Are you a fan of street tacos? If so, then you’re in for a treat with these Mexican Street Corn Chicken Tacos! Loaded with tender, cilantro lime marinaded chicken, mashed avocado, Mexican street corn, and a delicious, creamy sriracha mayo sauce. Each bite is guaranteed to be better than the last!
MEXICAN STREET CORN CHICKEN TACOS
Taco Tuesday is looking better and better every week! Not that it needs to be Tuesday in order for us to indulge in some tacos, now does it? I didn’t think so!
What makes street tacos even better? They’re little portion-controlled tacos! The polar opposite of the big behemoth burritos you can fill to the brim at Chipotle. I still love Chipotle, though. But I have to be honest, these Mexican Street Corn Chicken Tacos give them a run for their money because they are so addicting!
These tacos are super simple to make, full of amazing Mexican flavors, and I like to consider them a bit healthier than the traditional street tacos you can get. Which is always a win win in my book. If I can make something healthier, yet still feel like I am indulging – I am a happy camper!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR STREET TACOS
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
- Minced garlic
- Olive oil
- Limes – for garnish and squeezing for juice
- Seasonings: smoked paprika (or regular), cilantro, garlic powder, salt, pepper
- Avocados
- Plain greek yogurt (or sour cream)
- Regular, low-fat, or olive oil mayonnaise
- Sriracha
- Scallions/Green onions
- Cotija cheese
- Jalapeno
- Fire-roasted corn
- Street corn tortillas
COOKING TIPS FOR DELICIOUS STREET TACOS
- Chicken: I do recommend using chicken thighs for maximum flavor, but chicken breast can be used. Or a mixture of both.
- Grilling: You can use an outdoor or indoor grill. Make sure to oil the grill prior to cooking the chicken to ensure the chicken doesn’t stick.
- Corn: I prefer roasted corn in my Mexican Street Corn, but you are more than welcome to use what you have on hand: frozen (thawed) corn or corn on the cob.
- Marinating: For tender, flavorful chicken (especially chicken breast if being used), I recommend allowing the chicken to marinate for a minimum of 45-60 minutes.
- Tortillas: You can find mini tortillas labeled ‘Street Tacos’ with the regular tortillas and taco shells. To warm on the stove: place a pan over low heat. Warm each side for 10-15 seconds once the pan is hot.
ROASTED CORN COOKING OPTIONS:
As mentioned above, I do recommend using roasted corn in the Mexican street corn, as it will give it a different, more pronounced taste than regular corn. But you can certainly omit the roasting process or use canned or frozen (thawed) fire-roasted corn!
- Canned fire-roasted corn: Be sure to thoroughly drain the corn before tossing it together with the other ingredients.
- Frozen fire-roasted corn: Allow the corn to thoroughly thaw and drain any excess moisture/water from the bag before using. I find that laying it out onto a few paper towels helps!
Can’t find canned OR frozen fire-roasted corn? NO PROBLEM!
- Regular canned/frozen corn: Thoroughly drain/thaw the corn before cooking. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the corn, cooking for 10-12 minutes or until the corn starts to brown. Stir every few minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Once it has cooled, combine it with the remaining ingredients for the street corn.
FAVORITE TOOLS USED:
- Meat Thermometer: Great for indoor or outdoor use. Digital, easy to use, and instant read!
- Herb Scissors: Still one of my favorite kitchen gadgets to date. Makes chopping herbs a breeze!
- Cast Iron Grill Pan: If you don’t have an outdoor grill, but still want that off-the-grill taste, then you will love this grill pan.
MORE TACO TUESDAY RECIPES
- Easy Chicken Taco Bowls
- Skinny Taco Salad – Meal Prep
- Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats
- Loaded Skinny Taco Flatbread Pizza
- Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
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Mexican Street Corn Chicken Tacos
Ingredients:
Grilled Chicken (Marinade):
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, (can sub with chicken breast)
- 3 cloves garlic, (minced)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- zest of 1 lime
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, (or regular paprika)
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/2 tsp salt, (more or less, to taste)
- 1/4 tsp pepper, (more or less, to taste)
Mexican Street Corn:
- 2 ears fresh corn on the cob, (husked)
- 1/3 cup green onions, (chopped)
- 1/3 cup cotija cheese
- 1 jalapeno (optional), (stem and seeds removed, chopped)
- 1 1/2 - 2 tbsp lime juice, (more or less, to taste)
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- salt, (to taste)
Sriracha Mayo:
- 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup olive oil mayo, (can use regular or low-fat *SEE NOTES BELOW)
- 1 tbsp sriracha, (more or less, to taste)
- 2 tbsp lime juice, (more or less, to taste)
- salt (optional), (to taste)
Avocado Mash:
- 1 medium avocado, (peeled and pited)
- 1/4-1/2 tsp garlic powder, (add to taste)
- 2 tbsp lime juice, (more or less, to taste)
- 1/8-1/4 salt, (to taste)
Tacos:
- 12 mini corn tortillas, (warmed)
- lime wedges
- freshly chopped cilantro
- extra cotija cheese
Instructions:
Chicken:
- In a medium bowl, combine all 'Marinade' ingredients listed (minus chicken).
- Trim the chicken of any excess fat.
- In a gallon size Ziploc bag or to the same bowl, combine the chicken with the marinade; marinate for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours, making sure to shake the bag or toss the chicken in the bowl every so often to ensure even marinating.
- Indoor grill pan: Spray a large nonstick pan with cooking spray (or add high-heat oil such as canola or vegetable oil) and place over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken thighs 4-5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part reads 165 degrees F using a meat thermometer.Outdoor grill: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and safely oil the grill grates. I recommned using a paper towel dipped in the oil and handled using grill-safe tongs.Discard the extra marinade. Grill the chicken 4-5 minutes per side, or until the thickest part of a thigh reads 165 degrees F using a meat thermometer. I recommend brushing the uncooked side of the breast with a little oil before flipping to cook the opposite side.Remove chicken to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm for a few minutes before slicing/shredding.
Mexican Street Corn:
- Husk the corn and rub each ear with oil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Add the ears of corn to one side of the grill the same time you add the chicken thighs.
- Turn the ears of corn every 2-3 minutes, grilling for a total of 10-15 minutes. You will notice dark spots and the kernels start to deepen/darken in color.
- Remove corn to a plate and allow it to cool slightly before slicing it off the cob. In a medium bowl, combine the corn with the remaining ingredients listed under 'Mexican Street Corn', adjusting salt and lime juice as needed.
Siracha Mayo & Avocado Mash:
- In two seperate bowls, combine the ingredients for both the Sriracha Mayo and the Avocado Mash.Be sure to adjust ingredients, such as the lime juice and salt, for the avocado mash, to suit your taste bud preferences. The lime juice will add flavor, as well as help to keep the avocado from browning. You can omit all ingredients for the avocado mash and simply add plain avocado slices to the tacos, as well.Same for the amount of Sriracha used in the Sriracha Mayo sauce. If you're worried about heat, add 1/2 tablespoon to start, taste test, and add more, if needed.
Tacos:
- Warm the tortillas (either in a pan on the stove over low heat or) the last few minutes on the grill for 5-10 seconds. Or serve as they come. Add the sliced chicken, street corn, avocado mash, and sriracha mayo. Garnish with extra lime juice, cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, or your favorite toppings!