Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl (Printable Version)
Juicy spiced chicken meets charred corn with creamy cotija sauce over fluffy rice
# Ingredient List:
→ For the Chicken
01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp chili powder
04 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ For the Rice
09 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
10 - 2 cups water or chicken broth
11 - 1/2 tsp salt
→ For the Street Corn Topping
12 - 2 cups corn kernels, fresh or frozen
13 - 1 tbsp butter
14 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
15 - 1/4 cup sour cream
16 - 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
17 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - 1 small jalapeño, finely diced
19 - Juice of 1 lime
20 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
→ For Assembly
21 - 1 avocado, sliced
22 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
23 - Extra cilantro and lime wedges for garnish
# Directions:
01 - Bring water or broth and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add rice, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until tender. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.
02 - Toss chicken breasts with olive oil, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Grill or pan-sear over medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
03 - Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add corn kernels and sauté for 3-4 minutes until lightly charred. Transfer to a bowl and stir in mayonnaise, sour cream, cotija cheese, cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice, and chili powder until well combined.
04 - Divide cooked rice among 4 bowls. Top each bowl with sliced chicken, street corn mixture, avocado slices, and cherry tomatoes. Garnish with additional cilantro and lime wedges. Serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The street corn sauce creates an instant restaurant quality finish that takes under five minutes to whisk together
- Everything cooks in one pan while rice simmers, meaning minimal cleanup and maximum flavor payoff
02 -
- Letting the chicken rest before slicing is the difference between juicy meat and dry disappointment
- The street corn mixture tastes even better after it sits for 10 minutes, so make it first and let flavors meld
03 -
- Grill your chicken outdoors when the weather permits for that extra smoky dimension
- Skip the jalapeño seeds if your family prefers mild heat, or leave them in for maximum kick