Have you ever craved a dish that brings together the essence of summer barbecues and vibrant street food? The Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl is a celebration of bold flavors, creamy textures, and fresh ingredients. Imagine juicy grilled chicken nestled atop fluffy rice, all drizzled with a zesty sauce and finished with charred corn and tangy cheese. It’s a dish that not only pleases the palate but also warms the heart.
Why You’ll Love This Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl
Flavor Explosion: The combination of charred corn, seasoned chicken, and zesty toppings creates a flavor profile that is both rich and refreshing. Each ingredient complements the others perfectly, ensuring every bite is packed with excitement.
Easy to Prepare: This recipe is straightforward and requires minimal cooking skills. Even novice cooks can impress their family or guests with this colorful dish while spending less time in the kitchen.
Customizable Ingredients: You can easily swap out the ingredients based on your preferences or what you have on hand. Whether it’s adding black beans for extra protein or substituting quinoa for rice, make it your own!
Perfect for Meal Prep: This dish stores well in the fridge and makes an excellent option for meal prep. You can prepare individual bowls ahead of time for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Use about 3-4 chicken breasts to ensure there’s enough protein for everyone.
- Fresh Corn: Select sweet corn either on the cob or as frozen kernels; both will add sweetness to your bowl.
- White Rice: Cooked white rice serves as the hearty base; you could substitute brown rice or cauliflower rice if preferred.
- Mayonnaise: A few tablespoons will help create a creamy sauce when mixed with lime juice and spices.
- Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice adds brightness and balances out the richness of the other ingredients.
- Chili Powder: Use chili powder to season your chicken; it gives it an authentic Mexican flair.
For the Toppings:
- Cotija Cheese: Crumbled cotija cheese offers a salty kick that enhances every bite.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds an herbaceous note; feel free to omit if you’re not a fan.
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
How to Make Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl
Follow these simple steps to prepare this delicious dish:
Prepare Your Ingredients: Start by gathering all ingredients and preparing them as needed. Cook your rice according to package instructions while you grill or sauté your chicken.
Season and Cook Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and chili powder. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for about six minutes per side until thoroughly cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
Char the Corn: If using fresh corn on the cob, grill it until slightly charred (about three minutes per side). If using frozen corn, sauté it in a skillet until heated through and slightly caramelized.
Create Sauce Mixture: In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise with lime juice and additional chili powder if desired. Adjust seasoning based on your taste preference; this will be drizzled on top of your bowl.
Assemble Your Bowls: In serving bowls, layer cooked rice at the bottom followed by sliced chicken and charred corn. Drizzle the sauce over everything generously.
Add Toppings & Serve!: Finish off by sprinkling crumbled cotija cheese and chopped cilantro over each bowl. Serve immediately for an enjoyable meal!
Tips and Tricks
Adjust Spice Levels: If you’re sensitive to spice but enjoy flavor, start with less chili powder when seasoning your chicken and gradually add more as needed.
Garnishing Options: Feel free to get creative with garnishes! Avocado slices or diced tomatoes can enhance both flavor and visual appeal.
Meal Prep Tips: For efficient meal prepping, cook large batches of chicken and rice ahead of time so you can quickly assemble bowls during busy weekdays.
FAQs
What is a Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl?
A Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl is a delicious meal that combines grilled chicken, seasoned rice, and street corn inspired toppings like cotija cheese and cilantro.
Can I make Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare components like chicken and rice in advance. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to three days.
What toppings should I add to my Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl?
Enhance your Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl with toppings such as avocado slices, diced jalapeños, or fresh cilantro. You can also drizzle it with crema or hot sauce for added flavor and spice.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! The Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl is perfect for meal prep. You can divide portions into meal containers for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week. Just keep toppings separate until you’re ready to enjoy them fresh.
Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
Description
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl, an enticing fusion of grilled chicken, sweet charred corn, and fluffy rice. This dish pays homage to Mexican street food with juicy chicken seasoned with chili powder, creamy mayo-lime sauce, and topped with crumbled cotija cheese and fresh cilantro. Whether you’re hosting a casual gathering or seeking a quick weeknight dinner, this colorful bowl offers a satisfying meal that’s both easy to prepare and customizable. Feel free to add your twist—each bite transports your taste buds straight to the lively streets of Mexico.
Ingredients
- 3–4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Sweet corn (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup cooked white rice (or brown/cauliflower rice)
- Mayonnaise
- Freshly squeezed lime juice
- Chili powder
- Cotija cheese (for topping)
- Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- 1. Prepare your ingredients: Cook rice according to package instructions. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and chili powder.
- 2. Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for about 6 minutes per side until fully cooked (internal temperature reaches 165°F).
- 3. Char the corn: Grill fresh corn until charred or sauté frozen corn in a skillet until heated through.
- 4. Make the sauce: Mix mayonnaise with lime juice and chili powder in a small bowl; adjust seasoning as desired.
- 5. Assemble bowls: Layer cooked rice at the bottom of serving bowls, followed by sliced chicken and charred corn. Drizzle with sauce and top with cotija cheese and cilantro.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 400g)
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
