Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl for a Flavorful Dinner

The street corn chicken rice bowl is your go-to solution for a fast, flavorful, and filling dinner that feels like a street food fiesta in every bite. Loaded with juicy spiced chicken, creamy roasted corn, and fluffy rice, this bowl hits every note of comfort and bold taste. Whether you’re craving something cozy after a long day or looking for an easy weeknight dinner idea, this recipe will quickly become a favorite.

What makes this street corn chicken rice bowl recipe stand out is its perfect balance of textures and flavors — smoky, creamy, tangy, and a touch of heat. Inspired by Mexican street corn (elote), the corn mixture features chili-lime zest and creamy mayo, which blends beautifully with tender chicken and rice. It’s ideal for meal prepping or serving to friends and family at casual dinners.

Even better? It comes together with pantry staples and fresh ingredients — no special cooking equipment needed. If you love easy meals that don’t sacrifice flavor, the Mexican street corn chicken rice bowl is exactly what your dinner lineup has been missing.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick & Easy Prep: Most ingredients are cooked in one pan or roasted in the oven, saving you time and cleanup.
• Bold, Irresistible Flavors: Think smoky grilled chicken, zesty lime, sweet corn, and creamy cotija-style topping.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: Make a big batch and store in meal containers for grab-and-go lunches or dinners.
• Customizable: Use brown rice, add avocado, or swap chicken for grilled shrimp — the base is versatile and forgiving.

Ingredients List

Here’s what you need to make this flavorful street corn chicken and rice bowl at home:

For the Chicken:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Juice of 1 lime
• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Street Corn:

• 2 cups corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned and drained)
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 cup crumbled cotija or feta cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• Pinch of smoked paprika (optional for garnish)

For the Rice Base:

• 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
• Salt to taste

Optional Toppings:

• Sliced avocado
• Extra cilantro
• Hot sauce or jalapeño slices
• Diced red onion
• Lime wedges for serving

How to Make a Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl

This street corn chicken rice bowl recipe is easy to follow and perfect for both weeknight dinners and weekend meal prep. Let’s break it down step-by-step so you can build this flavorful bowl at home with confidence.

Step 1: Marinate and Cook the Chicken

1. In a bowl, combine olive oil, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
2. Add the chicken and coat it evenly. Let it marinate for at least 15–20 minutes (or up to 2 hours in the fridge).
3. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil and cook the chicken for 5–7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
4. Remove from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes, then slice or dice into bite-sized pieces.

The seasoned chicken adds smoky heat to the Mexican street corn chicken rice bowl, creating the perfect protein base.

Step 2: Prepare the Street Corn Mixture

1. In a dry skillet or on a baking sheet under the broiler, roast the corn kernels until lightly charred, about 5–7 minutes.
2. Transfer the roasted corn to a bowl and mix in mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, cotija cheese, and chopped cilantro.
3. Stir until everything is evenly coated and creamy.

This roasted corn topping is what gives the street corn chicken and rice bowl its signature elote-style flavor — creamy, tangy, and just the right amount of spice.

Step 3: Make the Cilantro Lime Rice

1. While the chicken cooks, prepare the rice if it’s not already cooked.
2. Fluff the rice with a fork and stir in lime juice, chopped cilantro, and a pinch of salt.
3. Keep warm until ready to assemble the bowls.

Flavored rice balances the spice in the bowl and is a core layer in this satisfying street corn chicken rice bowl.

Step 4: Assemble the Bowls

1. In each bowl, layer cilantro lime rice as the base.
2. Top with a generous portion of sliced chicken.
3. Spoon the creamy street corn mixture on top.
4. Add desired toppings like avocado, extra cilantro, or jalapeños.
5. Serve with a lime wedge and a dash of hot sauce, if you like extra heat.

Expert Tips for the Perfect Bowl

3 Pro Cooking Tips:

• Use fresh corn when in season for the best roasted flavor and texture.
• Marinate the chicken in advance to deepen the flavor and save time on busy nights.
• Char the corn in a cast-iron pan if you want an extra smoky flavor boost.

3 Mistakes to Avoid:

• Skipping the rest time for chicken — it helps keep the meat juicy.
• Using too much mayo — the corn should be creamy, not soggy.
• Overcooking the rice — mushy rice will throw off the texture of the entire bowl.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

The great thing about this street corn chicken rice bowl is how well it keeps — perfect for next-day lunches or easy dinner preps.

• Storage: Store components separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: Microwave chicken and rice in 30-second bursts until heated through. Add a splash of water to rice if needed to keep it soft.
• Corn topping: Best served fresh, but can be stored for 2–3 days in the fridge. Stir before using.

Tip: Keep the toppings like avocado and cilantro separate until ready to serve to keep them fresh.

Nutritional Info per Serving

Each serving of this street corn chicken rice bowl provides a balanced combination of macronutrients and flavor. Here’s an approximate breakdown based on one bowl (serving size may vary depending on rice and topping amounts):

• Calories: 520 kcal
• Protein: 38g
• Fat: 20g
• Carbohydrates: 47g
• Sugar: 5g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sodium: 580mg

This nutritional profile makes the Mexican street corn chicken rice bowl both satisfying and energizing — ideal for an active day or post-workout meal.

Serving Suggestions & Variations

There are so many fun and flavorful ways to enjoy your street corn chicken and rice bowl. Try any of these creative serving ideas to mix things up:

• Serve as a burrito filling: Wrap the rice, chicken, and corn mixture in a warm tortilla.
• Make it low-carb: Swap rice for cauliflower rice or shredded lettuce.
• Add extra veggies: Roasted peppers, cherry tomatoes, or grilled zucchini make great additions.
• Turn it into a salad: Use all the toppings over a bed of chopped romaine for a lighter, crunchier version.

No matter how you serve it, the bold flavors of the street corn chicken rice bowl shine through every time.

If you’re craving more chicken and rice combinations, you’ll love this tropical-inspired Coconut Chicken Rice Bowl Recipe with creamy coconut flavors and vibrant vegetables.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a flavorful, satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare and perfect for any night of the week, the street corn chicken rice bowl checks all the boxes. From its juicy seasoned chicken to the creamy, zesty street corn topping, every element is packed with taste and texture. It’s ideal for both beginners and seasoned home cooks who want a fun, customizable dinner that everyone will love.

Try it out this week, and don’t forget to leave a comment below or tag us on social media with your creation. We’d love to see your version of this street corn chicken rice bowl recipe!

FAQs

Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl

Sofia

This Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl is a vibrant, flavor-packed dish combining smoky grilled chicken, zesty Mexican-style street corn, and cilantro lime rice. Perfect for quick dinners or meal prep, this street corn chicken rice bowl recipe brings together comforting ingredients and bold flavors in one hearty bowl.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course dinner

Cuisine American, Mexicain

Servings 4

Calories 520 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Chicken:

• – 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
• – 2 tbsp olive oil
• – 1 tsp chili powder
• – 1 tsp smoked paprika
• – ½ tsp cumin
• – ½ tsp garlic powder
• – ½ tsp salt
• – ¼ tsp black pepper
• – Juice of 1 lime

For the Street Corn:

• – 2 cups corn kernels fresh, frozen, or canned
• – ¼ cup mayonnaise
• – ¼ cup cotija cheese or feta
• – 1 tbsp lime juice
• – ½ tsp chili powder
• – 2 tbsp chopped cilantro

For the Cilantro Lime Rice:

• – 2 cups cooked white rice
• – Juice of 1 lime
• – 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
• – Salt to taste

Optional Toppings:

• – Avocado slices
• – Jalapeños
• – Extra lime wedges
• – Hot sauce

Instructions

 

• **Marinate the Chicken:** In a bowl, mix olive oil, chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Coat chicken and marinate for at least 15–20 minutes.
• **Cook the Chicken:** Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 5–7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
• **Prepare Street Corn:** Roast corn in a dry skillet or under a broiler until lightly charred (5–7 minutes). Mix with mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, cheese, and cilantro.
• **Make Cilantro Lime Rice:** Mix cooked rice with lime juice, cilantro, and a pinch of salt. Keep warm.
• **Assemble Bowls:** Layer rice in bowls, add sliced chicken, spoon on street corn, and finish with toppings like avocado and jalapeños.

Notes

Recipe Notes:
– Store leftovers in separate containers for best freshness.
– Mayonnaise can be swapped for Greek yogurt.
– Use cauliflower rice for a low-carb version.

Serving Suggestions & Variations:
– Wrap in a burrito or serve over lettuce for a salad-style bowl.
– Try using grilled shrimp or tofu instead of chicken.
– Add extra veggies like peppers or roasted tomatoes.

Expert Tips:
– Marinate chicken longer (up to 2 hours) for maximum flavor.
– Use a cast-iron pan to get a great sear on the chicken.
– Don’t overmix the corn—keep the texture.
– Rest the chicken before slicing to keep juices inside.
– Use fresh lime juice for brightness in both rice and corn.

Conclusion:
This Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl is a must-try for anyone craving bold, comforting flavors in a simple format. Give it a try and let us know how you liked it—leave a comment or tag your version on social media!

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