Street Corn Chicken Bowl (Printable)
Grilled chicken meets charred street corn, creamy cotija, and tangy lime crema over rice and greens.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
04 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - ½ teaspoon cumin
06 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
07 - ½ teaspoon salt
08 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
→ Street Corn
09 - 2 ears corn on the cob or 1½ cups frozen corn, thawed
10 - 1 tablespoon butter
11 - ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - ¼ teaspoon chili powder
13 - Pinch of salt
→ Bowl Base
14 - 1 cup cooked white or brown rice
15 - 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
→ Toppings
16 - ⅓ cup crumbled cotija cheese or feta
17 - ⅓ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
18 - 1 ripe avocado, diced
19 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
→ Lime Crema
20 - ⅓ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
21 - Zest and juice of 1 lime
22 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
23 - Salt and pepper to taste
# Directions:
01 - Combine olive oil, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Add chicken breasts and coat thoroughly. Allow to marinate for at least 10 minutes.
02 - Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into thin strips.
03 - For fresh corn, brush with butter and grill until charred in spots, 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally. Cut kernels from the cob. For frozen corn, sauté in a skillet with butter until heated through and lightly charred. Toss corn with smoked paprika, chili powder, and a pinch of salt.
04 - Whisk together sour cream or Greek yogurt, lime zest, lime juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
05 - Divide rice and lettuce evenly between two bowls. Arrange sliced chicken, street corn, cherry tomatoes, avocado, cotija cheese, and cilantro on top. Drizzle with lime crema and serve immediately with additional lime wedges if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of smoky grilled chicken and sweet charred corn creates layers of flavor that hit every craving
- You get that authentic street corn experience without standing over a hot grill all evening
- Everything comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for weeknight dinners that feel special
02 -
- Letting the grilled chicken rest before slicing is non negotiable, otherwise all those juices end up on your cutting board instead of in your bowl
- The lime crema tastes better after it sits for 10 minutes, so make it first and let the flavors meld
- Char your corn more than you think you should, those dark spots are where all the flavor lives
03 -
- Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly, so take it out of the fridge 20 minutes before grilling
- Cotija cheese is worth seeking out, but a sharp feta works in a pinch