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Effortless Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl

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Craving something hearty, creamy, and bursting with flavor but still quick to throw together? This Effortless Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl checks every box. It’s a colorful combination of tender grilled chicken bites, buttery sweet corn, fluffy rice, a drizzle of zesty creamy sauce, and fresh lime wedges to brighten every bite.

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Effortless Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl

Think of this bowl as the perfect fusion of street food boldness and weeknight dinner simplicity. It packs protein, carbs, and veggies into one dish—great for meal prep or a satisfying lunch that’ll keep you full and fueled. Plus, it’s endlessly customizable based on what you have on hand.


What Kind of Chicken Works Best?

For this bowl, boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs are ideal. Chicken thighs bring a juicier texture and richer flavor, while breasts are leaner and cook up faster. The key is marinating them in spices like smoked paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder for that street corn-style smoky vibe. Grilling or pan-searing helps develop those golden crispy edges that make the bowl extra satisfying.


Ingredients for the Effortless Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl

  • Chicken: The protein-packed star of this bowl. Choose breasts or thighs based on your texture preference.
  • Rice: White rice or jasmine rice provides a soft, neutral base that absorbs all the juices and sauces.
  • Corn: Sweet corn gives crunch and color, echoing Mexican street corn flavors.
  • Creamy sauce: A blend of sour cream, mayo, lime juice, and spices brings the tangy topping to life.
  • Fresh cilantro: A sprinkle of chopped cilantro adds brightness and balance.
  • Lime wedges: Essential for squeezing over the top to elevate all the flavors.

How To Make the Effortless Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl

Step 1: Marinate and Cook the Chicken

In a bowl, mix bite-sized chicken pieces with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Let it marinate for at least 20 minutes. Then grill or sear in a skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through and nicely charred.

Step 2: Cook the Rice

While the chicken cooks, prepare your rice according to package instructions. Fluff with a fork and season with a pinch of salt.

Step 3: Prep the Corn

Use canned, frozen, or fresh corn kernels. If you want extra flavor, char the corn in a skillet with a bit of butter until slightly golden.

Step 4: Mix the Creamy Sauce

Whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, garlic powder, and a dash of hot sauce if desired. The sauce should be smooth and pourable.

Step 5: Assemble the Bowl

Layer your cooked rice into a bowl, top with the grilled chicken, corn, and a generous drizzle of the creamy sauce. Finish with chopped cilantro and fresh lime wedges.


Serving and Storing the Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl

This bowl is best served warm, with the creamy sauce added just before eating. It also makes a great meal prep option—store components separately and assemble when ready to eat. The chicken and rice can be refrigerated for up to 4 days, and the sauce keeps well for a week.


What to Serve With Effortless Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl?

Roasted Parmesan Green Beans

Their crisp texture and nutty flavor balance the bowl’s creaminess.

Mexican Black Beans

Add another layer of protein and heartiness.

Churro Bites or Cinnamon Chips

Perfect sweet end to a bold savory bowl.

Grilled Avocados with Lime

Serve halved and charred for extra creamy goodness.

Spicy Mango Salsa

A refreshing, juicy pop that cools down the heat.

Tortilla Chips and Guacamole

Classic, crunchy side for scooping and munching.


Want More Bowl Ideas That Hit the Spot?

If you’re loving this flavorful combo, check out these satisfying bowls and cheesy dishes from Chef Alchemy:


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📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you swap in shrimp? Use a cilantro-lime rice base instead? I’d love to hear your spins on this easy bowl.

Explore more beautifully curated flavor-packed meals on ChefAlchemy’s Pinterest and dive into your next dinner idea!

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Effortless Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl

Effortless Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl


  • Author: Lorenzo Devereaux
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Description

This Effortless Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl is a bold, flavorful dish that comes together fast—perfect for a quick dinner, meal prep lunch, or weeknight craving. Juicy spiced chicken, fluffy rice, sweet corn, and a zesty creamy sauce create a mouthwatering combo in every bite. This recipe balances wholesome ingredients with vibrant street-food inspiration, making it a go-to choice for anyone needing easy dinner ideas, healthy meals, or customizable bowl food options. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or a colorful, satisfying dinner idea, this bowl fits beautifully into your weekly menu.


Ingredients

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 cups cooked white rice or jasmine rice

1 cup sweet corn (canned, frozen, or fresh)

1 tablespoon butter (for charring corn, optional)

1/4 cup sour cream

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon lime juice

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 dash hot sauce (optional)

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 lime, cut into wedges


Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine chicken with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Marinate for 20 minutes.

2. Grill or sear chicken on medium-high heat until cooked and slightly charred.

3. Prepare rice according to package instructions. Fluff and season lightly with salt.

4. Heat corn in a skillet with butter to lightly char (optional).

5. In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, garlic powder, and hot sauce.

6. Assemble bowls: Add rice, top with chicken and corn, drizzle with sauce, garnish with cilantro and lime wedges. Serve warm.

Notes

For extra flavor, char both the chicken and corn in a cast iron skillet or grill pan.

You can easily swap the rice with cauliflower rice or brown rice for a healthier twist.

  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Grilling or Searing
  • Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 520
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 540mg
  • Fat: 25g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 17g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 33g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg

Keywords: quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, rice bowl, street corn chicken, healthy lunch, meal prep ideas

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