Get ready to meet your new favorite weeknight dinner. This Street Corn Chicken Casserole takes all the irresistible, zesty flavors of classic Mexican Elote and transforms them into a warm, bubbly, and incredibly satisfying bake. It’s creamy, cheesy, and packed with seasoned chicken and sweet corn, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s surprisingly easy to whip up.
Whether you need a standout dish for a potluck or a simple and delicious meal for the family, this recipe delivers. You get the smoky spice, the tangy lime, and the savory cheese all in one perfect bite.
Why You’ll Love This Street Corn Chicken Casserole Recipe
This isn’t just another casserole; it’s a flavor explosion that brings something truly special to the table. Here’s why this will become a staple in your meal rotation:
- Incredibly Flavorful: It perfectly captures the authentic taste of Mexican street corn with chili powder, cumin, cotija cheese, and a fresh squeeze of lime.
- Quick and Easy: Using pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken makes this dish come together in a flash. It’s the perfect solution for a busy weeknight.
- Creamy & Comforting: A rich, savory base of cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise creates a luscious texture that’s pure comfort food. For another cheesy and comforting dish, you might also love this White Cheddar Mac and Cheese.
- Perfectly Customizable: You can easily adjust the spice level, add beans, or swap out cheeses to make it your own.
The Key Ingredients for Authentic Elote Flavor
The magic of this dish lies in its simple yet powerful combination of ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building that classic street corn taste.
- Chicken: Shredded rotisserie chicken is the ultimate time-saver. You can also use any cooked, shredded chicken you have on hand.
- Corn: Fire-roasted corn adds a fantastic smoky depth, but regular canned or frozen corn works beautifully too. Just be sure to drain it well!
- The Creamy Base: A trio of cream cheese, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), and mayonnaise creates the rich, tangy foundation.
- Cheese Please: A blend of shredded Monterey Jack provides that glorious cheese-pull, while crumbled Cotija cheese delivers a salty, authentic finish.
- Spices & Aromatics: Chili powder, smoked paprika, and cumin provide warmth and smokiness. Garlic and finely diced jalapeño add a necessary kick.
- The Finishing Touches: Fresh cilantro and a generous squeeze of lime juice cut through the richness and brighten everything up.
How to Make Street Corn Chicken Casserole
Follow these simple steps to create a casserole that’s bursting with flavor. The process is straightforward, ensuring you get a perfect result every time.
- Preheat and Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly greasing a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Mix the Creamy Base: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and garlic powder. Mix until everything is smooth and well-combined.
- Combine Ingredients: Gently fold in the shredded chicken, corn, half of the Monterey Jack cheese, half of the Cotija cheese, diced jalapeño, and fresh cilantro. Stir until all the ingredients are evenly coated in the creamy sauce.
- Assemble the Casserole: Spread the mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish. Top it with the remaining Monterey Jack and Cotija cheeses.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the cheese on top is golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with an extra sprinkle of fresh cilantro, a dash of chili powder, and serve with extra lime wedges on the side.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Casserole
Want to take your Street Corn Chicken Casserole to the next level? Keep these simple tips in mind.
- Don’t Skip the Char: If you’re using regular frozen or canned corn, consider charring it in a hot, dry skillet for a few minutes before adding it to the mix. This adds a wonderful smoky flavor that mimics grilled street corn.
- Room Temperature Dairy: For the creamiest, smoothest sauce, make sure your cream cheese and sour cream are at room temperature before you start mixing. This helps everything combine without lumps.
- Fresh Lime is Best: While bottled lime juice works in a pinch, the vibrant, tangy flavor of freshly squeezed lime juice makes a huge difference in cutting through the richness of the casserole.
Customizations and Variations
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to adapt. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Add Some Beans: Stir in a can of drained and rinsed black beans for extra fiber and texture.
- Up the Heat: If you love spicy food, add more diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the mixture.
- Different Cheeses: Feel free to experiment with other cheeses. A Colby Jack or a classic sharp cheddar would also be delicious. If you are a fan of chicken and cheese, this Chicken Biscuit Casserole is a must try.
What to Serve with Your Casserole
This Street Corn Chicken Casserole is a fantastic all-in-one meal, but it also pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Serve it with a scoop of cilantro-lime rice, a simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing, or simply use tortilla chips for scooping it up like a dip. For a truly hearty meal, try it alongside these Easy Roasted Fingerling Potatoes.
Storing, Reheating, and Making Ahead
This dish is just as delicious the next day! Here’s how to handle leftovers:
- Storing: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: You can reheat individual portions in the microwave or place the entire casserole dish back in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
- Making Ahead: You can assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance. Just cover it tightly and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, add about 5-10 minutes to the baking time since it will be starting from cold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this is a great make-ahead dish. You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
Absolutely! If using frozen corn, make sure to thaw it and pat it dry to remove excess moisture. If using fresh corn, we recommend grilling or charring it first to enhance its sweet, smoky flavor.
To increase the heat, you can add more finely diced jalapeños, leave the seeds in, or add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the creamy mixture.
If you can’t find Cotija cheese, a great substitute is Feta cheese, as it has a similar salty and crumbly texture. You could also use a finely grated Parmesan as an alternative.
This casserole is very versatile. It pairs well with cilantro-lime rice, a simple green salad, or tortilla chips for scooping. You can also serve it as a main course with a side of black beans.
The Ultimate Street Corn Chicken Casserole Recipe
Street Corn Chicken Casserole: The Creamy, Cheesy Dish You'll Crave
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and garlic powder. Mix until smooth.
- Gently fold in the shredded chicken, corn, 1 cup of the Monterey Jack cheese, 1/4 cup of the Cotija cheese, diced jalapeño, and fresh cilantro. Stir until evenly combined.
- Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup Monterey Jack and 1/4 cup Cotija cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with additional fresh cilantro and a sprinkle of chili powder before serving.
Notes
Use a rotisserie chicken for a quick and easy shortcut.
Ensure cream cheese is fully softened for a smooth, lump-free sauce.
Share Your Creation!
We are confident this Street Corn Chicken Casserole will be a new favorite in your home. It’s the perfect blend of comfort and flavor, and we can’t wait for you to try it. If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment below and let us know what you think! Don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest!
