Mexican Street Corn Chicken Tacos are a fusion of smoky, spiced chicken and vibrant street corn salad, all tucked into soft tortillas. The combination of chipotle-marinated chicken, creamy chipotle mayo, and roasted corn salad with lime, cilantro, and cotija cheese makes for a mouthwatering taco experience. These tacos are packed with flavor and are perfect for a casual dinner or Taco Tuesday!
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
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1 ½ pounds boneless chicken (breasts, tenders, or thighs)
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2 tablespoons lime juice
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2 tablespoons oil (olive, vegetable, or avocado oil)
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2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder (or more to taste)
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1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
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1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
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1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
For the Street Corn:
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1 ½ cups roasted corn
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½ cup chopped scallions
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¼ cup chopped cilantro
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¼ cup crumbled cotija cheese
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1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
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1 tablespoon lime juice
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Flour or corn tortillas
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1 avocado, sliced
For the Sauce:
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¼ cup sour cream
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¼ cup mayo
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1 tablespoon lime juice
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1-2 tablespoons adobo sauce (from chipotle peppers in adobo sauce)
Directions
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Prepare the Chicken:
In a bowl, mix lime juice, oil, chipotle chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, and salt. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes (up to 8 hours in the fridge). -
Cook the Chicken:
Lightly spray a nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Cook the chicken over medium-high heat for 6-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until cooked through. -
Prepare the Street Corn:
In a bowl, combine the roasted corn, scallions, cilantro, cotija cheese, jalapeno, and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper. Mix and set aside. -
Make the Sauce:
In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayo, lime juice, and adobo sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional adobo sauce if needed. -
Assemble the Tacos:
Warm the tortillas. Add a layer of cooked chicken, a slice of avocado, a generous scoop of the street corn salad, and drizzle with chipotle sauce. Serve with lime wedges if desired.
Nutrients (per serving, 1 taco with chicken and toppings)
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Calories: ~320 kcal
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Total Fat: ~18g
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Saturated Fat: ~5g
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Cholesterol: ~40mg
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Sodium: ~360mg
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Carbohydrates: ~25g
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Sugar: ~2g
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Fiber: ~5g
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Protein: ~15g
A Flavorful Chipotle-Marinated Chicken
The base of these tacos starts with the chipotle-marinated chicken, which is what truly sets them apart. The marinade is made up of lime juice, oil, chipotle chili powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, and kosher salt. These ingredients come together to create a smoky, tangy, and mildly spicy flavor profile that coats the chicken beautifully.
The chipotle chili powder provides a rich smokiness, while the lime juice brightens the flavor and adds a bit of tang. The garlic powder and cumin round out the flavor, giving the chicken a depth that pairs perfectly with the rest of the taco fillings.
Allowing the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes—or up to 8 hours in the fridge—lets the spices penetrate the meat, ensuring every bite is bursting with flavor. Once marinated, the chicken is cooked in a nonstick skillet, resulting in a juicy, tender texture that forms the perfect base for these tacos.
Street Corn Salad: A Zesty and Creamy Addition
No street corn taco would be complete without a robust and flavorful street corn salad. This version includes roasted corn, scallions, cilantro, cotija cheese, and jalapeno, all tossed together with a squeeze of lime juice. The roasted corn adds a natural sweetness, and the scallions and cilantro provide a fresh, aromatic crunch. The cotija cheese brings a salty, creamy element that binds the salad together, while the jalapeno gives it a mild heat.
This corn salad provides the perfect contrast to the smoky chicken, and its freshness balances out the richness of the other ingredients. The touch of lime juice adds an extra zing, making each bite a refreshing burst of flavor. It’s a great way to bring some vibrancy to the tacos, ensuring that every bite is full of diverse, layered flavors.
Creamy Chipotle Sauce: The Finishing Touch
To take these tacos to the next level, the creamy chipotle sauce is an absolute must. Made from sour cream, mayo, lime juice, and adobo sauce (the sauce from chipotle peppers in adobo sauce), this sauce adds the perfect combination of creaminess, tang, and spice. The adobo sauce infuses the sauce with a smoky, tangy flavor that enhances the chipotle notes from the chicken, while the sour cream and mayo provide a rich, smooth texture.
This sauce is the perfect drizzle over the tacos, helping to marry all the flavors together while providing a creamy contrast to the spiced chicken and crunchy corn salad. The sauce can be adjusted to your desired spice level by adding more or less adobo sauce, so feel free to make it as mild or fiery as you prefer.
Assembling the Tacos
Once all your components are ready, it’s time to assemble the tacos. Start by warming your flour or corn tortillas. Then, layer the cooked chipotle chicken on the tortilla, followed by a few slices of avocado for added creaminess. Next, generously scoop the street corn salad onto the chicken. Finally, drizzle the chipotle sauce over the top for that final touch of flavor.
For an extra pop of color and flavor, you can also serve the tacos with lime wedges on the side, allowing everyone to squeeze fresh lime juice over their tacos to their taste.
A Balanced and Satisfying Meal
These tacos are the perfect balance of smoky, spicy, creamy, and fresh. The chipotle-marinated chicken is juicy and tender, while the street corn salad adds a sweet, crunchy, and tangy element that complements the chicken perfectly. The creamy chipotle sauce ties everything together, bringing richness and a touch of heat.
Each taco is a satisfying meal on its own, packed with protein from the chicken, fiber from the corn and avocado, and healthy fats from the avocado and mayo. With approximately 320 calories per taco, these tacos are a relatively light but filling meal, perfect for a casual dinner or a fun taco night.
Serving Suggestions
Mexican Street Corn Chicken Tacos are great on their own, but they can also be served with a variety of sides to complete the meal. Consider pairing them with Mexican rice, refried beans, or a simple green salad for a full, satisfying dinner. If you like a bit more heat, serve with some sliced jalapenos or salsa on the side for an extra kick.
Conclusion: A Flavorful Taco Experience
In conclusion, Mexican Street Corn Chicken Tacos are a fusion of bold flavors and textures that will elevate your taco night. From the smoky chipotle-marinated chicken to the zesty and creamy street corn salad and the rich chipotle sauce, each element of this taco is designed to deliver an unforgettable taste experience. These tacos are not only packed with flavor, but they are also customizable to suit your spice preferences. Whether you’re making them for a casual dinner or a weekend BBQ, these tacos are sure to become a crowd favorite!