Spicy Street Corn Chicken Chili Recipe for Cozy Nights

Sizzling skillets and bold flavors converge in this street corn chicken chili that promises an explosion of southwestern comfort.

Packed with smoky, sweet, and spicy notes, this dish celebrates vibrant Mexican-inspired cuisine.

Charred corn kernels mingle with tender chicken, creating a robust and hearty meal that’ll make taste buds dance.

Each spoonful brings a symphony of textures and zesty seasonings that transport you to bustling street markets.

Creamy, tangy, and deeply satisfying, this chili breaks free from traditional recipes with its unique corn-infused twist.

The combination of grilled corn, succulent chicken, and rich spices ensures a meal that’s both familiar and excitingly new.

Grab your ladle and get ready to savor every delectable bite of this unforgettable chili.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 7

Street Corn Chicken Chili Ingredient List

• Olive Oil: Provides a rich, smooth foundation for sautéing vegetables and chicken, ensuring deep flavor development.
• Onion: Adds sweetness and aromatic depth, creating a robust flavor base for the chili.
• Jalapeños: Introduces a spicy kick and vibrant heat, balancing the overall taste profile.
• Corn: Brings a sweet, fresh texture and authentic street corn essence to the dish.

• Ground Chicken: Lean protein that absorbs spices beautifully, creating a hearty and light chili.
• Garlic: Delivers intense, pungent flavor that enhances the entire dish's complexity.
• Chili Powder, Paprika, Cumin: Spice trio that creates a warm, smoky southwestern flavor profile, adding depth and complexity.

• Chicken Broth: Provides a rich, savory liquid base that intensifies the overall chili flavor.
• Beer: Optional ingredient that adds malty undertones and helps tenderize the meat.
• Chicken Base: Concentrated flavor enhancer that boosts the chicken's natural taste.
• Hot Sauce: Adds an extra layer of heat and tangy complexity.
• Sour Cream: Creates a creamy, cooling contrast to the spicy elements.
• Cilantro: Brings fresh, bright herb notes that cut through the richness.
• Lime Juice: Adds zesty acidity that brightens and balances the entire dish.

Must-Have Tools for Chicken Chili

• Large Soup Pot: Essential for cooking and simmering the chili with plenty of space for ingredients.
• Spatula: Perfect for breaking apart ground chicken and stirring ingredients while cooking.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure spices like chili powder, paprika, and cumin.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions, jalapeños, cilantro, and preparing lime wedges.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for precise chopping of fresh ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients throughout the cooking process.
• Ladle: Helpful for serving the finished chili into bowls.

Cooking Instructions for Street Corn Chili

Street Corn Chicken Chili

• Veggie Sizzle Kickoff

Warm up a large soup pot with olive oil and toss in chopped onions, jalapeños, and corn. Sprinkle a hint of salt and pepper to wake up the flavors. Let everything dance and soften for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

• Protein Power Boost

Introduce ground chicken to the party with garlic and a blend of spicy seasonings like chili powder, paprika, and cumin. Break down the chicken as it cooks, turning golden brown and releasing mouth-watering aromas. This process takes roughly 8 minutes.

• Liquid Love

Pour in chicken broth and a splash of beer for extra depth. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then dial down the heat and let everything simmer and mingle for about 30 minutes, allowing flavors to become best friends.

• Flavor Finale

Stir in a splash of hot sauce, creamy sour cream, fresh cilantro, and bright lime juice. Let the chili bubble gently for another 10 minutes to marry all the ingredients.

• Serving Celebration

Taste and adjust seasonings, then serve with fun toppings like extra cilantro, crumbly cotija cheese, and zesty lime wedges. Each bowl promises a fiesta of flavors that’ll make taste buds dance.

Flavor Additions for Street Corn Chicken Chili

• Control the heat by reducing or increasing jalapeños and hot sauce according to personal preference.
• Replace ground chicken with ground turkey, beef, or plant-based crumbles for diverse meal variations.
• Prepare the chili in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to intensify overnight for even more delicious results.
• Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 months, creating convenient future meals with minimal preparation.
• Add extra vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or black beans to enhance nutritional value and create more robust texture.

How to Serve Chicken Chili with Street Corn Flair

• Street Corn Chili Feast: Top this zesty chili with crumbled cotija cheese for a rich, tangy finish that complements the spicy chicken base.
• Backyard BBQ Style: Serve in deep bowls garnished with fresh cilantro, extra lime wedges, and a sprinkle of chili powder to enhance the street corn theme and add bright, fresh notes.
• Tex-Mex Party Platter: Create a customizable chili bar with small bowls of toppings like diced green onions, sliced jalapeños, extra sour cream, and crispy tortilla strips so guests can build their perfect bowl.
• Comfort Meal Companion: Pair with warm cornbread, fluffy white rice, or crispy tortilla chips to soak up the delicious broth and add a satisfying texture contrast to the hearty chili.

Storing Leftovers of Street Corn Chicken Chili

• Refrigerator Recovery: Store leftover chili in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to maintain maximum flavor and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezer Friendly Champion: This hearty chili freezes beautifully for 2-3 months. Portion into individual containers for quick future meals that taste just as delicious as the first serving.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare a double batch and divide into lunch-sized portions for easy weekday grab-and-go meals. The flavors intensify overnight, making it even more delectable the next day.
• Reheating Wisdom: Thaw frozen chili in the refrigerator overnight, then warm gently on the stovetop. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent drying out during reheating.

Hearty Street Corn Chicken Chili Recipe

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4.7 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Spicy Mexican street corn chicken chili combines zesty flavors with hearty ingredients. Creamy, smoky, and packed with protein, this dish delivers a delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 2 lbs ground chicken
• 6–8 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, diced
• 3–4 jalapeño peppers, seeds removed and diced
• 6–8 ears of corn, kernels cut from cob
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 3 tbsps chili powder
• 2 tbsps paprika
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 4 cups chicken broth
• ¾ cup beer (optional)
• 1 tbsp chicken base
• Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
• A few dashes of hot sauce, to taste
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup chopped cilantro
• 3 tbsps lime juice
• Additional cilantro (optional topping)
• Crumbled cotija cheese (optional topping)
• Extra chili powder (optional topping)
• Lime wedges (optional topping)

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Instructions

1. Sauté Foundation: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, combining diced onions, sliced jalapeños, and golden corn kernels with a pinch of seasoning, stirring occasionally until vegetables soften and develop a light caramelization.
2. Build Protein Layer: Add minced garlic and ground chicken, incorporating chili powder, smoky paprika, cumin, and additional seasonings. Meticulously break down chicken while cooking, ensuring complete browning and even distribution of spices.
3. Liquid Integration: Pour chicken broth and optional beer into the pot, creating a robust liquid base that will infuse depth and complexity into the chili. Reduce heat and allow the mixture to simmer gently for 25-30 minutes, permitting flavors to meld and develop.
4. Flavor Enhancement: Stir in hot sauce, sour cream, chopped cilantro, and lime juice. Continue cooking for an additional 5-10 minutes to marry ingredients and intensify the overall taste profile.
5. Final Refinement: Taste and adjust seasonings with additional chili powder, salt, and pepper as needed. Serve the chili piping hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, crumbled cotija cheese, a sprinkle of chili powder, and lime wedges for a vibrant presentation.

Notes

• Corn Kernel Caramelization: Sauté corn until golden brown to unlock deeper, sweeter flavor profiles that elevate the entire chili’s taste.
• Chicken Browning Technique: Break down ground chicken thoroughly to prevent clumping and ensure even, flavorful cooking throughout the dish.
• Liquid Balance Mastery: Adjust broth and beer ratios carefully to create ideal consistency without making the chili too thin or dense.
• Simmering Sweet Spot: Maintain gentle heat during 25-30 minute reduction to develop rich, complex flavors without burning or overcooking ingredients.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg