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Street Corn Chicken Chili Recipe

4.6 from 91 reviews

This delicious Street Corn Chicken Chili combines the smoky, spicy flavors of street corn with tender ground chicken, creating a hearty and flavorful chili. With sweet corn kernels, jalapenos, and a blend of chili powder, paprika, and cumin, simmered in chicken broth and enhanced with sour cream and fresh lime juice, this dish offers a perfect balance of heat and creaminess. Ideal for cozy dinners or gatherings, it’s a unique twist on classic chili that’s easy to prepare and packed with vibrant taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 to 4 jalapeno peppers, seeds removed and diced
  • 6 to 8 ears corn on the cob, kernels cut from cob
  • Kosher salt and pepper to taste
  • 6 to 8 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 pounds ground chicken
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 3/4 cup beer (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon chicken base (e.g., Better Than Bouillon)
  • A few dashes of hot sauce of choice
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup chopped cilantro
  • 3 tablespoons lime juice

Optional Toppings

  • Additional cilantro
  • Crumbled cotija cheese
  • Extra chili powder
  • Lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Sauté Vegetables: Heat a large soup pot over medium heat and add olive oil. Add diced onion, jalapeno peppers, corn kernels, kosher salt, and pepper, cooking for 7 to 9 minutes. Stir occasionally until the vegetables soften and develop some color.
  2. Cook Chicken and Season: Add minced garlic, ground chicken, chili powder, paprika, cumin, additional kosher salt, and pepper to the pot. Cook for another 7 to 9 minutes, stirring frequently and breaking apart the chicken with a spatula until it is browned and cooked through.
  3. Simmer Chili: Pour in the chicken broth, beer (if using), and chicken base. Bring the mixture to a boil before reducing the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer gently for 25 to 30 minutes to develop the flavors.
  4. Add Final Ingredients: Stir in hot sauce, sour cream, chopped cilantro, and lime juice. Continue cooking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes to blend the flavors and slightly thicken the chili.
  5. Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste and adjust the seasoning with more chili powder, kosher salt, and pepper if needed. Serve garnished with optional toppings such as extra cilantro, crumbled cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime wedges for added brightness and flavor.

Notes

  • Removing jalapeno seeds helps control the heat level in the chili.
  • Using ground chicken keeps the chili lean but still hearty.
  • The addition of beer is optional but adds a subtle depth of flavor.
  • For a creamier chili, stir in the sour cream gently to avoid curdling.
  • Leftover chili tastes great the next day as flavors deepen with time.
  • For a spicier kick, add extra hot sauce or more chili powder.

Keywords: street corn chili, ground chicken chili, spicy chicken chili, street corn recipe, chili recipe with chicken