If you’re looking for a quick, flavor-packed meal that brings bold street food vibes to your dinner table, this Easy Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl is calling your name! Creamy, smoky, and just the right amount of spicy, it’s the kind of dish that feels indulgent but comes together in no time. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual meal prep, this bowl is a satisfying mix of juicy chicken, seasoned rice, and sweet corn topped with a zesty crema and a sprinkle of cotija.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Easy Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl is everything you want in a weeknight dinner—simple, satisfying, and bursting with flavor. It takes under 30 minutes to make, uses pantry staples, and brings together the irresistible combo of creamy corn, seasoned chicken, and fluffy rice in one bowl. Whether you’re feeding your family or prepping meals for the week, it’s easy to customize with your favorite toppings. Bonus: it’s kid-approved, Insta-worthy, and packed with protein.
Ingredients
This bowl comes together with simple ingredients you might already have in your kitchen. Here’s what you’ll need to make this Easy Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl:
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Corn Mixture:
- 1 1/2 cups frozen or canned corn (drained)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese (or feta as a sub)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
For the Bowl:
- 2 cups cooked rice (white, brown, or Mexican-style)
- Extra lime wedges for serving
- Optional: sliced avocado, pickled red onions, hot sauce
Instructions
This recipe is super straightforward—just season, cook, mix, and assemble. Here’s how to make your Easy Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl step by step:
1. Cook the Chicken
- Pat the chicken dry and rub with olive oil.
- Season with chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken for 5–6 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and golden.
- Remove from the pan, let it rest for a few minutes, then slice or dice.
2. Make the Street Corn Mix
- In a bowl, mix together the corn, mayo, sour cream, chili powder, lime juice, cotija cheese, and chopped cilantro.
- Stir well to combine. Adjust seasoning to taste.
3. Assemble the Bowls
- Divide cooked rice among bowls.
- Top with sliced chicken and generous spoonfuls of the street corn mixture.
- Add your favorite extras like avocado slices, pickled onions, or a drizzle of hot sauce.
4. Finish and Serve
- Squeeze fresh lime over the top and sprinkle with extra cilantro or cotija if desired. Dig in and enjoy!
Servings and Timing
This recipe is perfect for feeding a hungry crew or meal prepping for the week.
- Servings: Makes 4 generous rice bowls
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
- Total Time: About 30 minutes
Whether you’re throwing this together after a long day or making a batch ahead, it comes together fast without skimping on flavor. Bonus: it’s easy to double if you’re serving a crowd!
Tips and Variations
This Easy Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl is super flexible—here’s how to make it your own:
Substitutions:
- No cotija? Use feta or even shredded parmesan for a salty bite.
- No sour cream? Greek yogurt works just as well.
- No fresh lime? Bottled lime juice is a fine shortcut.
Add-Ins:
- Add black beans or roasted bell peppers for extra fiber and color.
- Toss in some jalapeños if you like heat!
- A sprinkle of Tajín adds a citrusy chili kick on top.
Make it vegetarian:
- Swap the chicken for grilled tofu or sautéed mushrooms—still delicious!
Low-carb version:
- Serve over cauliflower rice instead of regular rice.
Storage
Got leftovers? No problem! This bowl stores beautifully and makes for an easy next-day lunch.
- Fridge: Store each component (chicken, rice, and corn mixture) separately in airtight containers. They’ll keep well for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Warm the chicken and rice in the microwave, then top with the cold corn mixture for contrast—or heat it all up if you prefer everything warm.
- Meal Prep Tip: Assemble bowls in containers for grab-and-go meals, just leave off avocado and lime until serving to keep things fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use rotisserie chicken instead?
Absolutely! Shred up some rotisserie chicken for an even faster version of this bowl.
2. Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes! Use vegan mayo and skip the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
3. What’s the best rice to use?
Any rice works! White, brown, jasmine, or even microwaveable rice pouches if you’re short on time.
4. Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, as long as all your ingredients (especially seasonings and cheese) are certified gluten-free.
5. Can I grill the chicken instead?
Definitely—grilled chicken adds amazing smoky flavor. Just cook until the internal temp hits 165°F.
6. Can I use canned corn?
Yes! Just drain it well and pat dry if needed so the crema isn’t watery.
7. How spicy is this dish?
It’s mild to medium. To make it spicier, add jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce.
Conclusion
There you have it—your new favorite weeknight dinner: the Easy Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl! It’s bold, creamy, a little zesty, and totally customizable. Whether you’re cooking for the family or meal-prepping lunches for the week, this bowl delivers on flavor and convenience.
Print
Easy Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl
If you’re looking for a quick, flavor-packed meal that brings bold street food vibes to your dinner table, this Easy Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl is calling your name! Creamy, smoky, and just the right amount of spicy, it’s the kind of dish that feels indulgent but comes together in no time.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 generous rice bowls 1x
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 1/2 cups frozen or canned corn (drained)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese (or feta)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 cups cooked rice (white, brown, or Mexican-style)
- Optional: sliced avocado, pickled red onions, hot sauce
- Extra lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry and rub with olive oil.
- Season with chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken for 5–6 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and golden.
- Remove from the pan, let it rest for a few minutes, then slice or dice.
- In a bowl, mix together the corn, mayo, sour cream, chili powder, lime juice, cotija cheese, and chopped cilantro.
- Stir well to combine and adjust seasoning to taste.
- Divide cooked rice among bowls.
- Top with sliced chicken and generous spoonfuls of the street corn mixture.
- Add extras like avocado slices, pickled onions, or hot sauce.
- Squeeze fresh lime over the top and sprinkle with extra cilantro or cotija if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
Customize it your way—use feta instead of cotija, Greek yogurt for sour cream, or swap in cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. Keep each component stored separately in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: street corn, chicken rice bowl, easy dinner, meal prep, cotija, Mexican bowl