Mexican Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl Recipe
This Mexican Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl combines tender, spiced grilled chicken with flavorful jasmine rice, charred street-style corn, and creamy cotija cheese. Finished with a zesty lime crema and fresh cilantro, it’s a vibrant and satisfying meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or casual gathering.
- Author: Rico
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling, Searing, Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken Marinade
- 1 pound Boneless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon Paprika
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 Lime, juice only
- Salt & pepper to taste
Rice
- 1.5 cups Jasmine rice
- 3 cups Chicken broth
- 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 Lime, zest and juice
Street Corn
- 3 ears Fresh corn (or 2 cups frozen corn)
- 2 tablespoons Mayonnaise
- 0.5 teaspoon Chili powder
Toppings & Garnish
- 0.5 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
- 0.5 cup Mexican crema or sour cream
- 1 Lime, juice only
- Pinch of Salt
- Marinate Chicken: In a bowl, combine the boneless chicken thighs with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, paprika, minced garlic, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to coat the chicken evenly with the marinade.
- Let it Rest: Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to absorb all the flavors.
- Cook Rice: Rinse jasmine rice under cold water until clear. In a pot, bring chicken broth to a boil, then add rinsed rice. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until rice is tender and broth is absorbed.
- Finish Rice: Fluff the cooked rice with a fork. Stir in chopped fresh cilantro, lime zest, and lime juice to infuse the rice with bright, fresh flavors.
- Char Corn: If using fresh corn, grill the ears over medium heat until slightly charred and smoky, about 7-10 minutes, turning occasionally. Let cool, then cut kernels off the cob. If using frozen corn, simply thaw and lightly sauté for a few minutes to warm.
- Prepare Street Corn Mix: In a bowl, toss the corn kernels with mayonnaise and half the chili powder, mixing until well combined for that authentic Mexican street corn flavor.
- Grill Chicken: Grill or sear the marinated chicken over medium-high heat for about 6-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the outside is golden and slightly charred.
- Slice Chicken: Remove the chicken from heat and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. Then slice into strips or bite-sized pieces.
- Make Crema: Mix the Mexican crema or sour cream with lime juice and a pinch of salt to create a tangy, creamy sauce to drizzle over the bowl.
- Assemble Bowl: In serving bowls, layer the lime-cilantro jasmine rice as the base, top with sliced grilled chicken, dressed street corn, crumbled cotija cheese, a generous drizzle of lime crema, fresh cilantro garnish, and an optional wedge of lime on the side.
Notes
- For spicier bowls, add extra chili powder or a dash of hot sauce.
- If fresh corn isn’t available, thawed frozen corn works well with a quick sauté to bring out sweetness.
- Marinate chicken overnight for deeper flavor.
- Substitute cotija cheese with feta if unavailable.
- Use low-fat sour cream for a lighter option in the crema.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 350g)
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Mexican street corn, chicken rice bowl, grilled chicken, cotija cheese, lime crema, flavorful dinner