Street Corn Chicken Salad (15 Minute Recipe)

Name: Street Corn Chicken Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked chicken (diced or shredded (rotisserie works great)); 12 oz fire-roasted corn (drained if canned, thawed and warmed up if frozen); 1 jalapeño (seeded and finely diced); 1 bell pepper (diced); 1 avocado (diced); ⅓ cup fresh cilantro (chopped); ¾ cup cotija cheese (crumbled); ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt; ⅓ cup avocado oil mayonnaise; Juice of 1 lime; ½ tsp sea salt (or to taste); ½ tsp chili powder; ½ tsp cumin; ½ tsp paprika; ½ tsp garlic powder

This Street Corn Chicken Salad tastes like your classic favorite decided to become a complete meal. Shredded rotisserie chicken, fire-roasted corn, diced jalapeño and bell pepper, creamy avocado, fresh cilantro, and a generous crumble of cotija cheese, all tossed in a cilantro lime crema made from Greek yogurt, avocado oil mayo, lime juice, and a warm spice blend of chili powder, cumin, and paprika. Every element of a classic elote is present and every bite delivers the smoky, tangy, slightly spicy, creamy combination that makes street corn one of the most beloved foods in Mexican cuisine.

A wooden bowl filled with a mixed salad featuring creamy dressing, diced avocado, red bell peppers, fresh cilantro, roasted corn kernels, grated cheese, and shredded chicken.

A Quick Look At This Recipe

Recipe Name: Street Corn Chicken Salad
Serves: 4
Main Ingredients: cooked chicken, fire-roasted corn, jalapeño, bell pepper, avocado, fresh cilantro, cotija cheese
Why You'll Love It: This street corn chicken salad combines shredded chicken, fire-roasted corn, jalapeño, avocado, and cotija cheese with a creamy cilantro lime crema. Ready in 15 minutes and perfect for meal prep.

The crema is what makes this salad unlike anything else in a weeknight rotation. Greek yogurt and mayo together create a base that is creamy without being heavy, and the lime juice, chili powder, and cumin make it taste specifically like the sauce on a great elote rather than just a generic creamy dressing. It clings to the corn and chicken and coats every piece of avocado and cotija in something that makes every forkful taste complete. Fifteen minutes, one bowl, and a salad that works as a meal served over rice, tucked into tortillas, spooned into lettuce cups, or eaten straight from the bowl with a fork.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It tastes exactly like Mexican street corn in salad form. Fire-roasted corn, cotija, cilantro, lime, and chili-spiced crema are the defining elements of elote and they’re all present and correct in every bite of this salad.

The crema is genuinely outstanding. Greek yogurt and avocado oil mayo with lime, cumin, chili powder, and paprika produces a dressing that is creamy, bright, slightly spicy, and deeply flavorful in a way that bottled dressing can’t replicate.

It’s ready in 15 minutes. With rotisserie chicken and canned fire-roasted corn, this salad is truly just a matter of chopping, mixing, and tossing. There is no cooking required.

– Lyuda

Ingredients Needed to Make Street Corn Chicken Salad

The Salad

Cooked chicken, diced or shredded (rotisserie chicken is the fastest and most flavorful option)
Fire-roasted corn (canned fire-roasted corn is the most convenient; the charred, slightly smoky flavor is built in and essential to the street corn profile)
Jalapeño, seeded and finely diced (raw for heat and crunch, briefly sautéed for a milder, softer result)
Bell pepper, diced (adds sweetness and color)
Avocado, diced (adds creaminess and healthy fat; add fresh right before serving)
Fresh cilantro, chopped (the herby freshness that ties all the Mexican flavors together)
Cotija cheese, crumbled (the salty, slightly tangy Mexican cheese that is the classic street corn topping)

The Cilantro Lime Crema

Sea salt
Plain Greek yogurt (the lighter, protein-rich base)
Avocado oil mayonnaise (adds richness and creaminess alongside the yogurt)
Fresh lime juice (the brightness that makes the crema taste specifically like a street corn sauce)
Chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder (the warm spice blend that seasons the crema throughout)

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

How to Make Street Corn Chicken Salad

Step 1: Prep the Jalapeño

If you want full heat and crunch, use the jalapeño raw. If you prefer less heat, add the diced jalapeño to a small skillet over medium heat and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. The heat removes some of the raw sharpness and produces a milder, slightly sweeter jalapeño that distributes more evenly through the salad. Let it cool slightly before adding to the bowl.

Step 2: Build the Salad Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded or diced chicken, fire-roasted corn, jalapeño, diced bell pepper, diced avocado, fresh cilantro, and crumbled cotija. Toss gently to distribute everything evenly without breaking down the avocado completely.

A creamy dressing is being poured from a jar onto a salad topped with grated cheese, diced tomatoes, corn, greens, and avocado slices.

A wooden bowl filled with chopped red bell pepper, avocado slices, cilantro, chicken, roasted corn, and a small bowl of grated cheese being added on top.

Step 3: Make the Cilantro Lime Crema

In a separate bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, avocado oil mayo, fresh lime juice, sea salt, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder until completely smooth and well combined. Taste the crema on its own and adjust the lime juice or salt as needed. It should taste bright, creamy, slightly spicy, and deeply seasoned.

Step 4: Toss and Serve

Pour the crema over the salad and toss gently until every component is evenly coated. Taste and adjust the salt or lime juice in the finished salad as needed. Serve immediately or refrigerate with the dressing on the side for meal prep.

A wooden bowl filled with a colorful salad featuring grilled corn, diced tomatoes, avocado slices, fresh cilantro, crumbled cheese, and a creamy dressing. The background shows green leaves slightly out of focus.

If you are looking for more quick dinner recipes, you’ll love my Burger Bowls and Unstuffed Pepper Skillet!

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Store in a sealed airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For the best texture throughout the storage period, keep the avocado and crema separate from the rest of the salad and combine fresh before each serving. The chicken, corn, bell pepper, jalapeño, cilantro, and cotija hold up well together for 3 days without any quality loss.

The crema stores separately in a sealed jar for up to 5 days and gets slightly more developed in flavor as it sits. Give it a quick whisk before using each time since some separation may occur.

Do not freeze this salad. The creamy dressing separates and becomes watery after freezing and thawing, and the avocado turns dark and grainy. Enjoy it fresh or from the refrigerator.

Serving Suggestions

Serve in a large bowl with extra cotija crumbled over the top, an extra squeeze of lime, and a drizzle of the crema for visual appeal. A few cilantro leaves and a light dusting of chili powder on top make the presentation look composed and intentional.

For a taco night spread, set the salad out alongside warm corn or flour tortillas and let guests build their own tacos by scooping it straight from the bowl. A bowl of chips alongside for scooping is equally excellent and turns the salad into an appetizer spread. For a heartier meal, serve over cilantro lime rice with extra crema on the side.

For a full Tex-Mex spread, pair alongside my Street Corn Chicken Potato Bowl for a table that showcases street corn flavors two completely different ways. And for another quick chicken salad in a completely different direction that works equally well for meal prep, this High-Protein Tzatziki Chicken Salad is a natural companion recipe worth keeping in the same weekly rotation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Street Corn Chicken Salad

What is cotija cheese and can I substitute it?

Cotija is a Mexican aged cheese made from cow’s milk with a firm, crumbly texture and a salty, slightly tangy flavor. It’s the classic topping for elote and is what gives this salad its authentic street corn character. It’s available at most grocery stores near the specialty cheeses or in the Latin foods section. If you can’t find cotija, crumbled feta is the closest substitute in terms of texture and saltiness. Queso fresco is a milder, fresher Mexican cheese that also works well.

What is fire-roasted corn and where do I find it?

Fire-roasted corn is corn that has been charred over an open flame before being canned or frozen, which produces a slightly smoky, caramelized flavor that regular sweet corn doesn’t have. It’s the detail that makes this salad taste like actual street corn rather than just a corn salad. It’s widely available in the canned vegetable aisle at most grocery stores. Brands like Trader Joe’s and Del Monte both make excellent versions. If you can’t find fire-roasted corn, char regular canned or thawed frozen corn in a hot dry skillet without any oil for 3 to 4 minutes until blackened spots develop.

Can I use Greek yogurt only and skip the mayo?

es. Substitute the mayonnaise with an equal additional amount of Greek yogurt for a lighter, all-yogurt crema. The result will be tangier and slightly less rich than the combined version. A small drizzle of olive oil stirred into an all-yogurt crema adds back some of the richness the mayo provides.

How do I prevent the avocado from browning?

Add the avocado right before serving rather than mixing it in when assembling the salad for storage. Tossing the diced avocado pieces in a small squeeze of lime juice before adding them also slows the browning process if you need to assemble slightly ahead. For meal prep, keep the avocado in a separate container and add fresh to each portion at serving time.

If you make this, I’d love to hear how it turned out – a star rating or a note in the comments helps others find the recipe and helps me know what’s working in your kitchen. Tag me @gracefilledkitchen in your photos on social media so I can see your creations.