Street Corn Chicken Casserole

A comfort food twist on Mexican street corn that transforms the beloved elote flavors into a hearty, family-friendly casserole. Tender chicken, creamy corn, and bold seasonings come together in one satisfying dish.

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 35 mins
Total Time: 55 mins
Servings: 8
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Casserole:

• 4 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed
• 1 can (14.75 oz) cream-style corn
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

For Topping:

• 1 1/2 cups Mexican cheese blend, shredded
• 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
• 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Lime wedges for serving

Instructions

1. Prep and preheat. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Season and cook chicken. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook chicken 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to prepared baking dish.
3. Create the creamy base. In a large bowl, whisk together softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, and lime juice until smooth. Stir in minced garlic, diced jalapeño, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne.
4. Combine corn mixture. Add thawed corn kernels and cream-style corn to the creamy base. Mix thoroughly until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Assemble the casserole. Pour corn mixture over chicken in the baking dish. Sprinkle Mexican cheese blend evenly over top.
6. Make crunchy topping. In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter. Toss until breadcrumbs are evenly coated.
7. Bake to perfection. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle with buttered breadcrumbs and cotija cheese. Bake uncovered 12-15 minutes more until bubbly and golden on top.
8. Finish and serve. Let cool 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

Tips for Success

Don’t skip the char: For authentic street corn flavor, char the thawed corn kernels in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes before adding to the mixture. This adds smoky depth.

Room temperature dairy: Let cream cheese come to room temperature for easy mixing. Cold cream cheese creates lumps that won’t smooth out.

Spice level control: Start with less cayenne and jalapeño, then taste and adjust. You can always add more heat, but you can’t take it away.

Make-ahead friendly: Assemble the casserole up to the baking step, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Add 10 extra minutes to the covered baking time.

Recipe Variations

Vegetarian Version: Replace chicken with black beans or diced zucchini for a meatless option that’s just as satisfying.

Spicy Heat: Add diced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for smoky heat, or increase cayenne for straight fire.

Lighter Option: Substitute Greek yogurt for half the sour cream and use reduced-fat cream cheese to cut calories without losing creaminess.

Protein Swap: Try ground turkey, chorizo, or even leftover rotisserie chicken for different flavor profiles.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover casserole covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire dish covered in a 350°F oven until heated through.

This casserole freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Nutritional Highlights

Packed with protein from chicken and calcium from cheese, this casserole provides sustained energy. Corn adds fiber and B-vitamins, while lime juice contributes vitamin C to brighten the rich, creamy base.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this street corn chicken casserole alongside Mexican rice, refried beans, or a simple green salad with lime vinaigrette. Warm flour tortillas make it easy to scoop and eat burrito-style.

For game day or casual entertaining, set out bowls of diced avocado, hot sauce, and extra lime wedges so guests can customize their portions. This crowd-pleasing dish brings the festive flavors of street food right to your dinner table.