Street Corn Creamy Cucumber Chicken (Printable)

Vibrant grilled chicken and charred corn salad with crisp cucumbers in creamy tangy dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 ears corn on the cob (or 1½ cups frozen corn, thawed)
03 - 1 large English cucumber, diced
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
06 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Dressing

07 - ⅓ cup mayonnaise
08 - ¼ cup sour cream
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
10 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
11 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
13 - ¼ teaspoon salt
14 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Toppings

15 - ⅓ cup cotija cheese, crumbled (or feta as substitute)
16 - Extra cilantro and lime wedges, for serving

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts with a pinch each of salt, pepper, and chili powder. Grill chicken for 6–7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove and let rest 5 minutes, then dice into bite-sized pieces.
02 - Place corn cobs on the grill, turning occasionally, until lightly charred for 8–10 minutes. Let cool, then slice kernels off the cob. If using frozen corn, sauté in a dry skillet over high heat until lightly charred.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
04 - Add diced chicken, charred corn, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro to the bowl with dressing. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
05 - Sprinkle with cotija cheese and extra cilantro. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes for enhanced flavor. Garnish with lime wedges if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The smoky charred corn brings authentic street corn flavor to every forkful
  • Creamy tangy dressing clings to crisp vegetables without weighing them down
  • Protein rich grilled chicken turns this light salad into a satisfying meal
02 -
  • Chilling the salad for thirty minutes allows the flavors to meld and develop deeper complexity
  • Grilling corn directly over the flame creates authentic char that a skillet cannot replicate
  • Letting the chicken rest prevents all those precious juices from escaping onto the cutting board
03 -
  • Stand the corn cob upright in a bowl while cutting to contain the flying kernels
  • The dressing tastes even better after an hour in the refrigerator

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