These Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowls feature smoky and juicy chicken thighs, a street corn topping and fluffy rice, topped with a creamy lime Greek yogurt sauce. The street corn is the star of this dish, bringing classic flavors like cotija cheese, mayo and chili powder. These bowls are colorful, fresh, and easy to prep ahead, making them a great option for lunch or dinner.
If summer had a signature dinner, this is it! These Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowls are everything I crave in the warmer months: bright, bold flavors, easy prep, and a bowl full of colorful ingredients that scream summer. The dish offers a perfect balance of juicy, seasoned chicken, creamy elote-style corn, and fluffy rice, all layered with zippy pickled onions and a cooling Greek yogurt-lime drizzle. It's a burst of flavors and textures in every bite.
The inspiration for these Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowls came after a weekend BBQ, where leftover grilled corn and some extra chicken thighs sparked the creation of this fresh and satisfying bowl combo. It's a perfect example of how delicious meals can be created from leftovers and a bit of creativity. Now, it's a go-to in my house, and I love how it saves me time and stress on busy days!
Juicy, seasoned chicken, creamy elote-style corn, and fluffy rice are layered with zippy pickled onions and a cooling Greek yogurt-lime drizzle. Trust me-this is not your average rice bowl.
Ingredients You'll Need for Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowls
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Street Corn Topping:
- 2 cups fresh corn kernels (or thawed frozen corn)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ⅓ cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- Salt to taste
For the Bowls:
- 3 cups cooked rice (1 cup uncooked)
- ½ cup pickled red onions
- Lime wedges for serving
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- Salt to taste
- Chopped cilantro for garnish
How to Make Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowls (Step-by-Step)
1. Marinate and Cook the Chicken
In a small bowl, combine olive oil, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Rub this spice blend over both sides of the chicken thighs and let them sit while you prepare the corn.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest before slicing. This step takes approximately 15-20 minutes, contributing to the dish's quick preparation time.
2. Make the Street Corn Topping
In the same skillet, heat olive oil and char the corn kernels for 4-5 minutes until lightly browned. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in the mayonnaise, cotija cheese, lime juice, chili powder, cilantro, and salt. Mix until creamy and coated.
3. Whip Up the Creamy Lime Sauce
Mix the Greek yogurt, lime juice, and salt until well combined and smooth. This adds a superb, tangy finish to balance the smoky and spicy notes in the bowl.
4. Assemble Your Chicken Rice Bowls
In two bowls, divide the rice. Top with sliced chicken, street corn, pickled red onions, a drizzle of yogurt sauce, and a sprinkle of cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side. That's it-dinner is done in under 35 minutes!
Why You'll Love These Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowls
- Bold, bright summer flavors
- Easy 30-minute weeknight dinner
- Perfect for meal prep or leftovers
- Balanced with protein, carbs, and healthy fats
- Kid-approved and totally customizable
Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowls FAQs
What tools do I need for this recipe?
You'll need a large skillet, mixing bowls, a rice cooker or saucepan, and a cutting board with a knife.
Can I use chicken breasts instead?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts work well-make sure to cook them evenly and check for an internal temp of 165°F.
Is this dish served hot or cold?
These bowls are best enjoyed warm right after assembly, but the components can also be eaten cold, making them ideal for packed lunches.
How should I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat gently in the microwave or eat cold, depending on your preference.
Notes and Easy Variations
- Feel free to use chicken breasts instead of thighs. Always check the temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F, you may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the thickness of the breast.
- You can add extra veggies, like shredded cabbage, diced avocado, or sliced radishes. This makes the dish more colorful and also more tasty.
- You can double the recipe to create extra meals for the week. The bowls make great leftovers.
- Make sure you are tasting and adjusting the salt level for the street corn and Greek yogurt sauce.
- I like to use fresh corn when it is in season but you can use frozen or canned corn. If frozen, make sure it is thawed and drained if using canned corn. Do not skip the step of charring the corn, it adds more flavor and warms the corn.
- To make pickled red onions at home, thinly slice half of a red onion. Then heat ½ cup white vinegar with ½ cup water in a mason jar, until it is steaming but not boiling. Add the onions and loosely cover. The longer the onions pickle, the better the flavor will be. These can be made in advance and refrigerated until needed.
- To add more flavor to the rice, you can use chicken stock in place of water. Consider also adding some lime juice and fresh cilantro for even more flavor.
Make-Ahead Tip
Double the recipe and prep the components in advance! Store each component separately and assemble when ready to serve for quick lunches or weeknight dinners.
More Easy Summer Dinner Ideas You'll Love:
-
Grilled BBQ Chicken Kabobs with Veggies
-
Easy, One-Pan Chicken Fajita Casserole
-
Strawberry Chicken Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Dressing
-
Instant Pot Butter Chicken
These Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowls are like a mini summer fiesta in a bowl-simple enough for a weeknight, impressive enough for a weekend get-together. Whether you're soaking up the sunshine or meal-prepping for busy days, this dish brings the flavor without the fuss.
Let me know in the comments if you make it-I'd love to hear your twist on it!
If you like this street corn chicken rice bowl recipe - be sure to give it a review below! Enjoy!
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Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowls
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Description
Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowls with smoky chicken thighs, creamy cotija corn, and fluffy rice—topped with a zesty lime yogurt sauce for the ultimate summer meal.
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 2 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the street corn topping:
- 2 cups fresh corn kernels
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ⅓ cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- Salt to taste
For the bowls:
- 3 cups cooked rice (1 cup uncooked rice)
- ½ cup pickled red onions
- Lime wedges for serving
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- Salt to taste
- Chopped cilantro, for serving
Instructions
- Combine the olive oil, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt and black pepper in a small bowl. Rub the mixture over the chicken thighs on both sides, covering everything very well. Allow the chicken to marinate while you prepare the corn.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and pour in the olive oil until it coats the pan. Add in the corn and allow the kernels to get a little char, about 4-5 minutes stirring occasionally. Place the corn into a mixing bowl.
- Add the mayonnaise, cotija cheese, lime juice, chili powder, cilantro and salt to taste. Mix well until all the corn is coated. Set aside for now.
- Using the same skillet, bring the heat to a medium-high temperature. Add the chicken thighs to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, allowing each side to sear and get a nice crust. Check the internal temperature reaches 165°F and then place on a cutting board and allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before slicing into pieces.
- Combine the Greek yogurt, lime juice and some salt to create the creamy sauce for the top.
- Assemble the bowls by adding equal parts rice to the bottom of the bowls. Add a sliced chicken thigh to each bowl, followed by equal parts of the street corn. Add some pickled red onions, a drizzle of the Greek yogurt sauce and some extra cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Jessica Roach says
I’ve made some variation of these bowls several times but this one was by far the best and I saved the recipe! It’s the perfect blend of flavors! I topped with quick pickled onions and it was such a hit thank you.
Melanie E says
Oh wow, I'm drooling and I've just had a quick bite to eat. This looks amazing. The chicken sounds like it would be full of flavour. It's a great combo of flavours. This would make a really filling meal for me and hubby x
Renata Feyen says
This sounds perfect for a warm day. So great also that it was inspired by leftovers. I love corn, so definitely something for me
SONIA SEIVWRIGHT says
This reminds me of something I’d throw together when I’m craving comfort food but still want it to feel a bit fresh. I grew up loving corn on the cob in the summer, so that street corn flavour hits home.
Marysa says
This is a great way to enjoy street corn! I like rice bowls, and it is fun how creative you can get with different combinations. I love street corn, and I have even had it in Mexico.
Ben says
I made this for Taco Tuesday, and it's going to be the meal of choice on Tuesdays for the foreseeable future!
Bedabrata Chakraborty says
I have had a lot of chicken rice in Singapore. However I have never had it with sweet corn topping. That should add an interesting twist. Will try this recipe.
Paula says
These chicken and rice bowls were taken to the next level with the street corn! It was absolutely delicious and I will definitely be making this one again.
Suzanne Wynn says
This was delish!! Whole family loved it. Even my 83 year old mom who hates how often I make Mexican food 🤣
(We used a blacked, frozen package of corn)
LisaLisa says
Mmmmm, mmmmm, Good! I could enjoy a bowl of this street corn chicken rice bowl right about now. Looks so tasty and favorable.
Jen Schreiner says
OH MY!!!! This bowl has it all. There is nothing that I don't like. I know my family will enjoy this recipe.
Mow De says
You’ve hit the nail on the head in terms of flavour! Thanks for this wonderful recipe.
Stacie k says
I’m SO making this in the next few days. Definitely a great dinner idea. Love this so much.
Melissa Cushing says
I am going to the grocery store now to grab a few things as I have to make this recipe! Looks so good!
vidya says
we love making mexican corn rice and i can't wait to try your recipe (minus the chicken though and using tofu or sofritas maybe instead).. love your recipes
Jess Benoit says
This recipe is exactly the kind of comfort food I crave. Can’t wait to try it!
Kathy says
Street corn is amazing! It is probably one of my favorites. I love that this is a street corn bowl too. I need to make this soon.
Tara Pittman says
I love street corn and this recipe sounds amazing. I need to make this for dinner.
Amber Myers says
This looks like the best dish! I am all about street corn, so I know my family will gobble this right up for dinner.