Here’s a detailed recipe for Street Corn Chicken Casserole — a rich, cheesy, and flavor-packed dish inspired by Mexican street corn (Elote) with tender chicken, corn, spices, and a creamy base. It’s easy to prepare and great for feeding a family or a crowd.
🌽 Street Corn Chicken Casserole Recipe
📌 Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
🐔 For the Base:
- 2–3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
(rotisserie or leftover chicken works great) - 3 cups corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned – drained)
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles (optional for mild heat)
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped (optional for color and crunch)
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions or red onion
🧀 For the Sauce:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup crumbled Cotija cheese (or feta)
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
🧅 Toppings (Optional):
- Extra shredded cheese or Cotija
- Chopped cilantro
- Tajín or chili powder
- Lime wedges
- Crushed tortilla chips or jalapeños
🍳 Instructions
1. Preheat Oven
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or similar casserole pan.
2. Mix the Sauce
- In a large mixing bowl, combine:
- Cream cheese
- Sour cream
- Mayonnaise
- Lime juice
- Chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Stir until creamy and smooth.
3. Add Main Ingredients
- To the sauce, fold in:
- Chicken
- Corn
- Green chiles
- Bell pepper
- Onion
- Shredded cheese and Cotija
Mix everything until well combined.
4. Assemble & Bake
- Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish.
- Top with a handful of shredded cheese or Cotija (optional).
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until hot and bubbly and cheese is melted.
5. Finish & Serve
- Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
- Top with chopped cilantro, a sprinkle of Tajín or chili powder, and a squeeze of fresh lime.
- Serve as-is or with tortilla chips, rice, or a side salad.
🔁 Variations
- Make it Spicy: Add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce.
- Low-Carb Option: Use cauliflower rice in place of corn (not traditional, but works).
- Meat Swap: Use ground chicken or turkey for a different texture.
- Add Beans: Black beans go well and add protein.
❓FAQs – Street Corn Chicken Casserole
🔹 Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble everything up to a day in advance. Cover and refrigerate, then bake when ready. Add 5–10 minutes to the baking time if cold.
🔹 Can I freeze it?
Absolutely. Cool the baked casserole completely, then wrap well and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat in the oven at 350°F.
🔹 What type of corn works best?
- Fresh corn (cut off the cob) has the best texture.
- Frozen corn is convenient — thaw and drain first.
- Canned corn works too — drain very well.
🔹 Can I use low-fat ingredients?
Yes — swap:
- Light sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Low-fat cream cheese
- Reduced-fat cheese
It will still be creamy but slightly less rich.
🔹 What can I serve this with?
- Warm tortillas or tortilla chips
- Mexican rice or cilantro-lime rice
- Green salad with avocado
- Black beans or refried beans
Would you like a printable recipe card, a meal-prep version, or a one-pan stovetop variation?