Description
This Mexican Street Corn Chicken recipe combines tender baked chicken breasts with a vibrant and creamy street corn topping, inspired by traditional Mexican elote. The chicken is seasoned with a smoky spice rub and baked to juicy perfection, then topped with a flavorful mix of corn, mayonnaise, sour cream, cotija cheese, lime, cilantro, and jalapeño for a delicious, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Street Corn Topping
- 1 ½ cups corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- â…“ cup mayonnaise
- â…“ cup sour cream
- ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese, plus more for topping
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Seasoning: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper to create a flavorful spice rub.
- Season the Chicken: Rub the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts, ensuring each piece is well coated with the spices for maximum flavor.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in a greased baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), indicating the chicken is fully cooked and juicy.
- Prepare the Street Corn Topping: While the chicken bakes, combine corn kernels, mayonnaise, sour cream, crumbled cotija cheese, lime juice, lime zest, chopped cilantro, and diced jalapeño (if using) in a bowl. Mix thoroughly to blend flavors.
- Add Topping and Finish Baking: Once the chicken is cooked, spoon the street corn mixture generously over each chicken breast. Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes to warm the topping through.
- Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and garnish with extra crumbled cotija cheese and fresh cilantro before serving. Enjoy with your favorite sides such as rice, tortillas, or a fresh salad.
Notes
- Grill the chicken instead of baking for a smoky flavor.
- Serve with rice, tortillas, or a side salad for a complete meal.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a lighter version.
- Fresh or frozen corn can be used depending on availability.
- Adjust jalapeño quantity based on desired heat level.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with topping
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
