Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken Recipe
This Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken is a flavorful, creamy dish combining juicy chicken breasts or thighs with sweet corn, tangy cotija cheese, and a kick of chili powder. Slow-cooked to tender perfection, it offers a rich, satisfying meal inspired by the popular Mexican street corn, perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or meal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours on LOW or 2-3 hours on HIGH
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes (LOW) or 2 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 10 minutes (HIGH)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 1 lb Boneless Chicken Breasts or Thighs (Thighs for richer flavor, breasts for a leaner option)
Vegetables & Dairy
- 2 cups Corn (Fresh grilled, frozen, or canned corn)
- 4 oz Cream Cheese (Can use vegan alternatives like Tofutti or Kite Hill)
- 1/3 cup Cotija Cheese (Feta works as a substitute)
Seasonings & Flavorings
- 1 lime, juiced (Freshly squeezed preferred)
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced (Jarred minced garlic can be used)
- 1/2 tsp Chili Powder (Can substitute chipotle or cayenne for more heat)
- 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika (Adds smokiness)
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- Fresh Cilantro, for garnish (Optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Gather all the ingredients and prep the lime by juicing it. Mince the garlic cloves and measure out all spices and cheeses.
- Layer Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place the boneless chicken breasts or thighs at the bottom of the slow cooker. Layer the corn evenly on top, followed by dollops of cream cheese, sprinkle the cotija cheese, then add the freshly squeezed lime juice, minced garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder without stirring to keep layers intact.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. Cook until the chicken is thoroughly cooked through, juicy, and shreds easily.
- Shred and Mix: Using two forks, shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker pot. Stir all ingredients together to combine flavors and achieve creamy consistency. Optionally, adjust the consistency by adding a bit of chicken broth or milk if the mixture is too thick.
- Garnish and Serve: Serve the shredded chicken mixture topped with freshly chopped cilantro for an extra burst of flavor and freshness. Enjoy warm as a complete meal or as a filling for tacos and wraps.
Notes
- Using thighs yields a richer flavor, while breasts provide a leaner dish.
- Fresh, grilled corn adds the best smoky flavor, but frozen or canned corn are convenient alternatives.
- For a vegan version, substitute cream cheese with vegan cream cheese alternatives and use plant-based chicken substitutes.
- Adjust chili powder amount to control spice level.
- For a thinner consistency, stir in some chicken broth or milk after shredding the chicken.
- This dish pairs well with rice, tortillas, or over a salad for a lighter option.
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, street corn chicken, Mexican slow cooker recipe, creamy chicken recipe, easy slow cooker meals
