Description
A vibrant and flavorful Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl featuring tender marinated chicken thighs, grilled sweet corn, tangy lime dressing, and creamy Cotija cheese, served over fluffy cooked rice. This easy-to-make dish combines smoky, spicy, and fresh elements for a satisfying and customizable meal perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder or 2 minced garlic cloves
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Corn Salsa
- 1 cup sweet corn kernels (grilled if possible, frozen acceptable)
- ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
Crema Sauce
- 1 cup sour cream (save half for drizzling)
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- ½ cup crumbled Cotija cheese (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 tsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Assembly
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- 3 cups cooked rice
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine lime juice, avocado oil, chili powder, cumin powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken thighs and coat evenly. Let marinate for at least 20 minutes to develop flavor.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken thighs for about 6-8 minutes per side until fully cooked and nicely browned. Remove from heat and let rest.
- Prepare the Corn Salsa: If using fresh or frozen corn, grill or roast the kernels until slightly charred to enhance flavor. Mix the grilled corn with thinly sliced red onion in a bowl.
- Make the Crema Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, Cotija cheese, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy, reserving half of the sour cream for topping.
- Assemble the Bowl: Spoon cooked rice into bowls, top with sliced or chopped chicken thighs, then spoon the corn salsa on top. Drizzle with the reserved sour cream and crema sauce mixture.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle extra Cotija cheese and fresh cilantro over the bowls. Serve with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the dish to add brightness.
Notes
- Grilling the corn adds a smoky flavor, but roasting or sautéing it works well as alternatives.
- You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breast if preferred, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
- For extra freshness, add diced avocado or black beans as additional toppings.
- If Cotija cheese is unavailable, feta cheese is a suitable substitute.
- Adjust chili powder quantities to your preferred spice level.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 512 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 28.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43.5 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 22.6 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
