican
Description
A bold, creamy, tangy Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl inspired by Mexican elote—featuring spiced chicken, grilled corn, Cotija cheese, and a zesty lime crema over warm jasmine rice.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 tbsp lime juice (or lemon juice)
1 tbsp avocado oil (or olive/vegetable oil)
1 tsp chili powder (or paprika)
1 tsp cumin powder
½ tsp garlic powder (or 2 minced garlic cloves)
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
For the Street Corn Topping:
1 cup sweet corn kernels (grilled or sautéed frozen)
¼ cup thinly sliced red onion (optional)
1 cup sour cream (reserve half for drizzling)
2 tbsp mayonnaise (optional or replace with more sour cream)
½ cup crumbled Cotija cheese (or feta/queso fresco)
1 tsp chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1 lime, cut into wedges
For the Rice & Assembly:
3 cups cooked jasmine rice (or white, brown, or cauliflower rice)
Fresh cilantro for garnish (or parsley/green onions)
Instructions
1. Mix lime juice, oil, chili, cumin, garlic, salt, and pepper. Coat chicken and marinate 15–30 minutes in the fridge.
2. Sear chicken in a skillet over medium-high heat for 8–10 minutes per side. Rest, then slice.
3. Mix corn, onion, sour cream, mayo, Cotija, chili powder, salt, pepper, and lime juice.
4. Warm rice with a splash of water until fluffy.
5. Assemble: add rice, chicken, corn mix, extra Cotija, cilantro, and lime wedges. Optional: drizzle extra sour cream, sprinkle Tajín.
6. Serve warm with lime juice to taste.
Notes
• Char the corn for a smoky depth.
• Use fresh lime juice for brightness.
• Reheat rice with water to avoid drying out.
• Add jalapeños or cayenne for a spicier version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 512
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Fat: 28.2g
- Saturated Fat: 9.4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43.5g
- Fiber: 2.5g
- Protein: 22.6g
- Cholesterol: 109mg
Ingredients You’ll Need (and Easy Swaps)
You don’t need fancy stuff—just cozy pantry staples and a few fridge MVPs to make a killer Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl:
- Chicken Thighs – They stay juicy and flavorful, especially after a quick marinade with lime juice, avocado oil, chili, cumin, and garlic. Swap in chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken for shortcuts.
- Street Corn Topping – Grilled corn (fresh or frozen), sour cream, Cotija, chili powder, and lime. Dairy-free? Use coconut yogurt and skip the cheese—or use vegan feta.
- Rice – Jasmine rice is dreamy here, but brown rice, white rice, or even cauliflower rice work. Gluten-free? You’re already good.
How to Make It (Step-by-Step Guide)
Step 1 – Marinate the Chicken
In a bowl, whisk lime juice, oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss in the chicken thighs until coated. Let them chill for 15–30 minutes in the fridge—just enough time to prep everything else for your Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl.
Step 2 – Cook the Chicken
Sear those thighs in a hot skillet over medium-high heat for 8–10 minutes per side until deeply golden and cooked through. Let them rest before slicing.
Step 3 – Prep the Street Corn Topping
Grill or sauté the corn (if using frozen), then toss it with red onion, sour cream, mayo, Cotija, chili powder, salt, pepper, and lime. It’s creamy, smoky, and tangy—essential for the perfect Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl.
Step 4 – Warm the Rice and Assemble the Bowl
Fluff up the rice with a splash of water and warm it. Then layer it up: rice, sliced chicken, corn topping, extra Cotija, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges. Optional but highly recommended: drizzle extra sour cream and a sprinkle of Tajín. That’s how you build the dream Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl.
Top Tips for Extra Flavor
- Char Your Corn – Adds irresistible smokiness.
- Season the Rice – A pinch of salt or lime juice goes a long way.
- Add Heat or Cream – Customize your Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl with jalapeños or guac.
Topping Ideas to Customize Your Bowl
Turn your Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl into a DIY flavor bomb. Add diced avocado or guacamole for creaminess. Thin-sliced radishes for crunch. Sliced jalapeños or hot sauce if you love heat. Sprinkle green onions or pickled onions for a zingy finish.
What to Serve With It
Keep it casual with tortilla chips and salsa. Add black beans for protein or a fresh lime-dressed salad. For drinks, citrusy sparkling water, a crisp beer, or a keto margarita all go perfectly with this Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl.
More Recipes You’ll Love
Love this Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl? You’ll also want to try our flavor-packed bang bang chicken bowl and chicken taco casserole for easy weeknight meals. And don’t miss our crispy chicken bacon ranch wrap for lunch for another meal-prep win.
FAQ About Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl
What is a Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl?
It’s a loaded rice bowl inspired by Mexican elote, featuring grilled corn, seasoned chicken, creamy dressing, and fresh toppings.
How do you make a Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl?
Marinate and cook chicken, mix the street corn topping, warm rice, and assemble everything in a bowl with your favorite toppings.
What ingredients are in a Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl?
Chicken thighs, grilled corn, Cotija cheese, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, and rice—plus any extras you love.
Is the Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl healthy?
Yes! It’s balanced with protein, good fats, and can be made lower-carb using cauliflower rice. Around 512 calories per serving.