Description
Bright, smoky, and totally customizable — this Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl pairs juicy, seasoned chicken thighs with charred-sweet corn, tangy Cotija, and fluffy rice. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight supper or a casual get-together. Mix up toppings to suit the mood — avocado, black beans, or extra lime all work.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup sweet corn kernels (grilled if possible)
- 3 cups cooked rice
- ½ cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
- Lime wedges and a little lime juice, for brightness
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp chili powder (for the corn mix)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Quick marinade. In a bowl, whisk together lime juice, avocado oil, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken thighs and toss to coat. Chill for 15–30 minutes.
- Sear the chicken. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add a splash of oil, then cook the marinated thighs about 8–10 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove to a cutting board, let them rest briefly, then slice.
- Make the street-corn mix. Toss corn (charred if you can), red onion, sour cream, mayo, Cotija, and the extra teaspoon of chili powder in a bowl. Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lime to wake everything up.
- Warm the rice. Gently reheat your cooked rice — add a tablespoon of water if it’s dry, and fluff with a fork.
- Assemble. Divide rice into bowls, top with sliced chicken, then pile on the corn mixture. Finish with extra crumbled Cotija, cilantro if you like, and lime wedges at the side.
Notes
- Don’t crowd the pan when searing — give the chicken space to brown.
- Let the meat rest before slicing to keep it juicy.
- FYI: Grilling the corn adds smoky depth, but a hot skillet works great too.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 450g)
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 57g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 110mg