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Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken Recipe

4.9 from 128 reviews

Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken is a creamy, comforting dish that combines tender shredded chicken with the vibrant flavors of street corn. This easy slow cooker recipe layers juicy chicken breasts or thighs with corn and a rich sauce made from cream cheese, cotija cheese, lime juice, garlic, and spices. Perfect for a hands-off meal that delivers bold, smoky, and tangy flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken

  • 1 lb Boneless Chicken Breasts or Thighs (thighs for richer flavor, breasts for leaner option)
  • 2 cups Corn (fresh grilled, frozen, or canned)

For the Sauce

  • 4 oz Cream Cheese (can use vegan alternatives like Tofutti or Kite Hill)
  • 1/3 cup Cotija Cheese (feta works as a substitute)
  • 1 Lime (juice freshly squeezed preferred)
  • 2 cloves Garlic (minced, jarred can be used)
  • 1/2 tsp Chili Powder (chipotle or cayenne can be used for more heat)
  • 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika (adds smokiness)
  • 1/2 tsp Onion Powder

For Garnish

  • Fresh Cilantro (optional)

Instructions

  1. Layer Ingredients: Place the boneless chicken breasts or thighs at the bottom of the slow cooker. Evenly layer the corn on top of the chicken, followed by dollops of cream cheese, cotija cheese, freshly squeezed lime juice, minced garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder without stirring.
  2. Slow Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. Cook until the chicken is juicy and shreds easily with a fork, ensuring it absorbs all the creamy and smoky flavors.
  3. Shred and Mix: Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. Stir all the ingredients together to combine the shredded chicken with the creamy street corn sauce. Adjust the consistency by adding a splash of broth or milk if desired.
  4. Garnish and Serve: Serve the creamy street corn chicken topped with fresh cilantro for a bright, fresh flavor boost. Enjoy as a main dish or with your favorite side.

Notes

  • Use chicken thighs for a richer, more flavorful dish; chicken breasts offer a leaner alternative.
  • Fresh grilled corn enhances the smoky street corn flavor, but frozen or canned corn works well too for convenience.
  • Vegan cream cheese alternatives can substitute traditional cream cheese to accommodate dietary restrictions.
  • Adjust the spice level by changing the chili powder type or amount.
  • If the mixture is too thick after shredding, add a little chicken broth or milk to loosen the sauce.
  • Garnish with fresh cilantro for added freshness, or add a sprinkle of extra cotija cheese for more cheesiness.

Keywords: slow cooker chicken, street corn chicken, creamy chicken recipe, easy slow cooker meals, shredded chicken, Mexican-inspired chicken, comfort food