A Flavor-Packed, Satisfying Meal in a Bowl
This Loaded Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl combines the bold flavors of Mexican street corn with juicy, seasoned chicken and fluffy rice, creating a dish that’s both hearty and delicious. Inspired by elote (Mexican street corn), this bowl features smoky, creamy, and tangy notes balanced with a satisfying mix of textures. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep for the week ahead.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Full of Flavor – Smoky, creamy, and tangy street corn pairs beautifully with seasoned chicken.
- Easy to Make – Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this meal approachable.
- Meal Prep Friendly – Store well for quick, delicious lunches or dinners.
- Customizable – Adjust spice levels and toppings to fit your preference.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Juice of 1 lime
For the Rice
- 1 cup white or brown rice
- 2 cups water or chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Street Corn Topping
- 2 ears corn (or 1½ cups frozen corn)
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream or Mexican crema
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Juice of ½ lime
- ¼ cup crumbled cotija cheese (or feta as a substitute)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Additional Toppings
- 1 avocado, sliced
- ½ cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- Hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Rice
- Rinse the rice under cold water to remove excess starch.
- In a pot, combine rice, water (or chicken broth), and salt.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes (or according to package instructions).
- Fluff with a fork and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
- In a small bowl, mix chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Coat the chicken with olive oil and rub the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides.
- Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked (internal temperature reaches 165°F).
- Remove from heat, let it rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
Step 3: Make the Street Corn Topping
- If using fresh corn, cut the kernels off the cob. If using frozen corn, thaw and drain.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, char the corn for 3-5 minutes until slightly blackened.
- In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, sour cream, chili powder, smoked paprika, and lime juice.
- Stir in the charred corn, cotija cheese, and cilantro.
Step 4: Assemble the Bowl
- Divide the cooked rice among serving bowls.
- Top with sliced chicken, street corn mixture, black beans, cherry tomatoes, and avocado slices.
- Drizzle with hot sauce, if desired.
- Garnish with extra cotija cheese and fresh cilantro.
Variations and Substitutions
- Make it Vegetarian – Swap chicken for grilled tofu or portobello mushrooms.
- Use a Different Protein – Try shrimp, steak, or shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Spice it Up – Add diced jalapeños to the corn mixture for extra heat.
- Low-Carb Option – Replace rice with cauliflower rice.
- Dairy-Free Version – Use dairy-free sour cream and skip the cheese.
Servings and Time
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Rice and chicken freeze well, but the street corn mixture is best fresh.
- Reheating: Warm rice and chicken in the microwave for 1-2 minutes before assembling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make this dish spicier?
You can increase the heat by adding cayenne pepper to the chicken seasoning, mixing hot sauce into the street corn, or topping with sliced jalapeños.
Can I use rotisserie chicken instead?
Yes! Shredded rotisserie chicken works well and saves time. Simply season it lightly before adding it to the bowl.
What’s the best way to char the corn?
If you have a gas stove, you can char whole ears of corn directly over the flame before cutting off the kernels. Otherwise, use a hot skillet or grill.
Is there a good substitute for cotija cheese?
Feta cheese is a great alternative if cotija isn’t available. Parmesan can also work in a pinch.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Prep all ingredients separately and store them in airtight containers. Assemble just before serving.
How do I make it gluten-free?
This dish is naturally gluten-free as long as all seasoning blends and toppings are free from gluten-containing additives.
Can I use canned corn?
Yes, but be sure to drain and dry it well before charring in a skillet for the best flavor.
What can I serve with this bowl?
Pair it with a side of tortilla chips and guacamole, or serve with a simple side salad.
How do I make this dish creamier?
Mix a little extra sour cream or crema into the street corn topping, or drizzle with a bit of avocado crema.
What other toppings work well?
Pickled red onions, shredded lettuce, crushed tortilla chips, or a squeeze of extra lime juice can add more flavor and texture.
Conclusion
This Loaded Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl is a perfect balance of smoky, creamy, and fresh flavors in a satisfying meal. It’s easy to customize, great for meal prep, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun twist on classic street corn, this recipe delivers. Enjoy!
PrintLoaded Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Loaded Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl combines smoky, creamy, and tangy flavors with juicy seasoned chicken and fluffy rice. A hearty, meal-prep-friendly dish inspired by Mexican street corn, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Juice of 1 lime
For the Rice:
- 1 cup white or brown rice
- 2 cups water or chicken broth
- ½ tsp salt
For the Street Corn Topping:
- 2 ears corn (or 1½ cups frozen corn)
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream or Mexican crema
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Juice of ½ lime
- ¼ cup crumbled cotija cheese (or feta as a substitute)
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
Additional Toppings:
- 1 avocado, sliced
- ½ cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- Hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Rice
- Rinse the rice under cold water.
- In a pot, combine rice, water (or broth), and salt.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Fluff with a fork and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
- Mix chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Coat the chicken with olive oil and rub seasoning evenly over both sides.
- Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
Step 3: Make the Street Corn Topping
- Cut kernels off fresh corn or thaw frozen corn.
- Char corn in a skillet over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, sour cream, chili powder, smoked paprika, and lime juice.
- Stir in the charred corn, cotija cheese, and cilantro.
Step 4: Assemble the Bowl
- Divide rice among serving bowls.
- Top with sliced chicken, street corn mixture, black beans, cherry tomatoes, and avocado.
- Drizzle with hot sauce if desired.
- Garnish with extra cotija cheese and cilantro.
Notes
- Vegetarian: Swap chicken for grilled tofu or portobello mushrooms.
- Different Protein: Try shrimp, steak, or shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Spicy: Add diced jalapeños to the corn mixture.
- Low-Carb: Replace rice with cauliflower rice.
- Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free sour cream and omit cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: bowl meal
- Method: Stovetop & Grilling
- Cuisine: mexican inspired
Keywords: Mexican street corn bowl, chicken rice bowl, elote-inspired recipe, meal prep chicken bowls, easy rice bowl recipes