Print

Flavorful Grilled Street Corn Chicken Recipe with Charred Elote Sauce

grilled street corn chicken - featured image
Print Recipe

This grilled chicken recipe features a smoky, creamy, and spicy charred elote sauce inspired by Mexican street corn. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for summer gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 680 g)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 2 ears of fresh corn, husked (or about 1.5 cups / 225 g frozen corn, thawed)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup crumbled cotija cheese (or feta as a substitute)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken breasts and coat well. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes (up to 2 hours in the fridge).
  2. Prepare the Corn: Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the corn ears directly on the grates, turning occasionally, until the kernels are charred in spots—about 8-10 minutes.
  3. Make the Charred Elote Sauce: Let the grilled corn cool slightly, then slice the kernels off the cob. In a bowl, combine the corn kernels, mayonnaise, cotija cheese, lime juice, chili powder, minced garlic, cilantro, and a pinch of salt. Mix until creamy and well combined. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  4. Grill the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken on the hot grill. Cook for about 6-7 minutes per side (12-14 minutes total), or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Avoid flipping too often.
  5. Rest & Serve: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking. Spoon the charred elote sauce generously over each breast. Garnish with extra cotija or cilantro if desired.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before marinating for better sear. Oil grill grates lightly to prevent sticking. Don’t move chicken too soon to get good grill marks. Char corn evenly for smoky flavor. Adjust chili powder to taste. Use feta if cotija cheese is unavailable. Vegan mayo and dairy-free cheese can be used for dairy-free option.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken, street corn, elote sauce, charred corn, summer recipe, smoky sauce, easy grilled chicken, Mexican inspired

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/flavorful-grilled-street-corn-chicken-recipe-with-charred-elote-sauce-easy-step-by-step-guide/