Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl

Craving a meal that’s bold, flavorful, and effortlessly satisfying? This Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl brings together everything you love about Mexican street corn—charred roasted corn, creamy cotija cheese, and a zesty cilantro lime sauce—with juicy grilled chicken and fluffy rice. It’s the perfect balance of smoky, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors, all in one easy-to-make bowl.

Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week or looking for a quick, wholesome dinner, this recipe delivers. Plus, it’s totally customizable—swap the chipotle seasoning for something milder, add black beans for extra protein, or toss in some avocado slices for a creamy finish. Ready to dig in? Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl

This Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl isn’t just another meal—it’s a flavor-packed experience that brings together Mexican street food flavors in a simple, wholesome dish. Here’s why you’ll love it:

 Bold, Smoky, and Creamy – The perfect balance of grilled chicken, roasted corn, and creamy cotija sauce makes every bite irresistible.
Easy and Quick – Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights.
Customizable – Adjust the spice level, swap the protein, or add extra toppings like avocado slices or black beans for more texture and flavor.
Meal-Prep Friendly – Make a batch in advance and enjoy delicious, hassle-free lunches all week.

This recipe is a game-changer if you love fresh, vibrant ingredients with a bit of zesty heat. Let’s dive into what you’ll need!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before we dive into cooking, let’s gather everything you need for this Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl. Each ingredient plays a key role in bringing out the bold, smoky, and creamy flavors that make this dish so irresistible.

For the Chicken:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for extra juiciness)
  
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
  
• 1 teaspoon chipotle seasoning (or smoked paprika for a milder kick)
  
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  
• ½ teaspoon cumin
  
• ½ teaspoon salt
  
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  
• Juice of 1 lime
  

For the Cilantro Lime Rice:

• 1 cup white or brown rice, cooked
  
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
  
• Juice of 1 lime
  
• ½ teaspoon salt
  

For the Street Corn Topping:

• 1 ½ cups roasted corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
  
• ¼ cup cotija cheese, crumbled (or feta as a substitute)
  
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
  
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
  
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
  
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
  

For Toppings (Optional but Highly Recommended!):

• Avocado slices – for a creamy contrast
  
• Black beans – for extra protein and fiber
  
• Cherry tomatoes, halved – for a fresh, juicy bite
  
• Red onion, finely chopped – for crunch and mild heat
  
• Jalapeños, sliced – if you love extra spice
  
• Extra cilantro and cotija cheese – because you can never have too much!

How to Make the Perfect Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl

Now that we have all the ingredients ready, let’s put everything together! Follow these simple steps to create a bowl bursting with smoky, creamy, and zesty flavors.

Step 1: Marinate and Cook the Chicken

1. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, chipotle seasoning, garlic powder, cumin, salt, black pepper, and lime juice to create a flavorful marinade.
   
2. Coat the chicken breasts evenly with the marinade and let them sit for at least 10 minutes (or up to 30 minutes for extra flavor).
   
3. Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for about 5-6 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and slightly charred.
   
4. Remove from heat and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing it into strips.
   

Step 2: Prepare the Cilantro Lime Rice

1. Cook the white or brown rice according to package instructions.
   
2. Once cooked, fluff the rice with a fork and stir in chopped cilantro, fresh lime juice, and salt for a bright, zesty kick.
   

Step 3: Make the Street Corn Topping

1. If using fresh corn, roast it in a dry pan over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until slightly charred. If using canned or frozen corn, drain and pat it dry before roasting.
   
2. In a bowl, mix the roasted corn, cotija cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, chili powder, and lime juice until well combined.
   

Step 4: Assemble the Bowls

1. Start with a generous scoop of cilantro lime rice as the base.
   
2. Layer on the sliced grilled chicken and spoon the street corn topping over the top.
   
3. Add your favorite toppings—avocado slices, black beans, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and jalapeños for extra flavor and texture.
   
4. Garnish with more cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice for the ultimate finishing touch.

Pro Tips & Creative Variations

Want to take your Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl to the next level? These pro tips and variations will help you customize the dish to fit your taste and dietary preferences while ensuring the best flavor and texture in every bite.

Pro Tips for the Best Flavor

Marinate Longer for Juicier Chicken – If you have time, let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes or even overnight. This helps infuse deep, smoky flavors.

Get a Perfect Char on the Corn – For an authentic Mexican street corn taste, roast the corn kernels in a dry skillet until they develop a golden-brown char. No oil needed!

Fluff the Rice Right – After cooking, let the rice sit for a few minutes before fluffing with a fork. This prevents it from becoming mushy.

Balance the Heat – Adjust the spice level by adding more or less chipotle seasoning, chili powder, or jalapeños based on your heat tolerance.

Use Fresh Lime for Brightness – A squeeze of fresh lime juice over the finished bowl enhances all the flavors and ties everything together beautifully.

Creative Variations to Try

Make It Vegetarian – Swap the chicken for grilled portobello mushrooms, roasted sweet potatoes, or crispy tofu for a plant-based twist.

Try a Creamy Avocado Dressing – Instead of the classic street corn topping, blend avocado, Greek yogurt, lime juice, and garlic into a creamy drizzle.

Add a Spicy Kick – Love heat? Mix some hot sauce or chipotle adobo sauce into the street corn topping for extra spice.

Turn It into a Salad – Swap the rice for chopped romaine or mixed greens, and enjoy a fresh, lower-carb version.

Transform It into Tacos – Instead of a bowl, serve everything in warm tortillas for delicious street corn chicken tacos.

Serving Suggestions

Your Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl is bursting with bold flavors, creamy textures, and just the right amount of spice. Now, let’s make sure you serve it in a way that enhances every delicious bite!

Perfect Pairings

With Warm Tortillas – Serve with soft corn or flour tortillas on the side for a fun, build-your-own taco experience.

As a Side with a Fresh Salad – A light cilantro-lime slaw or a crisp Mexican chopped salad adds freshness and crunch.

With a Side of Black Bean Soup – A warm, hearty black bean or tortilla soup pairs beautifully with this bowl for a complete meal.

Topped with Extra Cheese & Crema – A drizzle of Mexican crema and an extra sprinkle of cotija cheese make the flavors even richer.

Paired with a Refreshing Drink – Enjoy with homemade agua fresca, a classic margarita, or a citrusy limeade to balance the spice.

Best Ways to Serve

Family-Style – Arrange all the ingredients in separate bowls and let everyone build their own customized bowl. Great for picky eaters!

Meal-Prep Friendly – Store the grilled chicken, cilantro-lime rice, and street corn topping separately in airtight containers. When ready to eat, just reheat and assemble!

Great for Parties – Set up a Street Corn Chicken Bowl Bar with various toppings so guests can mix and match their favorites.

Conclusion

And there you have it—your Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl is ready to steal the show! With smoky grilled chicken, creamy cotija cheese, zesty cilantro-lime rice, and a pop of roasted corn, this bowl is packed with flavor in every bite. Whether you’re enjoying it as a quick weeknight dinner, prepping it for meal prep, or serving it at a gathering, it’s a versatile and crowd-pleasing dish.

The best part? You can customize it to your liking—add avocado, adjust the spice, or swap the protein for a veggie alternative. It’s the kind of meal that adapts to whatever you’re in the mood for.

So next time you’re craving something vibrant, satisfying, and full of flavor, you know exactly what to make. Enjoy every bite, and don’t forget to share it with friends and family—they’ll be asking for the recipe! 

Happy cooking, and I hope this Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl becomes your new go-to favorite meal!

Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl

Paul, AI Chef

Try this delicious Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl! A perfect blend of smoky chicken, creamy street corn, and cilantro-lime rice for a flavorful, easy meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Dish

Cuisine Mexican, tex-mex

Servings 4 people

Calories 550 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Chicken:

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for extra juiciness)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chipotle seasoning or smoked paprika for a milder kick
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Juice of 1 lime

For the Cilantro Lime Rice:

• 1 cup white or brown rice cooked
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
• Juice of 1 lime
• ½ teaspoon salt

For the Street Corn Topping:

• 1 ½ cups roasted corn fresh, frozen, or canned
• ¼ cup cotija cheese crumbled (or feta as a substitute)
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon lime juice

For Toppings (Optional but Highly Recommended!):

• Avocado slices – for a creamy contrast
• Black beans – for extra protein and fiber
• Cherry tomatoes halved – for a fresh, juicy bite
• Red onion finely chopped – for crunch and mild heat
• Jalapeños sliced – if you love extra spice
• Extra cilantro and cotija cheese – because you can never have too much!

Instructions

 

Step 1: Marinate and Cook the Chicken

• In a small bowl, mix olive oil, chipotle seasoning, garlic powder, cumin, salt, black pepper, and lime juice to create a flavorful marinade.
• Coat the chicken breasts evenly with the marinade and let them sit for at least 10 minutes (or up to 30 minutes for extra flavor).
• Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for about 5-6 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and slightly charred.
• Remove from heat and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing it into strips.

Step 2: Prepare the Cilantro Lime Rice

• Cook the white or brown rice according to package instructions.
• Once cooked, fluff the rice with a fork and stir in chopped cilantro, fresh lime juice, and salt for a bright, zesty kick.

Step 3: Make the Street Corn Topping

• If using fresh corn, roast it in a dry pan over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until slightly charred. If using canned or frozen corn, drain and pat it dry before roasting.
• In a bowl, mix the roasted corn, cotija cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, chili powder, and lime juice until well combined.

Step 4: Assemble the Bowls

• Start with a generous scoop of cilantro lime rice as the base.
• Layer on the sliced grilled chicken and spoon the street corn topping over the top.
• Add your favorite toppings—avocado slices, black beans, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and jalapeños for extra flavor and texture.
• Garnish with more cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice for the ultimate finishing touch.

Notes

Nutrition Information (per serving):

• Calories: 550 kcal
• Protein: 34g
• Fat: 22g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 6g
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 820mg

FAQs

I know you might have some questions, so let’s clear up any doubts you might have about making this Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl. Here are some frequently asked questions to help you along the way!