Street Corn Chicken Bowl (Printable)
Grilled spiced chicken meets charred street corn, tangy cotija, and fresh lime crema in this vibrant Mexican-inspired bowl.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
04 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - ½ teaspoon cumin
06 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
07 - ½ teaspoon salt
08 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
→ Street Corn
09 - 2 ears corn on the cob (or 1½ cups frozen corn, thawed)
10 - 1 tablespoon butter
11 - ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - ¼ teaspoon chili powder
13 - Pinch of salt
→ Bowl Base
14 - 1 cup cooked white or brown rice (or cauliflower rice for low carb)
15 - 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
→ Toppings
16 - ⅓ cup crumbled cotija cheese (or feta)
17 - ⅓ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
18 - 1 ripe avocado, diced
19 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
→ Lime Crema
20 - ⅓ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
21 - Zest and juice of 1 lime
22 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
23 - Salt and pepper, to taste
# Step-by-step:
01 - Combine olive oil, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Add chicken breasts and coat thoroughly. Marinate for at least 10 minutes to allow flavors to penetrate.
02 - Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
03 - For fresh corn, brush with butter and grill for 8–10 minutes until charred, turning occasionally. Cut kernels from the cob. For frozen corn, sauté in a skillet with butter until heated through and lightly charred. Toss with smoked paprika, chili powder, and salt.
04 - Whisk together sour cream (or Greek yogurt), lime zest, lime juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
05 - Divide rice and lettuce evenly between two bowls. Arrange sliced chicken, street corn, cherry tomatoes, avocado, cotija cheese, and cilantro on top. Drizzle generously with lime crema and serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The lime crema makes everything taste like a fancy food truck parked in your kitchen
- You get that perfect smoky street corn flavor without standing over a grill for hours
02 -
- Letting the chicken rest for five minutes after grilling is the difference between juicy meat and dry disappointment
- The crema needs to hit the bowl right before eating or the lettuce gets weird and sad
03 -
- Use a microplane for the lime zest to get those tiny fragrant oils without any bitter white pith
- Sprinkle a little extra chili powder on the corn right before serving for a pop of color and heat