Description
This Street Corn Chicken Casserole takes all the bold, smoky, creamy flavors of Mexican street corn (elote) and turns them into a cozy, comforting bake. Tender shredded chicken, sweet corn, tangy lime, and plenty of melty cheese come together in one easy pan for a weeknight-friendly dinner that tastes like a fiesta in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 2 cups corn (fresh, frozen, or canned, drained)
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup shredded Mexican-blend cheese (or cheddar + Monterey Jack)
- ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese (or feta)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro (optional)
- Optional topping: ½–1 cup crushed tortilla chips or breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a little oil.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Add the shredded chicken, corn, shredded Mexican-blend cheese, and cilantro (if using) to the bowl. Stir until everything is evenly coated in the creamy sauce.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out into an even layer.
- Sprinkle the crumbled cotija cheese evenly over the top. If you like a crunchy topping, add a layer of crushed tortilla chips or breadcrumbs as well.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly around the edges, and lightly golden on top.
- For extra browning, switch the oven to broil and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes, watching carefully so it doesn’t burn.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra cilantro, lime wedges, or more cotija if desired, then dig in.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken to keep this recipe fast and easy.
- If using frozen corn, there’s no need to thaw completely; just break up any large clumps before mixing.
- Taste the sauce before adding the chicken and corn and adjust salt, pepper, and lime to your liking.
- The casserole thickens slightly as it cools, so let it rest a few minutes before scooping.
- Spice level is mild as written add more chili powder or a pinch of cayenne if you want extra heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Casserole
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired, Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: Approx. 420
- Sugar: Approx. 4 g
- Sodium: Approx. 780 mg
- Fat: Approx. 30 g
- Saturated Fat: Approx. 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approx. 17 g
- Trans Fat: Approx. 0 g
- Carbohydrates: Approx. 13 g
- Fiber: Approx. 2 g
- Protein: Approx. 25 g
- Cholesterol: Approx. 105 mg
Keywords: street corn chicken casserole, Mexican street corn bake, elote casserole, easy chicken casserole, weeknight dinner