Description
This Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl is a perfect blend of smoky grilled chicken, charred corn, and fluffy rice, all tossed with a creamy, tangy sauce. It’s inspired by the flavors of Mexican street corn (elote) and makes a delicious, hearty meal that’s quick to prepare.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Juice of 1 lime
For the Rice:
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
- 1 tbsp butter (optional)
- Juice of 1/2 lime
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
For the Street Corn Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups corn (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup cotija cheese (or feta), crumbled
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
For Garnish:
- 1 jalapeño, sliced
- Extra cotija cheese
- Lime wedges
- Hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
-
Prepare the Chicken:
- Preheat grill or stovetop pan over medium-high heat.
- In a small bowl, mix olive oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Rub this seasoning all over the chicken breasts.
- Grill for 5-6 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Remove from heat, squeeze lime juice over the top, and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
-
Make the Rice:
- If using fresh-cooked rice, mix in butter (if using), lime juice, and chopped cilantro. Stir to combine.
-
Prepare the Street Corn Topping:
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and corn, cooking until slightly charred (about 3-5 minutes).
- Transfer corn to a bowl and mix with salt, smoked paprika, mayonnaise, sour cream, cotija cheese, lime juice, chili powder, garlic, and chopped cilantro.
-
Assemble the Bowl:
- Divide rice into bowls. Top with sliced chicken and a generous scoop of street corn mixture.
- Garnish with jalapeño slices, extra cotija cheese, lime wedges, and hot sauce if desired.
Notes
- Swap cotija for feta if you can’t find it.
- Add black beans or avocado for extra flavor.
- Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Serve with a drizzle of crema or extra sauce for more creaminess.