Easy Street Corn Chicken Chili Recipe That’ll Warm Your Soul

Summers sizzle with bold flavors and comfort meals that spark conversations around the dinner table.

This hearty street corn chicken chili brings a delightful twist to classic comfort food, blending smoky and zesty notes that dance across your palate.

Creamy, spicy, and packed with vibrant ingredients, the dish captures the essence of street-side Mexican cuisine.

Charred corn kernels and tender chicken create a robust base that promises deep, satisfying flavor profiles.

The chili carries a perfect balance of heat and richness, making each spoonful an adventure for your taste buds.

Fresh toppings like cilantro, lime, and crumbled cheese add bright, crisp layers that elevate this one-pot wonder.

Prepare to savor a meal that transforms an ordinary evening into a culinary celebration.

Street Corn Chicken Chili Savory Twist

• Spice Up Your Meal: Blast your taste buds with a zesty fusion of Mexican street corn and hearty chicken chili that delivers bold, exciting flavors in every bite.
• Quick and Simple Cooking: Whip up this delicious one-pot wonder in under an hour with minimal prep work and straightforward cooking steps that even beginner cooks can master.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Perfect for game day, family dinners, or potluck gatherings, this chili offers something everyone will love with its creamy texture and customizable heat level.
• Nutritious Protein Powerhouse: Packed with lean chicken, fresh vegetables, and protein-rich ingredients, this dish provides a balanced meal that satisfies hunger and supports healthy eating.

Ingredients for Chicken Chili

• Chicken: Protein that provides a hearty base for the chili.
• Corn: Adds sweetness and texture typical of street corn style.
• Onion: Provides a foundational aromatic flavor to the dish.
• Jalapenos: Brings a spicy kick to the chili.

• Chicken Broth, Beer: Creates a rich, flavorful liquid base for simmering.
• Lime Juice: Adds brightness and acidity to balance the dish.

• Garlic, Salt, Pepper, Spices: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the chili.
• Hot Sauce, Sour Cream, Cilantro: Provides additional depth, creaminess, and fresh herbal notes to complete the dish.

Making Street Corn Chicken Chili

Step 1: Sauté Fresh Vegetables

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat.

Add diced onions, chopped jalapeños, and corn kernels.

• Salt
• Black pepper

Sauté the vegetables, stirring occasionally, until they become soft and slightly caramelized, about 7-9 minutes.

Step 2: Introduce Protein And Aromatic Spices

Toss in minced garlic and ground chicken.

• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Smoked paprika
• Oregano

Break up the chicken with a wooden spoon, cooking until it’s no longer pink and starts to brown, approximately 7-9 minutes.

Step 3: Build Depth With Liquid Base

• Chicken broth
• Beer
• Chicken base

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer.

Cover and cook for 25-30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.

Step 4: Create Creamy Finish

• Hot sauce
• Sour cream
• Chopped cilantro
• Fresh lime juice

Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, letting the chili thicken and flavors intensify.

Step 5: Plate And Garnish

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

• Shredded cheese.
• Crispy tortilla strips.
• Additional cilantro.
• Lime wedges.

Tips for Flavorful Chicken Chili

• Corn Prep Boost flavor by charring corn in a skillet before adding to the chili for a smoky, street-style taste.
• Spice Control Adjust jalapeño and hot sauce amounts to match your heat tolerance, creating a personalized spice level.
• Protein Swap Easily substitute chicken with ground turkey or shredded rotisserie chicken for different texture and convenience.
• Creamy Hack Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a protein-packed, tangier alternative with less fat.
• Leftover Magic Chili tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to meld, making it perfect for meal prep.

Chicken Chili Recipe Variations

• Vegetarian Delight: Swap chicken with black beans or tofu, using vegetable broth instead of chicken base for a plant-based protein-packed chili.
• Low-Carb Comfort: Replace corn with cauliflower rice and use zucchini noodles as a base, maintaining the street corn flavor profile while reducing carbohydrates.
• Dairy-Free Option: Substitute sour cream with coconut yogurt or cashew cream, and use dairy-free cheese alternatives for toppings to accommodate lactose-intolerant diners.
• Instant Pot Express: Convert the recipe to a pressure cooker method, reducing overall cooking time while preserving the rich, bold street corn chicken chili flavors.

Serving Street Corn Chicken Chili

• Mexican Fiesta Night: Host a vibrant dinner party where guests customize their chili bowls with various toppings like crumbled cotija cheese, diced avocado, and crispy tortilla strips.
• Chili Bread Bowl Delight: Serve the hearty chili inside a warm, hollowed-out sourdough bread bowl for a rustic and filling meal that combines comfort and flavor.
• Game Day Champion: Perfect for sports gatherings, pair this chili with cold Mexican beer, corn chips, and create a DIY topping station for friends to personalize their bowls.
• Leftover Magic: Transform remaining chili into stuffed peppers, quesadilla filling, or a topping for loaded nachos, extending the deliciousness of the original dish.

Storage for Chicken Chili Leftovers

• Store leftover chili in an airtight container for up to 4 days, ensuring it cools completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pour chili into freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, removing excess air, and freeze for 2-3 months for maximum flavor preservation.
• Warm chili slowly on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and maintain its creamy texture, adding a splash of broth if needed to restore moisture.
• Keep sour cream and cilantro separate when storing to maintain the chili's optimal consistency and prevent watery texture when reheating.

FAQs

• What makes street corn chicken chili unique?

This chili combines Mexican street corn flavors with traditional chili, creating a bold and creamy dish that blends spicy chicken, sweet corn, and tangy toppings.

• Is this chili spicy?

The heat level depends on jalapeños and hot sauce. You can control spiciness by adjusting the amount of peppers and hot sauce to suit your taste preference.

• Can I make this chili without beer?

Yes, you can substitute beer with additional chicken broth or chicken stock to maintain the liquid consistency and flavor depth of the chili.

• What are the best toppings for this chili?

Great toppings include extra cilantro, crumbled cotija cheese, sliced green onions, diced avocado, and extra lime wedges to enhance the street corn chicken chili experience.

Street Corn Chicken Chili Recipe

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4.7 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Spicy street corn chicken chili blends Mexican street food magic with hearty comfort in one irresistible bowl. Zesty corn, tender chicken, and bold spices create a flavor explosion that will make weekend dinners deliciously memorable.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ground chicken
• 6–8 ears corn on the cob, kernels removed (about 4 cups)
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 onion, diced
• 3–4 jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced

Spices and Seasonings:

• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon chicken base
• 6–8 cloves garlic, minced

Finishing and Garnish Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 3/4 cup beer (optional)
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup cilantro, chopped
• Hot sauce to taste
• Cotija cheese (for garnish)
• Extra cilantro (for garnish)
• Lime wedges (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Sauté onions, jalapeños, and corn in a large pot over medium heat, seasoning with salt and pepper until vegetables soften and become fragrant, approximately 7-9 minutes.
2. Introduce minced garlic, diced chicken, and selected spices to the vegetable mixture, continuously breaking down chicken while cooking until it turns opaque and begins to brown, about 7-9 minutes.
3. Pour in chicken broth, beer, and chicken base, bringing the mixture to a robust boil before reducing heat to a gentle simmer, allowing flavors to meld and develop for 25-30 minutes.
4. Enhance the chili by stirring in hot sauce, creamy sour cream, chopped fresh cilantro, and bright lime juice, letting the ingredients integrate and warm through for an additional 5-10 minutes.
5. Taste and fine-tune seasonings as needed, then ladle into serving bowls and garnish with desired toppings for a robust and zesty street corn chicken chili experience.

Notes

• Customize Heat Levels Adjust jalapeno and hot sauce quantities to match your spice tolerance, creating a milder or more intense chili experience.
• Protein Flexibility Swap chicken for ground turkey, shredded beef, or plant-based crumbles to accommodate different dietary preferences and protein needs.
• Alcohol-Free Option Replace beer with additional chicken broth or a non-alcoholic beer to maintain flavor depth while keeping the recipe alcohol-free.
• Creamy Texture Hack For an extra creamy consistency, blend a portion of the chili before adding final toppings, creating a richer, more integrated sauce.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 430
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg