Healthy Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl Recipe
A vibrant and healthy Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl combining tender marinated chicken, flavorful cilantro lime rice, and a tangy elote-style corn salad with a creamy Greek yogurt dressing. Perfect for a quick, satisfying meal that’s bursting with bold flavors and fresh ingredients.
- Author: Bella
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
- Diet: Low Fat
For the Chicken Marinade and Cooking:
- 1½ lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or boneless, skinless chicken thighs)
- 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil (1 Tbsp for marinating + 2 Tbsp for cooking)
- 1½ tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Cilantro Lime Rice:
- 1 cup jasmine rice, uncooked
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
- 2 Tbsp lime juice (about 1 lime)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt (more to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Elote Dressing:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 Tbsp mayonnaise
- Zest and juice of 1 lime
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1–3 Tbsp water (to thin as needed)
For the Street Corn Salad:
- 3 cups cooked corn kernels (fresh or cooked)
- ½ red bell pepper, chopped (about ½ cup)
- 1 small jalapeno, seeded and chopped
- ¼ cup red onion, chopped
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- ¼ cup crumbled cotija cheese
Optional Toppings:
- Romaine lettuce or mixed greens
- Diced avocado
- Cherry tomatoes
- Prep the Chicken: Cut the chicken into cubes and place in a bowl. Add 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil along with chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Toss well to coat the chicken evenly. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavors while you prepare the other components.
- Make the Cilantro Lime Rice: Cook the jasmine rice according to package instructions. Once cooked, let it cool for about 5-10 minutes. Stir in the chopped cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper until well combined and fluffy.
- Prepare the Elote Dressing: In a bowl, mix together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lime zest, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time to thin the dressing to your desired consistency. Set aside.
- Make the Street Corn Salad: If using fresh corn, cook it by your preferred method and remove kernels from the cob. In a large bowl, combine cooked corn kernels, chopped red bell pepper, jalapeno (seeded and chopped), red onion, cilantro, and crumbled cotija cheese. Add half of the prepared Elote dressing and mix well to combine.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 Tbsp olive oil. When the oil shimmers, add the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes to develop a nice sear, then flip and cook another 3-4 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and is cooked through.
- Assemble the Bowls: Start with a base of romaine lettuce or mixed greens if desired. Add a generous scoop of cilantro lime rice, followed by the cooked chicken, and then the street corn salad. Drizzle with additional Elote dressing, squeeze fresh lime juice over the top, and garnish with diced avocado and cherry tomatoes or other favorite toppings.
- Optional Meal Prep: To save time, prepare the corn salad and Elote dressing ahead of time and store separately. Reheat chicken and rice before assembling bowls when ready to serve.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes enhances flavor, but it can be marinated up to overnight.
- Use fresh corn when in season for the best flavor; canned or frozen corn can be substituted if necessary.
- The Elote dressing can be adjusted in consistency by adding more or less water as preferred.
- Make the dish gluten-free by ensuring all ingredients, especially mayonnaise and seasonings, are gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a spicier kick, include some of the jalapeno seeds or add extra chili powder.
Keywords: street corn chicken bowl, elote chicken bowl, healthy chicken rice bowl, cilantro lime rice, Mexican chicken bowl, easy chicken dinner