Mexican Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl Recipe
This Mexican Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining juicy marinated chicken thighs, aromatic cilantro-lime jasmine rice, and charred street-style corn tossed with creamy mayo and chili powder. Topped with crumbled cotija cheese, a zesty lime crema, and fresh cilantro, this bowl brings the authentic taste of Mexican street food to your home in an easy and satisfying meal.
- Author: Ruby
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling and stovetop cooking
- 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 and Garnishes
- 0.5 cup Cotija cheese (Crumbled)
- Fresh cilantro (For garnish)
- 0.5 cup Mexican crema or sour cream
- 1 Lime (Juice only)
- Salt (Pinch)
- 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 well to evenly coat the chicken with the marinade.
- Let Chicken Rest: Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavors deeply. For best results, marinate up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
- Cook Rice: Rinse jasmine rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a pot, bring the chicken broth to a boil, add the rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Finish Rice: Once cooked, fluff the rice gently with a fork. Stir in chopped fresh cilantro along with the zest and juice of one lime to brighten the flavor.
- Char Corn: Grill the fresh ears of corn over medium-high heat until charred and lightly blackened on all sides, about 7-10 minutes. Let cool slightly, then slice kernels off the cob. If using frozen corn, sauté in a hot pan until lightly browned.
- Make Street Corn Mix: Toss the grilled corn kernels with mayonnaise and half a teaspoon of chili powder until well combined.
- Grill Chicken: Grill or pan-sear the marinated chicken thighs over medium-high heat for 4-6 minutes per side, until fully cooked and golden brown on the outside.
- Slice Chicken: Remove the chicken from heat, let rest for 5 minutes to retain juices, then slice thinly.
- Prepare Crema: In a small bowl, whisk together the Mexican crema or sour cream, lime juice, and a pinch of salt to create a tangy dressing.
- Assemble Bowl: In serving bowls, layer the cilantro-lime jasmine rice, sliced chicken, street corn mixture, crumbled cotija cheese, a drizzle of lime crema, garnish with fresh cilantro and an extra wedge of lime if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add extra chili powder or a dash of cayenne pepper to the chicken marinade or corn mix.
- If fresh corn is not in season, frozen corn works well and can be pan-toasted for similar flavor.
- The Mexican crema can be substituted with sour cream or Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
- Leftover chicken and rice can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated for a quick meal.
- Use bone-in, skinless thighs if preferred, but adjust cooking time to ensure thorough cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Mexican street corn, chicken rice bowl, grilled chicken, cilantro lime rice, cotija cheese, lime crema, mexican street food, easy dinner, gluten free