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Street Corn Chicken Salad

Street Corn Chicken Salad
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Street Corn Chicken Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring smoky grilled corn, tender chicken, and a creamy, tangy dressing with bold spices. Perfect for summer meals or quick weeknight dinners, this salad bursts with color and texture, offering a healthy and satisfying option that is easy to prepare, customizable, and packed with lean protein, fiber, and fresh ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Grilled Corn

  • 3 ears of fresh corn (or 2 cups frozen corn), grilled or charred slightly

Chicken

  • 2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded or diced

Creamy Dressing

  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 lime, freshly squeezed (about 2 tablespoons lime juice)
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Cheese

  • 1/3 cup crumbled cotija or feta cheese

Fresh Herbs & Vegetables

  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • Optional: 1 jalapeño, finely chopped (adjust to taste)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Corn: Grill fresh corn on the cob over medium-high heat until slightly charred on all sides, about 10 minutes, turning regularly. Once cooled, cut the kernels off the cob and set aside.
  2. Cook and Shred Chicken: Poach or grill chicken breasts seasoned simply with salt and pepper, then shred or dice them into bite-sized pieces. Ensure the chicken is juicy and tender for the best texture.
  3. Mix the Dressing: Combine mayonnaise, freshly squeezed lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk together until smooth and creamy, adjusting seasoning to taste.
  4. Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the grilled corn kernels, cooked chicken, chopped red onion, crumbled cotija cheese, and chopped cilantro. Pour the dressing over and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
  5. Finish and Chill: For the best flavor meld, chill the salad for 20 to 30 minutes in the refrigerator before serving, allowing the vibrant flavors to develop beautifully.

Notes

  • Char the corn perfectly to add essential smoky depth to the salad.
  • Use fresh lime juice for brighter, fresher flavors instead of bottled juice.
  • Keep onion slices thin to balance crunch without overpowering creaminess.
  • Season in layers and adjust salt and chili powder to achieve perfect taste.
  • Chill the salad before serving to let flavors marry and deepen.

Nutrition

Keywords: street corn chicken salad, grilled corn salad, summer salad, chicken salad, smoky corn salad, quick dinner, healthy salad, gluten free, easy recipe

Find it online: https://marygourmet.com/street-corn-chicken-salad/