Description
These Street Corn Chicken Tacos combine juicy, spice-rubbed chicken with creamy, tangy Mexican street corn (elote) salad, all tucked into soft tortillas and topped with cotija, lime, and fresh herbs. It’s a fun, vibrant twist on classic tacos—perfect for weeknight dinners or taco night with flair.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1½ teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Juice of ½ lime
For the Street Corn Topping (Elote Style)
- 2 cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen & thawed)
- ⅓ cup mayo or Mexican crema
- ¼ cup cotija cheese, crumbled
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- Salt to taste
For Assembly
- 8 small flour or corn tortillas
- Extra cotija, cilantro, and lime wedges for garnish
- Optional: hot sauce, sliced jalapeños, avocado
Instructions
1. Marinate and Cook the Chicken
- Rub chicken with olive oil, spices, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
- Grill over medium-high heat or cook in a skillet for 5–6 minutes per side until cooked through and lightly charred.
- Let rest 5 minutes, then slice or chop into bite-size pieces.
2. Make the Street Corn Topping
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, lightly char the corn for 3–4 minutes until golden (optional, for more flavor).
- In a bowl, combine corn, mayo/crema, cotija, lime juice, chili powder, garlic, and cilantro. Mix well and season to taste.
3. Warm the Tortillas
- Toast tortillas on a dry skillet or over an open flame until warm and pliable.
4. Assemble the Tacos
- Fill each tortilla with a scoop of chicken and a generous spoonful of the street corn topping.
- Garnish with extra cheese, lime, cilantro, and optional toppings.
Notes
- Spicy Kick: Add jalapeños or drizzle with hot sauce
- Make it Creamier: Add sour cream or mashed avocado
- Use Leftovers: Great way to use grilled or rotisserie chicken
- Low-Carb Option: Serve as lettuce wraps or taco bowls
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Taco Recipes
- Method: Grilled / Assembled
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg