Crispy Corn Chicken Tacos Recipe: Fun Family Fiesta Flavor

Sizzling skillets and tantalizing aromas fill the kitchen when you whip up these mouthwatering corn chicken tacos recipe that promise pure culinary delight.

Mexican-inspired flavors dance across your plate with every single bite.

Tender chicken nestles perfectly inside crisp corn tortillas, creating a symphony of textures and tastes.

Spices blend seamlessly, turning ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Each taco delivers a burst of fresh ingredients and zesty seasonings that spark excitement at dinnertime.

Weekend meals or weeknight dinners get an automatic upgrade with this simple yet spectacular dish.

Dive into these tacos and unlock a world of delicious possibilities that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredient List for Corn Chicken Tacos

• Cashews: Creamy foundation that provides richness and smooth texture, select raw unsalted cashews for best blending results.
• Jalapeno: Adds spicy kick and vibrant heat, choose firm peppers with bright green color for maximum flavor.
• Garlic: Delivers pungent depth, pick fresh cloves without sprouts or soft spots.
• Lime: Brings tangy brightness, select firm citrus with smooth, glossy skin.

• Chicken Thighs: Rich and juicy meat that absorbs marinades beautifully, choose bone-in or boneless with good marbling.
• Olive Oil: Helps distribute spices and creates tender texture, opt for extra virgin for robust flavor.
• Cumin: Earthy spice that adds warmth, use freshly ground for most intense taste.
• Coriander: Provides subtle citrusy undertones, whole seeds ground just before use offer maximum potency.
• Turmeric: Offers golden color and subtle earthiness, select bright orange-yellow powder.
• Cayenne Pepper: Introduces optional heat, adjust quantity based on spice preference.

• Corn: Sweet and charred base for salsa, pick fresh ears with plump, tightly packed kernels.
• Corn Tortillas: Traditional wrap with soft texture, look for flexible, preservative-free options.
• Avocado: Creamy element adding richness, choose slightly soft fruits without bruising.
• Red Onion: Sharp flavor enhancer, select firm bulbs with tight, shiny skin.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb providing brightness, pick vibrant green leaves without wilting.

Tools You’ll Need for Corn Chicken Tacos

• Blender: Essential for creating the smooth, creamy jalapeno lime cashew sauce.
• Large bowl: Perfect for marinating chicken with spices and ensuring even coating.
• Grill: Key for cooking chicken thighs and corn to smoky, charred perfection.
• Medium bowl: Ideal for mixing grilled corn salsa ingredients.
• Cutting board: Necessary for chopping chicken, avocado, and other ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Required for precise cutting of chicken, corn kernels, and vegetables.
• Tongs: Helpful for turning corn and chicken on the grill safely.
• Plate: Used for resting cooked chicken and keeping it warm.
• Foil: Covers chicken to retain heat after grilling.

How to Make Corn Chicken Tacos

• Cashew Sauce Preparation

Soak cashews in warm water for two hours or quickly boil and let sit. Blend softened cashews with water, jalapeno, garlic, lime juice, and seasonings until silky smooth. Adjust liquid for desired consistency.

• Chicken Flavor Infusion

Massage chicken thighs with aromatic spices like cumin, coriander, and herbs. Let flavors mingle and deepen for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.

• Corn and Protein Grilling

Fire up the grill to high heat. Coat corn and chicken with olive oil and spices. Grill corn until charred and caramelized, and chicken until perfectly cooked and juicy.

• Fresh Salsa Creation

Cut grilled corn kernels and mix with creamy avocado, spicy jalapenos, zesty cilantro, and tangy red onion. Squeeze fresh lime and season to enhance the vibrant flavors.

• Taco Assembly

Warm tortillas briefly on the grill. Spread creamy cashew sauce, layer with tender chicken pieces, and top with colorful corn salsa. Garnish with extra herbs and drizzle of sauce for a mouthwatering finish.

Tips & Variations for Corn Chicken Tacos

• Soak wood chips in water for 30 minutes before grilling to infuse smoky depth into chicken and corn, creating an irresistible charred taste sensation.
• Adjust cayenne and jalapeno quantities to personalize heat intensity, allowing everyone from mild-loving to fire-breathing guests to enjoy these tacos comfortably.
• Marinate chicken overnight in refrigerator to maximize flavor absorption, making weeknight dinners faster and more delicious with minimal morning effort.
• Swap cashew sauce with avocado crema by blending ripe avocados, lime juice, cilantro, and salt for a creamy, plant-based topping that maintains rich texture.
• Replace chicken with grilled shrimp, black beans, or plant-based chicken alternatives to create versatile tacos that accommodate different dietary preferences and nutritional needs.

Serving Ideas for Corn Chicken Tacos

• Grill Party Perfection: Transform this taco recipe into a vibrant backyard gathering where friends can build their own tacos with various toppings and sauces.
• Picnic Style Platter: Arrange all ingredients separately on a large platter, allowing everyone to assemble their tacos with customized combinations of chicken, salsa, and cashew sauce.
• Fresh Flavor Boost: Serve with extra lime wedges, chopped cilantro, and sliced jalapenos on the side so guests can enhance their tacos with additional zesty touches.
• Meal Prep Champion: Prepare chicken, corn salsa, and cashew sauce in advance, storing separately in airtight containers for quick assembly during busy weeknights or lunch prep.

Storage Plan for Corn Chicken Tacos

• Smart Storage Solutions
• Refrigerator Strategy: Store leftover chicken, salsa, and cashew sauce separately in airtight containers for maximum freshness, keeping ingredients crisp for 3-4 days.
• Freezer Friendly Prep: Marinated chicken and cashew sauce can be frozen up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating gently to maintain tenderness.
• Sauce Separation Trick: Cashew sauce might separate when stored; simply stir or blend briefly to restore smooth consistency before serving.
• Taco Assembly Hack: Keep tortillas, grilled chicken, salsa, and sauce in separate containers to prevent sogginess, allowing flexible meal preparation throughout the week.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 420 kcal

Servings: 5

Crispy Corn Chicken Tacos

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• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Mexican street corn chicken tacos blend smoky grilled flavors with creamy, zesty toppings. Crisp tortillas and succulent chicken create a perfect handheld meal packed with authentic southwestern charm.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp oregano
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 ears corn, washed
• 2 tsp olive oil
• ½ tsp cumin
• ½ tsp chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1 jalapeno, thinly sliced
• ⅓ cup finely diced cilantro
• ¼ cup finely diced red onion
• 1 lime, juiced
• Freshly ground salt and pepper
• ½ cup raw cashews
• ⅓ cup water (plus more to thin if necessary)
• 1 medium jalapeno, seeded
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 8 soft corn tortillas
• Extra thinly sliced

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Instructions

1. Sauce Preparation: Soften cashews through quick boiling or prolonged soaking, then blend with water, jalapeno, garlic, lime juice, seasonings until creamy and smooth. Reserve sauce for final assembly.
2. Chicken Marination: Coat chicken thighs with olive oil and robust spice blend including cumin, coriander, turmeric, garlic powder, oregano, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Allow flavors to penetrate for minimum 30 minutes.
3. Corn and Grilling Technique: Coat corn with olive oil and complementary spices. Ignite grill to 400°F, simultaneously roasting corn and chicken. Rotate corn until beautifully charred and caramelized, cooking chicken until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
4. Salsa Creation: Transform grilled corn into vibrant salsa by combining kernels with diced avocado, jalapeno, cilantro, red onion, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Slice rested chicken into delectable bite-sized pieces.
5. Taco Assembly: Quickly char tortillas for enhanced flavor profile. Spread luxurious cashew sauce, layer spice-infused chicken, crown with zesty corn salsa, garnish with additional jalapenos and fresh cilantro. Finish with another drizzle of creamy cashew sauce.

Notes

• Cashew Sauce Prep: Soak or boil cashews to ensure ultra-creamy, smooth texture without graininess.
• Marinate Strategically: Let chicken absorb spices for maximum flavor depth; longer marination means more intense taste.
• Grill Temperature Matters: Maintain consistent 400°F heat for perfect charring and caramelization on corn and chicken.
• Resting Meat Crucial: Allow grilled chicken to rest under foil, guaranteeing juicy, tender meat with sealed-in moisture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg