Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl

Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl is a colorful and tasty mix of Mexican street corn’s rich, smokey flavor with a rice bowl’s healthy, filling quality. A bed of fluffy rice is covered with juicy grilled chicken and a creamy, tangy corn combination full of spices, lime, and cotija cheese. This recipe is the perfect mix of spicy and comforting for lunch, supper, or meal prep.

I’ll always remember the first time I tried this mix. The sweet, burnt taste of the maize and the sour, citrusy taste of the lime took me right to a busy Mexican street market. It seemed like a feast for the senses to make it: the smell of chicken cooking on the barbecue, the bright colors of freshly chopped cilantro and red chile, and the creamy sauce drizzling over the constructed bowl. It was fun to watch the whole dish come together in stages, and the first bite proved that it was something quite exceptional.

The best thing about this Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl is that you can change it up in so many ways. You can add black beans, avocado pieces, or even shrimp or tofu as the protein. This dish will make you want to come back for more, whether you’re looking for bright, summery flavors in the dead of winter or a meal that fills you up.

This recipe is great for weeknights when you don’t have much time, family dinners, or as a fun new dish to add to your menu plan. This is a great alternative for anyone who likes filling, well-balanced meals with a Mexican twist.

The mix of seasoned chicken, street corn, and rice makes every bite taste amazing.
Simple to Make: You can make this recipe fast with only a few basic ingredients.
You can change the heat level or add your favorite toppings to make it your own.
A delightful mix of protein, carbs, and vegetables in one bowl that is good for you.

Recipe Overview

Time to get ready: 15 minutes
Time to cook: 25 minutes
40 minutes in total
Four servings
About 420 calories per serving

Important Nutrients in Each Serving:

32 grams of protein
38 grams of carbohydrates
14g of fat
4g of fiber
25mg of vitamin C

Ingredients

Two big chicken breasts, cut into pieces
1 tsp of chili powder
1 tsp of smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/2 tsp of cumin
1 tbsp of olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup of long-grain rice, cooked according to the package directions
The juice of one lime
2 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro
2 cups of corn kernels, either fresh, frozen, or canned
1/4 cup of mayonnaise
1/4 cup of crumbled cotija cheese
1/2 teaspoon of chili powder
One lime’s worth of juice
Salt to taste
Avocado cut into cubes
Tomatoes that have been cut up
Jalapeños cut into pieces
More cotija cheese

Ingredient Notes:

Cotija Cheese: This cheese is crumbly and acidic, and it makes the street corn taste better.
Lime juice gives the rice and street corn a pleasant kick.
Chili powder adds a smokey, spicy flavor that links everything together.

Instructions

Get the chicken ready: Toss the diced chicken with cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Put olive oil in a skillet and heat it over medium heat. Cook the chicken for about 5 to 7 minutes, or until it is golden and fully done. Put it away.
Make the rice: Follow the package instructions to cook the rice.
After cooking, use a fork to fluff the rice and add lime juice and chopped cilantro.
Prepare the Street Corn: Mix the corn kernels, mayonnaise, cotija cheese, chili powder, lime juice, and a touch of salt in a bowl. Mix until everything is properly mixed.
Put the bowls together: Put the rice in bowls for serving.
Put the cooked chicken and a big dollop of the street corn mixture on top.
For more taste and color, you can add optional toppings like diced avocado or sliced jalapeños.

Serve the Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl warm, with a sprinkling of fresh cilantro on top and a lime wedge to squeeze over it.

Tips and Variations

Grill the corn: Before you mix the corn with the mayonnaise and cotija cheese, grill it to enhance flavor.
Change the proteins: For a different flavor, use shrimp, beef, or tofu instead of chicken.
Meal Prep: You can keep the rice, chicken, and street corn in the fridge for up to three days, and then make fresh bowls when you’re ready to eat.

Spicy Change:

If you want things spicy, add more chili powder, cayenne pepper, or hot paprika to make them even spicier. A little bit of your favorite spicy sauce, such Sriracha or Tabasco, will give the meal both heat and a sour kick. Start with a low degree of heat and add more as needed to get the level you want. This variant works well with strong flavors and can make the dish more colorful and interesting, which is great for people who love spice!

Vegetarian Choice:

If you don’t want to eat meat or just want to eat a lot of vegetables, skip the chicken and either double the number of grilled vegetables (such bell peppers, zucchini, and onions) or add a substantial legume like black beans. The black beans will give you a good protein boost, while the vegetables will offer color, texture, and fresh flavor. You may add more flavor by using a mix of roasted or sautéed vegetables such mushrooms, maize, and sweet potatoes. This makes a filling and pleasant vegetarian supper.

Twist of Cheese:

Add shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese to the heated rice just before serving to make it creamier and richer. The cheese will melt and cover the rice in a silky, gooey layer that goes well with the other ingredients. For an extra cheesy touch, you may simply put more cheese on top after serving. A little bit of Parmesan or pepper jack cheese could also add a lovely tang and some heat, depending on what you like.

Storage and Reheating

Storage:
Store each part of your dinner in its own airtight container in the fridge to keep it fresh and the tastes. This procedure keeps the chicken, rice, and other ingredients from turning mushy or losing their firmness. All of the parts will keep fresh for up to three days. You can get everything ready ahead of time and keep each part individually for extra convenience. This way, when you’re ready to eat, everything will still be fresh and tasty.

Reheating:
When you’re ready to dine, microwave the chicken and rice separately until they are both hot all the way through. This keeps the chicken moist and tender and the rice from being mushy. To make sure the rice heats evenly, stir it every so often. You can also add a little broth or water to the rice to keep it from drying out. Add freshly made street corn to the side of the reheated chicken and rice for an added layer of flavor. The street corn’s crisp and smokey flavor will go nicely with the chicken and rice’s rich, savory flavors, resulting for a tasty and filling lunch.

Equipment Needed

Skillet:

You need a skillet to sauté the chicken or vegetables in this recipe. To produce that perfectly browned chicken with a crispy outside and tender within, you need a solid, heavy-bottomed skillet that spreads the heat evenly. You can use a cast-iron or non-stick skillet for this. A skillet helps improve the flavor by letting the chicken brown and the vegetables for your rice brown and form a rich, delicious basis.

Bowls for Mixing:

To mix together seasonings, rice, or any marinade for the chicken, you need mixing bowls. Having mixing bowls in different sizes might help you keep track of the different parts of the recipe and make sure they are properly seasoned and consistent before cooking. Pick bowls that are big enough to toss your ingredients without spilling, and make sure they are constructed of strong materials like glass or stainless steel so they last a long time and are easy to clean.

Pot or Rice Cooker:

A rice cooker is the best way to make sure your rice is always correctly cooked, so you don’t have to guess. It makes sure that your rice is fluffy and evenly cooked, and it often keeps the rice warm until you’re ready to serve it. You don’t need a rice cooker; a simple pot will do just fine. Just follow the directions for the rice-to-water ratio and let it simmer slowly. No matter what, it’s crucial to use a pot with a lid that fits tightly to keep the steam and moisture in so the rice is fluffy.

FAQ

Q: Is it okay to use rotisserie chicken that has already been cooked?

A: Yes, shredded rotisserie chicken is a good alternative. Lightly season it and heat it up before putting it in the bowl.

Q: Is it okay to use brown rice instead of white rice?

A: Yes, of course! The recipe gets a nutty taste and more fiber from the brown rice.

Q: Is it possible to create this dish without dairy?

A: You may either leave out the cotija cheese completely or use a dairy-free cheese instead.

Conclusion

The Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl is a tasty and filling meal that combines spicy street corn, seasoned chicken, and rice that is cooked just right. With lots of intense spices, creamy toppings, and different textures, it’s a fantastic choice for lunch or dinner. It has bright flavors that make it a family favorite, and both foodies and comfort food lovers love it.

This bowl is both tasty and useful. You may add your own vegetables, protein, or extra toppings like avocado, lime, or hot sauce to make it more interesting. It’s easy to make a healthy and pleasant supper with this, whether you eat it right away or save it for later.

Make this colorful meal tonight and put your own spin on it! Don’t forget to send me a picture of what you made. Tag me so we can celebrate your tasty success. Enjoy every bite!