Street Corn Chicken and Rice Bowls (Printable Version)

Citrus-marinated chicken, charred corn, and zesty crema over fluffy rice for a vibrant Mexican-inspired bowl.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken Marinade

01 - 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
05 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
10 - 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
11 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
12 - 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Rice

13 - 1.5 cups long-grain white rice
14 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
15 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

→ Charred Corn

16 - 3 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
17 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
18 - 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
19 - 0.5 tablespoon fresh lime juice
20 - 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Street Corn Crema

21 - 0.5 cup sour cream
22 - 0.25 cup mayonnaise
23 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
24 - 0.5 teaspoon chili powder
25 - 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder
26 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Assembly and Garnish

27 - 4 ounces cotija cheese, crumbled
28 - 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
29 - Lime wedges for serving
30 - Sliced jalapeños or avocado, optional

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, orange juice, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
02 - Add chicken thighs to the marinade, toss to coat thoroughly, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor.
03 - Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, add rice, and stir for 1 minute. Pour in chicken broth, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes. Remove from heat, let rest for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
04 - Heat a cast-iron skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add corn kernels and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Season with chili powder and salt, drizzle with lime juice, and fold in fresh cilantro. Keep warm on a plate.
05 - Preheat a grill or skillet to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and cook 5 to 6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a cutting board, rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
06 - In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and evenly incorporated. Adjust seasoning to taste.
07 - Divide fluffy rice evenly among four serving bowls. Top each with grilled chicken slices and charred corn. Drizzle generously with street corn crema, sprinkle with crumbled cotija cheese and fresh cilantro. Serve immediately with lime wedges and optional sliced jalapeños or avocado.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It feels like a full restaurant meal but comes together in a little over an hour using one pan for most of the work.
  • Every bite gives you something different: tangy crema, salty cheese, sweet corn, smoky chicken, all balanced by fluffy rice.
02 -
  • Do not skip resting the chicken after grilling, those five minutes keep every slice moist instead of dry.
  • If your corn is not charring, your pan is not hot enough, crank the heat and give it time to develop those dark, blistered spots.
03 -
  • Char the corn in batches if your skillet is crowded, overcrowding steams the kernels instead of blistering them.
  • Zest one of the limes before juicing and stir half into the rice and half into the crema for an extra layer of bright citrus flavor.
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