Tangy Street Corn Chicken Chili Recipe: A Fiesta In A Bowl!

A bowl of hearty street corn chicken chili that merges smoky southwestern flavors with creamy comfort.

Bold spices dance through tender chicken pieces, creating a meal that feels like a culinary adventure.

Mexico’s street food inspiration meets homestyle cooking in this vibrant dish.

Each spoonful promises a burst of zesty corn and rich, warming seasonings.

Peppers and sweet kernels add unexpected texture to this robust chili.

The combination transforms an ordinary dinner into something extraordinarily memorable.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this incredible recipe.

Why Street Corn Chicken Chili Is Packed With Flavor

• Burst with Vibrant Southwestern Flavors: This chili combines zesty jalapeños, smoky cumin, and bright lime juice, creating a taste explosion that transports your taste buds to the streets of Mexico.
• Enjoy Creamy Meets Crunchy Textures: The silky Greek yogurt-based chili contrasts beautifully with the charred, crispy street corn topping, delivering a delightful mouthfeel in every spoonful.
• Quick and Simple Weeknight Winner: Ready in under 45 minutes, this one-pot meal requires minimal prep and cooking skills, making it perfect for busy families craving a hearty, satisfying dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Customize Your Comfort: Easily adaptable with optional toppings like extra cheese, jalapeños, or a dollop of sour cream, this chili allows everyone to personalize their bowl and enjoy a meal that feels uniquely theirs.

What Goes In Street Corn Chicken Chili

• Chicken Breasts: Tender protein that adds substance and heartiness to the chili.
• White Beans: Creamy legume that provides extra protein and texture.

• Onion, Red Onion: Sweet and sharp base for building flavor depth.
• Jalapeno: Adds spicy kick and fresh pepper heat.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that enhances overall taste.
• Corn, Frozen Corn, Corn Kernels: Sweet vegetable that gives classic street corn character.
• Green Chiles: Mild pepper that contributes subtle southwestern flavor.

• Cilantro: Fresh herb with bright, citrusy notes.
• Cotija Cheese: Salty, crumbly Mexican cheese for authentic street corn style.
• Greek Yogurt: Creamy element that adds tangy richness.
• Olive Oil: Cooking fat for sautéing and building flavors.

• Cumin: Warm, earthy spice common in Mexican cuisine.
• Chili Powder: Robust seasoning blend with southwestern profile.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for balancing and highlighting other flavors.

• Chicken Broth: Savory liquid base for cooking and developing chili.
• Lime Juice: Bright, acidic element that adds freshness.

How To Make Street Corn Chicken Chili Step By Step

Step 1: Sauté Aromatics

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium flame. Add diced onions and minced jalapeños, cooking until they become soft and translucent. Toss in minced garlic, ground cumin, and chili powder, stirring until the kitchen fills with a fragrant aroma.

Step 2: Cook Chicken

Pour chicken broth into the pot and add whole chicken breasts. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce heat and let the chicken simmer gently. Cook until the chicken is fully done and tender. Remove the chicken and shred it using two forks, then return the shredded meat back to the pot.

Step 3: Build the Chili Base

• Frozen corn kernels
• Diced green chiles
• White beans

Simmer the mixture, allowing the flavors to blend and develop depth.

Step 4: Finish the Chili

• Greek yogurt
• Fresh chopped cilantro
• Lime juice

Season with salt and pepper, adjusting to your taste preferences.

Step 5: Create Street Corn Topping

• Minced jalapeño
• Diced red onion
• Chopped cilantro
• Crumbled cotija cheese
• Lime juice
• Chili powder

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the steaming chili into serving bowls. Top each portion with a generous scoop of the charred street corn mixture. Garnish with extra cilantro and lime wedges for a bright, fresh finish.

Helpful Tips For Street Corn Chicken Chili

• Customize Heat Levels: Adjust the spiciness by controlling the amount of jalapeño or using milder peppers for a family-friendly version.
• Protein Swap Trick: Replace chicken with ground turkey or shredded rotisserie chicken for quick and varied meal options.
• Batch and Freeze Strategy: This chili freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, making meal prep a breeze for busy weeknights.
• Dairy-Free Modification: Substitute Greek yogurt with coconut cream or cashew cream to create a lactose-free alternative that maintains creamy texture.
• Boost Nutrition Hack: Add extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or zucchini to increase the nutritional value and make the chili more substantial.

Best Way To Store Street Corn Chicken Chili

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftover chili to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the street corn topping separate to maintain its crisp texture.
• Freeze: Pour cooled chili into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Avoid freezing the street corn topping to prevent texture changes.
• Reheat on Stovetop: Warm chili in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth if the chili seems too thick. Heat until warmed through and steaming.
• Reheat in Microwave: Place chili in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Top with fresh street corn mixture just before serving to keep the crunch.

Top Pairings For Street Corn Chicken Chili

• Pair with Zesty Margarita: Complement the chili's bold flavors with a tangy margarita mixed with fresh lime juice and a touch of spicy jalapeño-infused tequila. The citrusy and slightly spicy cocktail will enhance the chili's complex taste profile.
• Match with Crisp Mexican Lager: Serve an ice-cold Mexican beer like Modelo Especial or Corona to balance the chili's heat and richness. The light, refreshing beer will cut through the creamy yogurt and provide a clean palate reset between bites.
• Serve with Creamy Avocado Salad: Create a cool side salad with diced avocados, cucumber, and a light lime-cilantro dressing. This fresh accompaniment will provide a smooth, cooling contrast to the warm and spicy chili.
• Complement with Cornbread Muffins: Bake simple jalapeño-cheddar cornbread muffins that echo the street corn theme and provide a perfect textural companion to the hearty chili. The slightly sweet and crumbly muffins will soak up the delicious chili broth.

Ways To Change Up Street Corn Chicken Chili

• Spicy Southwest Chicken Chili: Replace white beans with black beans, add diced bell peppers, and incorporate smoked paprika for a deeper, more intense southwestern flavor profile.
• Creamy Green Chile Chicken Chili: Increase Greek yogurt quantity, swap chicken broth with green enchilada sauce, and mix in roasted green chiles for a richer, creamier texture.
• Roasted Vegetable Chicken Chili: Grill zucchini, poblano peppers, and additional corn before adding to the chili, enhancing the smoky vegetable dimensions and creating a more complex taste experience.
• Coconut Lime Chicken Chili: Substitute half the chicken broth with coconut milk, add lemongrass, and sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top for a tropical-inspired variation that brings bright, fresh notes to the traditional recipe.

FAQs For Street Corn Chicken Chili

• What makes this chili different from traditional chili recipes?

This street corn chicken chili combines classic chili flavors with Mexican street corn elements, creating a unique twist that adds bright, charred corn and tangy cotija cheese for an exciting flavor profile.

• Is this chili spicy?

The chili has a mild to moderate heat level from jalapeños and chili powder. You can easily adjust the spiciness by removing jalapeño seeds or reducing the amount of chili powder to suit your taste preferences.

• Can I make this chili ahead of time?

Absolutely! This chili tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop. You can prepare it in advance and reheat it, making it perfect for meal prep or busy weeknights.

• Do I need any special cooking skills to make this recipe?

Not at all! This recipe is beginner-friendly and requires basic cooking techniques like sautéing, simmering, and shredding chicken. Even novice cooks can successfully create this delicious chili.

Street Corn Chicken Chili Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Mexican street corn chicken chili brings bold, smoky flavors dancing across your palate with creamy corn and tender chicken. Hearty spices and charred corn kernels create a comforting bowl that celebrates zesty southwestern cuisine you can’t resist.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• ¼ cup crumbled cotija cheese

Vegetables and Corn:

• 4 cups frozen corn kernels
• 2 cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
• 1 large white onion, diced
• ¼ cup diced red onion
• 2 jalapenos, minced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles
• 1 (15-ounce) can white beans, drained and rinsed

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ¼ teaspoon chili powder

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Initiate the chili preparation by sautéing diced onions and minced jalapenos in olive oil over medium heat until they become translucent and tender, releasing their aromatic flavors.
2. Incorporate minced garlic, ground cumin, and chili powder into the softened vegetables, allowing the spices to bloom and intensify their fragrance for approximately one minute.
3. Pour chicken broth into the pot and gently submerge whole chicken breasts, bringing the liquid to a rolling boil before reducing heat to a gentle simmer.
4. Cook the chicken until it reaches perfect tenderness, approximately 15-20 minutes, then carefully extract the breasts and shred them using two forks.
5. Return the shredded chicken to the pot and introduce frozen corn, diced green chiles, and white beans, allowing the ingredients to meld together during a 10-minute simmering process.
6. Reduce the heat to low and fold in Greek yogurt, freshly chopped cilantro, and zesty lime juice, creating a creamy and vibrant base.
7. Season the chili with salt and pepper, adjusting the flavors to personal preference.
8. For the street corn topping, heat the remaining olive oil in a skillet and roast corn kernels until they develop a delightful char and slight caramelization.
9. Transfer the charred corn to a mixing bowl and combine with minced jalapeno, diced red onion, additional cilantro, crumbled cotija cheese, lime juice, and a sprinkle of chili powder.
10. Serve the chili in individual bowls, generously crowning each portion with the robust street corn mixture.
11. Optional: Garnish with extra cilantro sprigs and lime wedges for a fresh, bright finish.

Notes

• Swap Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt for a dairy-free version that keeps the creamy texture and tangy flavor profile.
• Control spice levels by removing jalapeno seeds or using milder peppers like Anaheim for those with sensitive palates.
• Elevate protein options by substituting chicken with shredded turkey or plant-based alternatives like jackfruit for vegetarian guests.
• Enhance meal prep efficiency by using rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked shredded chicken to reduce overall cooking time.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg