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Delicious Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl topped with fresh herbs and spices.

Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl

A flavor-packed one-pan meal featuring chicken, charred corn, and creamy ingredients, perfect for an easy family dinner.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

For the chicken
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
  • 1 tsp chili powder, for chicken
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
For the street corn
  • 2 cups corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned and drained)
  • 2 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup cotija cheese, crumbled (or substitute feta)
  • 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder, for street corn
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
For assembly
  • 2 cups cooked white rice (or brown rice)
  • 1 can black beans, 15 oz, rinsed and drained
  • 1 ripe avocado, sliced

Method
 

Cooking the Rice and Chicken
  1. Start cooking your rice according to package directions while preparing other components.
  2. Pat the chicken pieces completely dry with paper towels.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
  4. Toss the dried chicken pieces with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
  5. Add the seasoned chicken to the hot skillet in a single layer without overcrowding. Cook without moving for 3-4 minutes to develop a golden-brown crust, then flip and cook another 3-4 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
Cooking the Corn
  1. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet and add the corn kernels. Spread into an even layer and let sit undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to char on one side, then stir and cook another 1-2 minutes until about 20-30% of kernels show dark golden char marks.
  2. Remove the skillet from heat and immediately stir in the mayonnaise, cotija cheese, lime juice, chili powder, and cilantro. The residual heat will help everything meld together. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
Assembly
  1. Divide the cooked rice among four serving bowls. Top each with black beans, cooked chicken pieces, and a generous scoop of the street corn mixture.
  2. Finish with sliced avocado and any additional toppings like extra cotija cheese, lime wedges, hot sauce, or pickled jalapeños. Serve immediately.

Notes

If you're short on time, use precooked chicken; toss it in at the end to warm through. Adjust the spices as per your taste.