Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl

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This Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl takes everything people love about Mexican street corn (elote)—charred corn, lime, chili, creamy sauce, salty cheese—and turns it into a hearty, meal-prep-friendly bowl. It’s cozy but fresh, indulgent but balanced, and easy enough for a weeknight while still feeling restaurant-worthy.

Perfect for:

  • Meal prep

  • Family dinners

  • Customizable bowls

  • Using up leftover chicken or rice

🧾 INGREDIENTS (Serves 4)

🍚 Base

  • 2 cups cooked rice

    • White rice (classic)

    • Brown rice (nutty + hearty)

    • Cilantro-lime rice (extra flavor)

    • Cauliflower rice (low-carb option)

🍗 Chicken

  • 1½ lbs chicken breast or thighs

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

  • 1 tsp chili powder

  • ½ tsp cumin

  • ½ tsp garlic powder

  • Salt & black pepper to taste

  • Optional: ½ tsp cayenne for heat

🌽 Street Corn Mixture

  • 1½–2 cups corn kernels

    • Fresh (cut off the cob)

    • Frozen (thawed)

    • Canned (drained & dried well)

  • 1 tbsp butter or oil

  • ¼ tsp smoked paprika

  • Pinch of salt

🥣 Creamy Street Corn Sauce

  • ⅓ cup mayonnaise

  • ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt

  • Zest + juice of 1 lime

  • 1 small garlic clove, finely grated

  • ½ tsp chili powder

  • ¼ tsp cumin

  • Salt to taste

🌿 Toppings (Choose your favorites)

  • Crumbled cotija cheese or feta

  • Chopped cilantro

  • Sliced green onions

  • Diced avocado

  • Jalapeño slices

  • Extra lime wedges

  • Hot sauce or chipotle crema

🔥 STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

1️⃣ Cook the Rice (Foundation Matters)

If you haven’t already cooked your rice, start here.

For extra flavor:

  • Replace half the cooking water with chicken broth

  • Add a pinch of salt

  • Finish with lime juice and chopped cilantro

Fluff the rice and set aside. Keep it warm.

2️⃣ Season & Cook the Chicken

Pat the chicken dry (this helps browning).

In a bowl, toss chicken with:

  • Olive oil

  • Smoked paprika

  • Chili powder

  • Cumin

  • Garlic powder

  • Salt & pepper

Cooking options:

Pan-seared (best crust):

  • Heat a skillet over medium-high

  • Cook chicken 5–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through

Grilled (smoky & bold):

  • Grill over medium heat 6–8 minutes per side

Air fryer (easy mode):

  • 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes

Once cooked:

  • Let rest 5 minutes

  • Dice or slice into bite-size pieces

3️⃣ Char the Corn (Flavor Bomb)

This step is key. Don’t skip it.

Heat a skillet (preferably cast iron) over high heat.
Add butter or oil, then corn.

Let it sit undisturbed for 2–3 minutes until charred.
Stir and cook another 2 minutes.

Season with:

  • Smoked paprika

  • Salt

Remove from heat.

4️⃣ Make the Creamy Street Corn Sauce

In a bowl, whisk together:

  • Mayo

  • Sour cream or yogurt

  • Lime zest & juice

  • Garlic

  • Chili powder

  • Cumin

  • Salt

Taste and adjust:

  • More lime = brighter

  • More chili = spicier

  • More salt = bolder

Fold half the sauce into the warm corn.
Reserve the rest for drizzling.

5️⃣ Assemble the Bowls

Now the fun part 🎉

In each bowl:

  1. Spoon in rice

  2. Add chicken

  3. Top with creamy street corn

  4. Drizzle extra sauce

  5. Finish with cotija, cilantro, green onions, and lime

🌶️ FLAVOR VARIATIONS

🔥 Spicy Lovers

  • Add chipotle powder to the chicken

  • Mix hot sauce into the sauce

  • Top with pickled jalapeños

🧀 Extra Creamy

  • Add cream cheese (2 tbsp) to the sauce

  • Sprinkle shredded Monterey Jack

🥑 Fresh & Light

  • Use Greek yogurt only (no mayo)

  • Add extra avocado and tomato

  • Serve with cauliflower rice

🌮 Taco-Style Bowl

  • Swap rice for shredded lettuce

  • Add black beans

  • Finish with pico de gallo

🥗 MEAL PREP TIPS

This bowl is meal-prep gold.

  • Store rice, chicken, and corn separately

  • Sauce keeps 4–5 days refrigerated

  • Reheat rice & chicken, then add cold toppings

  • Keeps well up to 4 days

🧠 WHY THIS BOWL WORKS

  • Texture contrast: fluffy rice, juicy chicken, crisp corn

  • Balanced flavor: creamy, smoky, acidic, salty

  • Customizable: carbs, protein, spice level

  • Approachable: familiar ingredients, bold payoff

⭐ FINAL THOUGHT

This Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl is one of those recipes that feels indulgent but cooks easy, looks impressive but doesn’t stress you out, and hits every craving in one bowl. It’s comfort food with personality.

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