Sam There’s something incredibly satisfying about building the perfect bowl—especially when it’s bursting with the flavors of creamy elote, juicy grilled chicken, and warm seasoned rice. This Easy Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl has become my go-to recipe when I want a dinner that feels fun, fast, and loaded with bold flavor. It’s inspired by everything I love about Mexican street food, wrapped up in a cozy, one-bowl wonder.
The first time I made it, I wasn’t planning anything fancy—I just had a craving for street corn and some grilled chicken left over from the night before. But as soon as I took that first bite, I knew this was going to be one of those repeat-worthy meals. It checks every box for me: it’s creamy and tangy, filling but not heavy, and the kind of meal that gets scraped clean without any prompting. Whether I’m serving it fresh for dinner or pulling it out of the fridge for a quick lunch, this bowl always delivers.
I love how flexible it is, too. Swap the rice for cauliflower rice to go low carb, use Greek yogurt to lighten the sauce, or double the corn for an even sweeter bite. This bowl is a celebration of contrasts—soft rice, crunchy onion, juicy chicken, and that velvety elote topping—and every time I serve it, it brings comfort and excitement to the table.
If you love hearty bowls that don’t skimp on flavor, try my Cheddar and Bacon Turkey Melt or this Garlic Parmesan Roasted Broccoli for the perfect side. You can also check out our Easy Dinner Ideas for more weeknight winners.
Easy Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl – Creamy, Zesty, and Meal Prep-Ready
Ingredients
For the Bowl:
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (grilled or pan-seared)
- 2 cups cooked brown or white rice
- 1½ cups corn kernels grilled, canned, or frozen
- ¼ cup chopped red onion
- 1 avocado sliced
- Fresh cilantro optional
- Lime wedges for serving
For the Street Corn Sauce:
- ¼ cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup crumbled cotija cheese or feta
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook the ChickenSeason chicken with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and a pinch of paprika. Grill or pan-sear over medium-high heat until cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Slice thin.
- Step 2: Make the RicePrepare rice according to package instructions. Fluff and set aside.
- Step 3: Mix the Street Corn SauceIn a bowl, combine mayo or yogurt, sour cream, lime juice, garlic, chili powder, and cotija. Stir in the corn.
- Step 4: Assemble the BowlsLayer rice, sliced chicken, street corn mixture, red onion, avocado, and cilantro. Squeeze fresh lime over the top.
Notes
Secret Tips for the Best Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl
- Char Your Corn the Right Way: Use a dry cast iron skillet or open flame to slightly char the corn kernels. This mimics the smoky flavor of authentic street corn and adds irresistible depth.
- Use Chicken Thighs for Juicier Texture: While breasts are lean and clean, boneless skinless chicken thighs deliver more flavor and stay tender even if reheated multiple times.
- Infuse Your Rice with Garlic & Lime: Before cooking the rice, sauté minced garlic in a bit of oil, then add your rice and cook as usual. Finish with a squeeze of lime to echo the elote sauce.
- Upgrade with Smoked Paprika: A small dash of smoked paprika in both the chicken seasoning and street corn sauce brings a rich, smoky complexity that elevates the dish without adding heat.
- Let the Sauce Chill First: After mixing the street corn sauce, chill it for 15–20 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors meld and gives it that restaurant-level creaminess.
- Layer Cheese Twice: For extra cheesy goodness, sprinkle a little cotija on the rice before adding the chicken and then again over the top with the sauce.
- Make It a Power Bowl: Add black beans, shredded cabbage, or quinoa to boost fiber and keep you full longer. It’s an easy way to turn this into a protein-packed super bowl.
Recipe Overview
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Course: Dinner
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Nutritional Snapshot (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~540
- Protein: 33g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 5g
Explore more yummy recipes in our High-Protein Dinner, Easy Dinner Ideas, and Gluten-Free Sides categories.
Budget Breakdown
- Boneless chicken breasts (2): ~$5.00
- Corn (frozen or canned): ~$1.50
- Rice: ~$1.00
- Cotija cheese: ~$2.50
- Greek yogurt: ~$1.00
- Avocado, red onion, lime, seasonings: ~$4.00
Total Cost: ~$15.00
Cost Per Serving: ~$3.75
Behind the Recipe
This bowl started as a happy accident. I had leftover grilled chicken, a can of corn, and a serious craving for elote. A few quick tosses in a skillet, a creamy street corn sauce, and a squeeze of lime—and this Mexican street corn chicken rice bowl was born. Now it’s a regular in our rotation. It’s especially great when I need a recipe I can prep ahead for a busy week or whip up on a low-effort Sunday.
What makes this bowl truly special is how easy it is to tweak. Use brown rice or white, canned corn or grilled fresh corn—it’s flexible, forgiving, and always delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl
- Bold, creamy, tangy, and a little spicy
- Uses pantry staples and easy-to-find ingredients
- Packs over 30g of protein per bowl
- Naturally gluten-free with no special swaps
- Perfect for meal prep or family dinners
- Kid-friendly and completely customizable
Perfect For
- Weeknight dinners when time is tight
- Sunday meal prep that keeps all week
- High-protein, balanced lunches
- Tex-Mex cravings without takeout
- Serving up flavor-packed bowls at casual gatherings
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Bowl:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (grilled or pan-seared)
- 2 cups cooked brown or white rice
- 1½ cups corn kernels (grilled, canned, or frozen)
- ¼ cup chopped red onion
- 1 avocado, sliced
- Fresh cilantro (optional)
- Lime wedges, for serving
For the Street Corn Sauce:
- ¼ cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup crumbled cotija cheese (or feta)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
Ingredient Highlights
- Chicken: Lean, high-protein, and easy to cook or prep ahead. Healthline outlines why grilled chicken is a heart-healthy protein option.
- Corn: Adds natural sweetness and fiber. Grilled corn adds smokiness.
- Cotija Cheese: Salty and crumbly—perfect for elote-style flavor. USDA provides full nutritional profiles.
- Greek Yogurt: Offers creaminess with added protein.
- Chili Powder + Lime Juice: Create the zingy, tangy base for classic street corn taste.
How to Make Grilled Street Corn Chicken Bowls
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
Season chicken with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and a pinch of paprika. Grill or pan-sear over medium-high heat until cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Slice thin.
Step 2: Make the Rice
Prepare rice according to package instructions. Fluff and set aside.
Step 3: Mix the Street Corn Sauce
In a bowl, combine mayo or yogurt, sour cream, lime juice, garlic, chili powder, and cotija. Stir in the corn.
Step 4: Assemble the Bowls
Layer rice, sliced chicken, street corn mixture, red onion, avocado, and cilantro. Squeeze fresh lime over the top.
Pro Tips for Success
- Char your corn in a hot skillet or under the broiler for extra depth.
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time on busy nights.
- Keep the sauce separate if meal prepping to prevent sogginess.
- Add spice with jalapeños or hot sauce.
Easy Variations
- Low Carb: Use cauliflower rice.
- Vegetarian: Swap chicken for black beans or tofu.
- Extra Veggies: Add sautéed bell peppers or roasted zucchini.
- Creamier Version: Use more Greek yogurt in the sauce.
- Chipotle-Style Bowl: Add shredded lettuce and fresh salsa.
Explore how different cheese choices impact flavor and texture with this guide from ScienceDirect.
Storage & Reheat Tips
- Fridge: Store all components separately in airtight containers for 3–4 days.
- Freezer: Chicken and rice freeze well; leave out fresh toppings.
- Reheat: Microwave with a damp towel or warm in a skillet.
- Make-Ahead: Prep ingredients on Sunday and assemble daily.
🍽️ Make It a Meal
Serve this bowl with:
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s a hearty rice bowl topped with grilled chicken, creamy corn sauce (elote-style), red onion, avocado, and lime.
Use brown rice, lean grilled chicken, and swap the mayo for plain Greek yogurt. This lowers the fat content while boosting protein.
Yes! Just drain and optionally char it for that grilled flavor. Canned or frozen corn are both great options when fresh corn isn’t available.
Cotija is traditional, but feta works too. Both are salty, tangy, and crumble beautifully. Learn more at the USDA.
Definitely. It’s high in protein, low in fat, and supports muscle and heart health. Read more at Healthline.
Cook your chicken, rice, and sauce ahead of time. Store the sauce separately and assemble just before eating to keep everything fresh.
Yes—use dairy-free yogurt and skip the cheese or try a plant-based feta for that crumbly texture.
It can be! Just make sure your ingredients (especially yogurt and cheese) are certified gluten-free and your rice is unseasoned.
Try shrimp, grilled steak, or a plant-based meat alternative for a flavorful variation.
Absolutely. Use cauliflower rice in place of white or brown rice and opt for light Greek yogurt in the sauce to cut carbs.
Yes, rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut. It saves time and still offers great flavor in your rice bowl.
Approximately 540 calories per serving, depending on your toppings and portion size.
Some great options include sliced jalapeños, shredded lettuce, crushed tortilla chips, extra cotija cheese, or diced tomatoes.
You can enjoy it either way! Many people love it warm, but it’s equally delicious cold—perfect for meal prep lunches.
Yes! Wrap it all up in a large tortilla for a street corn chicken burrito that travels well.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl is more than just a dinner—it’s a weeknight hero, a flavor-packed lunch, and a comfort dish that’s as flexible as it is delicious. It brings together simple, wholesome ingredients and elevates them into something that feels fun, satisfying, and just a little indulgent.
I come back to this recipe again and again because it never lets me down. Whether I’m meal prepping for the week ahead or whipping up a quick dinner after a long day, this bowl checks all the boxes: quick, customizable, protein-rich, and completely craveable. It’s one of those dishes that you don’t just eat—you remember.
For more cozy meals in a bowl, explore our High-Protein Dinner ideas or browse through Easy Dinner Ideas to keep your weeknights stress-free.
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📌 Pin This Recipe: Easy Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl
Smoky grilled chicken, creamy elote-style corn, and fluffy rice come together in a bold, crave-worthy bowl that’s perfect for dinner or meal prep!
