Mexican Street Corn Chicken Tacos are a must-try dish for taco lovers craving a blend of smoky, spicy, and tangy flavors. These tacos feature juicy, spice-rubbed chicken thighs cooked to perfection and paired with a creamy sriracha mayo and vibrant street corn topping. The street corn mix, loaded with zesty lime, fresh cilantro, and pickled jalapeños, brings an authentic Mexican flair to this crowd-pleasing recipe.
Perfect for Taco Tuesday, family dinners, or entertaining, these tacos are easy to make and fully customizable. Serve them with warm corn tortillas, extra street corn, and your favorite sides for a delicious meal bursting with bold flavors and irresistible textures.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 ½ lbs chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- ½ tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
Street Corn
- 2 cups frozen corn
- ½ tablespoon dairy-free butter
- 10-12 pickled jalapeño slices, diced
- ¼ cup green onions, diced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 ½ tablespoons sugar
Sriracha Mayo
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- ½ cup avocado mayonnaise
For Serving
- Corn tortillas
- Optional: Cheese or extra street corn topping
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken
- In a medium bowl, mix the dry seasonings with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to form a paste.
- Rub the paste evenly over the chicken thighs. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight in the refrigerator.
Make the Street Corn Mixture
3. Heat the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the frozen corn and sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until the corn is soft and the sugar dissolves.
4. Remove the skillet from heat. In a bowl, mix the cooked corn with green onions, cilantro, lime juice, and diced jalapeños. Season with sea salt to taste and set aside.
Cook the Chicken
5. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated chicken, smooth side down.
6. Cook for 6-10 minutes per side, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before dicing into ¼-inch pieces.
Prepare the Sriracha Mayo
7. In a small bowl, mix sriracha, lime juice, and avocado mayonnaise until smooth.
Warm the Tortillas
8. Heat tortillas in a dry pan over medium-high heat for about 45 seconds per side or wrap them in a moist paper towel and microwave until warm. Keep tortillas warm in foil or a tortilla warmer.
Assemble the Tacos
9. Spread a layer of sriracha mayo on each tortilla, followed by the street corn mixture. Add diced chicken and garnish with additional street corn. For extra flavor, top with cheese or omit for a lighter option.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bold Flavors: A perfect combination of smoky, spicy, and tangy flavors.
- Easy to Make: Simple steps and ready in under an hour.
- Customizable: Adjust the spice level or add your favorite toppings.
Tips
- Use fresh corn when in season for even more flavor.
- Resting the chicken ensures it stays juicy when diced.
- Double the street corn recipe to use as a side dish!
Variations and Substitutions
- Substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts or shrimp.
- For a vegetarian option, replace chicken with roasted sweet potatoes or black beans.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a lighter sriracha sauce.
FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Marinate the chicken and prepare the street corn up to 24 hours in advance. Assemble the tacos just before serving.
What if I don’t have sriracha?
Swap it for your favorite hot sauce or skip it for a milder flavor.
Serving
Serve these tacos with sides like Mexican rice, refried beans, or a refreshing mango salsa. Pair with a cold drink like a margarita or agua fresca for a full meal experience.
Suggestions
- Turn leftovers into a taco bowl by serving the chicken and street corn over rice.
- Add a drizzle of queso or cotija cheese for an authentic touch.
- Make it party-ready by setting up a taco bar with toppings for guests to customize.
Enjoy these vibrant and flavorful tacos any night of the week!
Mexican Street Corn Chicken Tacos
4
servings5
minutes10
minutesIngredients
Chicken
1 ½ lbs chicken thighs
1 tablespoon chili powder
½ tablespoon lime juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
¾ teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons sea salt
Street Corn
2 cups frozen corn
½ tablespoon dairy-free butter
10-12 pickled jalapeño slices, diced
¼ cup green onions, diced
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
¼ cup cilantro, chopped
1 ½ tablespoons sugar
Sriracha Mayo
1 tablespoon sriracha
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
½ cup avocado mayonnaise
For Serving
Corn tortillas
Optional: Cheese or extra street corn topping
Directions
- Prepare the Chicken
- In a medium bowl, mix the dry seasonings with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to form a paste.
- Rub the paste evenly over the chicken thighs. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight in the refrigerator.
- Make the Street Corn Mixture
- Heat the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the frozen corn and sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until the corn is soft and the sugar dissolves.
- Remove the skillet from heat. In a bowl, mix the cooked corn with green onions, cilantro, lime juice, and diced jalapeños. Season with sea salt to taste and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated chicken, smooth side down.
- Cook for 6-10 minutes per side, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before dicing into ¼-inch pieces.
- Prepare the Sriracha Mayo
- In a small bowl, mix sriracha, lime juice, and avocado mayonnaise until smooth.
- Warm the Tortillas
- Heat tortillas in a dry pan over medium-high heat for about 45 seconds per side or wrap them in a moist paper towel and microwave until warm. Keep tortillas warm in foil or a tortilla warmer.
- Assemble the Tacos
- Spread a layer of sriracha mayo on each tortilla, followed by the street corn mixture. Add diced chicken and garnish with additional street corn. For extra flavor, top with cheese or omit for a lighter option.
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