Irresistible Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos Recipe

Tacos just got a spicy upgrade with this mouthwatering fried chicken street corn tacos recipe that combines crispy, golden chicken with vibrant Mexican street corn flavors.

The sizzling blend of juicy, seasoned chicken creates an irresistible crunch in every bite.

Charred corn kernels dance with zesty spices, promising a fiesta of taste in your mouth.

Fresh cilantro and tangy lime add brightness to the dish, cutting through the rich, golden-brown chicken.

These tacos aren’t just a meal; they’re a celebration of bold, street-style cooking that brings excitement to your dinner table.

You’ll fall in love with the perfect balance of textures and flavors that make these tacos a true culinary adventure.

Prepare to transport your taste buds straight to the bustling streets of Mexico with this unforgettable recipe.

Crispy Chicken Elote Taco’s Other Styles

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with rice flour or gluten-free cornmeal for coating chicken. Use corn tortillas and ensure all seasonings are gluten-free certified.
• Vegetarian Elote Tacos: Substitute chicken with crispy cauliflower or jackfruit. Maintain the same marinating and coating technique for plant-based protein alternative.
• Spicy Southwest Variation: Add chipotle powder to chicken coating. Incorporate diced green chilies into corn salad and increase jalapeño content in ranch sauce for extra heat.
• Low-Carb Option: Replace tortillas with large lettuce wraps. Use almond flour instead of regular flour for chicken coating and reduce corn quantity in salad.

Fun Serving for Chicken Elote Tacos

• Street Food Feast: Perfect for game day or casual gatherings with friends, these tacos bring vibrant Mexican-inspired flavors to your table.
• Taco Night Spread: Create a DIY taco bar with extra toppings like sliced avocados, diced tomatoes, and lime wedges to let guests customize their meal.
• Beverage Pairing: Serve with ice-cold Mexican beer, tangy margaritas, or refreshing agua fresca to complement the rich, spicy chicken and creamy corn salad.
• Side Dish Magic: Add Mexican street corn on the cob, black beans, or a crisp green salad to round out the meal and provide extra texture and nutrition.

Storing Crispy Chicken Elote Tacos Properly

• Store remaining tacos in an airtight container for up to 2 days, keeping components separate to maintain crispiness.
• Keep fried chicken in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, reheating in the oven to preserve its crispy texture.
• Seal corn mixture in a sealed container and consume within 2 days for optimal freshness and flavor.
• Refrigerate ranch sauce in a closed jar for up to 5 days, stirring before each use to restore its creamy consistency.

FAQs

• Why pickle juice in the marinade?

Pickle juice tenderizes chicken, adds tangy flavor, and helps break down proteins for a juicier result.

• Can I use different peppers in the ranch sauce?

Yes, you can swap jalapeños with serrano or poblano peppers based on your heat preference.

• What makes the chicken coating crispy?

The combination of flour, cornstarch, and double-dipping in buttermilk creates a thick, crunchy exterior that stays crisp.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The heat level depends on the peppers used – jalapeños provide mild to medium spiciness, which you can adjust to your taste.

Crispy Chicken Elote Tacos: Why They’re Popular

• Quick and Easy Weeknight Meal: Whip up these mouthwatering tacos in just a few simple steps, perfect for busy families craving something delicious and exciting.
• Flavor Explosion in Every Bite: Combine crispy fried chicken, creamy elote corn salad, and zesty ranch sauce for a taste adventure that'll make your taste buds dance.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adjust spice levels and ingredients to suit different preferences, making this recipe a hit for both picky eaters and adventurous food lovers.
• Restaurant-Quality Comfort Food: Recreate a gourmet street food experience right in your kitchen, impressing friends and family with professional-level cooking skills.

Ingredient List for Crispy Chicken Elote Tacos

• Chicken: Tender and flavorful meat that serves as the main protein for the taco.
• Bacon: Crispy and savory meat that adds extra flavor and texture to the taco.

• Pickle Juice, Buttermilk: Acidic ingredients that tenderize and add tangy flavor to the chicken.
• Flour, Cornstarch: Dry ingredients that create a crispy and light coating for the chicken.
• Seasonings: Blend of spices that enhance the overall taste of the chicken.

• Corn: Fresh grilled corn that provides a sweet and smoky element to the taco.
• Mayonnaise, Sour Cream: Creamy ingredients that bind the corn salad and ranch sauce.
• Cheese: Adds richness and a salty flavor to the corn salad.
• Jalapenos, Cilantro: Fresh herbs and peppers that bring heat and brightness to the ranch sauce.
• Tortillas: Soft corn or flour base that holds all the delicious ingredients together.

Cooking Up Crispy Chicken Elote Tacos

Step 1: Marinate Chicken

Place chicken pieces in a deep container with pickle juice and buttermilk.

Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours and maximum of 8 hours to tenderize and infuse flavor.

Step 2: Create Crispy Coating

• All-purpose flour
• Cornstarch
• Chili powder
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk buttermilk into the dry mixture to create a thick, clumpy breading.

Step 3: Deep Fry Chicken

Dredge each chicken piece twice in the flour mixture, ensuring complete coverage.

Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F.

Carefully lower chicken pieces into hot oil and fry until exterior turns golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Step 4: Prepare Elote Corn Salad

Grill fresh corn until lightly charred.

Remove kernels from cob using a sharp knife.

• Mayonnaise
• Cotija cheese
• Chopped cilantro
• Chili powder
• Lime juice

Step 5: Craft Spicy Ranch Sauce

• Fresh jalapeños
• Cilantro
• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Lime juice
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 6: Assemble Tacos

Briefly pan-fry corn tortillas until slightly crisp.

Layer each taco with crispy chicken, elote corn salad, spicy ranch sauce, and crumbled bacon.

Serve immediately.

Elote Taco Tips for Extra Crunch

• Use buttermilk and pickle juice to tenderize chicken, creating incredibly juicy meat with deep flavor profile.
• Dip chicken twice in seasoned flour mixture and buttermilk to achieve extra crispy, golden exterior that stays crunchy.
• Grill corn directly on flame for smoky char, enhancing the overall elote corn salad's complexity and depth.
• Adjust jalapeno quantity in ranch sauce to personalize heat level, making it mild or fiery based on preference.
• Crisp bacon adds textural contrast and smoky richness, elevating the taco's overall flavor and mouthfeel.

Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Street-style Mexican magic unfolds as Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos bring sizzling flavors from south of the border. Crispy chicken meets charred corn in a zesty dance that will make you crave another bite of this mouthwatering culinary adventure.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1.5 pounds chicken tenders
• Bacon strips

Primary Marinade and Breading:

• 1 cup pickle juice
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce

Seasonings and Toppings:

• 5–6 ears corn, grilled
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise for corn
• 1/3 cup cotija cheese
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise for ranch
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup pickled jalapenos
• Flour tortillas

Spice Blend:

• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Onion powder
• Black pepper
• Cayenne

Herb Blend for Corn:

• Cilantro
• Scallions
• Lime
• Garlic

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Instructions

1. Submerge chicken pieces in a blend of pickle juice and buttermilk for a minimum of 2 hours, allowing the marinade to tenderize and infuse flavor deep into the meat.
2. Create a crispy coating by combining flour, cornstarch, and a robust blend of spices in a shallow dish. Introduce buttermilk to generate textured, craggy crumbs for maximum crunch.
3. Meticulously dredge marinated chicken through the seasoned flour mixture, then recoat with buttermilk and flour again to ensure an extra-crispy exterior. Deep fry at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until achieving a rich golden-brown color.
4. Char fresh corn kernels on a grill or skillet until lightly caramelized. Slice kernels off the cob and blend with creamy mayonnaise, crumbled cotija cheese, chopped herbs, and zesty seasonings.
5. Pulse fresh jalapeños and cilantro in a food processor. Fold into a creamy mixture of mayonnaise, tangy sour cream, and complementary spices to craft a vibrant ranch-style sauce.
6. Quickly toast soft tortillas in a hot skillet until slightly crisp. Layer with crispy chicken, elote corn salad, drizzle with jalapeño ranch, and garnish with crumbled bacon for added texture.

Notes

• Boost chicken tenderness by soaking in pickle juice, which helps break down proteins and add tangy flavor depth.
• Create extra crispy coating by double-dredging chicken in seasoned flour mixture, ensuring maximum crunch and texture.
• Customize corn salad by using fresh grilled corn for intense smoky flavor, or substitute with canned corn during off-season.
• Make ranch sauce ahead of time and refrigerate to let flavors meld, resulting in more intense and balanced condiment.

• Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg