Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad is a vibrant, flavor-packed dish perfect for any occasion. This salad is a taste bud delight with roasted corn, creamy cotija cheese, tangy lime, and a hint of chili powder mixed with grilled chicken. It’s light, refreshing, and easy to make in just 10 minutes, ideal for dinner, BBQs, or potlucks!
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This salad is perfect for any occasion, especially BBQs and cookouts. It pairs beautifully with grilled meats, with smoky chicken and corn balanced by tangy lime and creamy cotija. It’s also great for meal prepping or a quick, light weeknight dinner.
What I love most about this recipe is how well it fits into my rotation of Mexican-inspired dishes. It’s like a perfect sequel to my Street Corn Pasta Salad, and a fresh twist on my Street Corn Guacamole. If you’ve enjoyed those, you’re going to love this one too! It’s super simple to make and can be served alongside pretty much anything, whether it’s at a cookout, as a side for tacos, or just as a satisfying lunch.
Jump to:
- What is Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad?
- Why This Healthy Chicken and Corn Salad is Perfect for Meal Prep
- Ingredients
- How to Make Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad in 10 Minutes
- Tips for Making an Authentic Mexican Street Corn Salad
- Substitutions and Flavorful Variations
- How to Serve Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad
- How to Make a Mexican Chicken Salad for Tostadas or Bowls
- Prep and Storage Tips for Mexican Chicken Salad
- FAQ's
- Pairing
- Rate This Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad!
- Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad
- Author
What is Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad?
Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad is a fresh, vibrant dish that combines the delicious flavors of Mexican street corn with grilled chicken. Here's why you'll love it:
Flavor-packed: Roasted corn, creamy cotija cheese, tangy lime, and a touch of chili powder create a zesty, smoky salad.
Healthy and fresh: Packed with fresh ingredients like cilantro, red onion, and bell peppers.
Quick and easy: Ready in just 10 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping.
Versatile: Ideal as a side dish for BBQs, potlucks, or paired with your favorite Mexican dishes.
Crowd-pleaser: A guaranteed hit that’s sure to impress guests at any gathering.
Whether you're craving a tasty chicken salad or a refreshing corn salad, this recipe brings bold flavors to the table!
Why This Healthy Chicken and Corn Salad is Perfect for Meal Prep
This Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad is perfect for meal prep, and the best part? It’s super quick and easy to make, ready in just 10 minutes! With grilled chicken and roasted corn, it offers a delicious combo of protein and fiber that keeps you full and energized. Plus, it holds up well in the fridge, making it an ideal option for prepping multiple servings throughout the week.
Even better, it stays fresh and flavorful for days, so you can enjoy a tasty grab-and-go lunch or a light dinner whenever you want. And the cherry on top? This salad is totally customizable, you can easily swap in rotisserie chicken or add some extra veggies to match your cravings. Whether you're after a healthy chicken and corn salad for meal prep or just a refreshing dish to whip up on busy days, this recipe has you covered with both flavor and ease!
Ingredients
- Grilled chicken: Provides lean protein to keep you full and satisfied.
- Roasted corn: Adds a smoky, sweet flavor that’s key to the street corn vibe.
- Cotija cheese: A crumbly, creamy cheese that gives the salad a rich, savory taste.
- Lime: Adds a tangy, fresh kick to balance the flavors.
- Chili powder: Brings a mild heat and depth of flavor, perfect for a little extra spice.
- Cilantro: Offers a fresh, vibrant taste that brightens up the salad.
- Olive oil: Adds a smooth, light texture to the dressing.
- Mayonnaise: Combines with olive oil to create a creamy dressing base.
- Tortilla chips: A crunchy topping that adds texture and a fun Mexican twist.
How to Make Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad in 10 Minutes
- Step 1: Whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, olive oil, and spices until smooth.
2. Step 2: Combine fire-roasted corn, cooked chicken, red onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and cotija cheese in a large bowl.
3. Step 3: Pour the dressing over the salad and mix until evenly coated.
4. Step 4: Plate with greens and top with crushed tortilla chips.
Tips for Making an Authentic Mexican Street Corn Salad
Grill the Corn: Grilling corn adds that smoky flavor that makes street corn special. If you’re short on time, I used frozen pre-grilled corn from the store, which works perfectly and still gives that charred taste!
Use Cotija Cheese: Cotija’s crumbly texture and salty flavor are key to the authentic taste. If you can’t find it, feta is a decent substitute.
Add Fresh Lime: Lime brings the perfect tang to balance the richness of the cheese and mayo. Don’t skip this zesty touch!
Use Precooked Chicken: For convenience, I used precooked chicken, but feel free to use shredded chicken or cook fresh chicken if you prefer. Either way, it adds a nice protein boost to the salad.
Top with Tortilla Chips: For a crunchy finish, sprinkle crushed tortilla chips on top just before serving to add texture and flavor.
Substitutions and Flavorful Variations
Chicken: If you prefer a different protein, try grilled shrimp or ground turkey instead of chicken. You can even make it vegetarian by adding black beans or tofu for a plant-based option.
Corn: If you can't find pre-grilled frozen corn, you can easily grill fresh corn yourself or use canned corn for a quicker option.
Cheese: If cotija cheese isn’t available, feta cheese is a great substitute, or you can use parmesan for a similar salty, creamy texture.
Dressing: For a lighter version, you can swap out mayo for Greek yogurt or even use avocado for a creamy, healthier twist.
Heat Level: Adjust the spice by adding jalapeños or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper if you like it hotter. For a milder version, omit the chili powder or use paprika for flavor without too much heat.
How to Serve Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad
Looking for the perfect way to serve Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad? Here are some tasty pairings that will elevate your meal and make every bite unforgettable!
Appetizer
Start your meal with Street Corn Chicken Salad and pair it with Mexican Street Corn Guacamole or Mango Pineapple Habanero Salsa for a flavorful kick. The creamy, smoky guacamole complements the tangy salad, while the sweet and spicy salsa adds a bold contrast; both are the perfect appetizers to set the stage for a delicious BBQ meal!
Main Course
Oven Shrimp Skewers offer smoky grilled shrimp, providing a savory contrast to the tangy salad. Instant Pot Mac & Cheese with Frozen Veggies is creamy and comforting, balancing the salad's fresh flavors while keeping it light, ideal for a summer BBQ.
Sides
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad mirrors the salad's smoky, zesty flavors, making it a hearty and filling side. Spicy Garlic Aioli adds a rich, flavorful punch, perfect for drizzling over or dipping, and an excellent side for your BBQ gathering.
Drinks
The Strawberry Lemonade Mocktail is refreshing and tangy, making it the perfect drink to balance the spices in your Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad. It's a great choice for sunny, warm days and an ideal companion for BBQ season, adding a cool and crisp touch to your meal.
How to Make a Mexican Chicken Salad for Tostadas or Bowls
To make a Mexican Chicken Salad for tostadas or bowls, begin by grilling or shredding your chicken and mixing it with fresh ingredients like corn, black beans, tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro. The combination of these ingredients adds a vibrant, refreshing flavor with a perfect balance of textures.
For Tostadas
To serve your Mexican Chicken Salad on tostadas, layer the salad on top of crispy tostada shells. The crunchiness of the shells perfectly complements the fresh ingredients in the salad, creating a satisfying bite.
For Bowls
If you prefer a bowl, serve the salad over a base of fluffy rice or leafy greens. This makes for a filling meal with all the tasty flavors and textures that come together beautifully in every spoonful.
Prep and Storage Tips for Mexican Chicken Salad
Make-Ahead Tips
This Mexican Chicken Salad is perfect for prepping ahead of time! Simply chop all your ingredients and store them separately in airtight containers. When you're ready to serve, just mix everything. It’ll stay fresh in the fridge for 1-2 days, making it a super easy option for busy weeks or spontaneous BBQs.
Storing the Dressing
To keep things crisp and fresh, store the dressing separately. That way, you can pour it on right before serving to avoid any sogginess. This ensures that the zesty lime and creamy cotija maintain their full flavor until the very last bite.
Best Storage Practices
Once your salad is tossed together, keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. For the best results, enjoy it within 1-2 days. If you’ve got any leftovers with rotisserie chicken or freshly grilled chicken, they’re good to keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. And don’t forget, it’s a breeze to whip up when you're craving something fresh and flavorful!
FAQ's
Absolutely! You can grill or roast fresh corn on the cob for an even smokier flavor. Just slice off the kernels and mix them into your salad for that delicious, grilled corn taste.
Yes! If you’re looking for alternatives, you can easily swap the chicken for shredded rotisserie chicken or even tofu for a vegetarian version. Both will still pair wonderfully with the salad's smoky, tangy flavors.
While lime crema dressing is the perfect match for this salad, you can easily swap it for a ranch dressing or a cilantro-lime vinaigrette for a tangy twist. The key is keeping that balance of creamy, tangy, and smoky!
Yes, this Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad is naturally gluten-free as it doesn’t contain any wheat-based ingredients. However, if you decide to serve it with tostadas, make sure you’re using gluten-free tostadas.
If you're not a fan of mayo, you can substitute with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier dressing. You could also use avocado for a creamy, dairy-free option that will still keep the texture rich and smooth.
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:
Rate This Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad!
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Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Salad Dressing
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen fire-roasted corn thawed
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded or cubed
- ½ cup red onion finely chopped
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
- ¼ cup cotija cheese crumbled
Garnish
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- ¼ cup tortilla chips crushed
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lime juice, olive oil, chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Mix the fire-roasted corn, cubed fajita chicken, red onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and crumbled cotija cheese in a large bowl.
- Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss everything together until evenly coated.
- Divide the mixed salad greens among plates and top with the corn and chicken mixture.
- Top with a sprinkle of crushed tortilla chips for extra crunch.
Notes
- Make Ahead: If making ahead, prep all ingredients separately and store them in the fridge, then mix everything just before serving for the best texture.
- Storage: Keep the salad and dressing in separate containers to prevent sogginess; mix only what you plan to eat.
- Serving: This salad is best enjoyed fresh, topped with crunchy tortilla chips right before serving.
- Substitutions: Use feta instead of cotija, rotisserie or grilled chicken instead of fajita-seasoned chicken, and canned or frozen corn if fresh isn’t available.
- Variations: Add black beans for extra protein, diced avocado for creaminess, or sliced jalapeños for a spicy kick.
Nutrition
Tina says
This salad is so fresh and yummy! Perfect for the upcoming warm weather!
Madhu (Author) says
Thank you so much! I totally agree, fresh salads like this are the best when the weather warms up!
Tina says
This recipe is not only delicious but the colors are so pretty! Perfect for spring and summer!
Madhu (Author) says
Thank you so much! I'm so glad you love the colors—it really does make it feel like spring and summer on a plate!
Abi says
The salad sounds amazing, especially the dressing! Can't wait to this recipe!
Madhu (Author) says
Thank you! The dressing really makes the salad pop, hope you love it! Can't wait to hear how it turns out!