Street Corn Chicken and Rice (Printable)

Citrus-marinated chicken with charred corn, fluffy rice, and tangy crema inspired by Mexican street food flavors.

# What You’ll Use:

→ 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 lime, juiced
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 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

# How-To:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Every component can be prepped ahead, so dinner comes together in minutes on even the busiest nights.
  • The smoky char on the corn and the creamy, tangy drizzle make every bite taste like summer, no matter the season.
02 -
  • Do not skip rinsing the rice, or you will end up with a gummy, sticky mess that ruins the whole bowl.
  • Let the corn sit undisturbed in the hot pan for at least a minute before stirring, that is when the char really develops.
03 -
  • Marinate the chicken the night before so all you have to do is grill it when you get home from work.
  • Use a cast-iron skillet for the corn, it holds heat better than anything else and gives you those perfect charred spots every time.
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