Sizzling Fried Chicken Street Corn Taco with Jalapeño Recipe

Crispy street corn tacos dance with zesty jalapeño-infused fried chicken for an explosive culinary adventure.

Kernels of sweet corn nestle alongside perfectly golden, crunchy chicken pieces.

Mexican street food meets comfort cuisine in this mouthwatering mashup.

Spicy peppers add a kick that electrifies every single bite.

Vibrant colors and bold flavors promise a meal that ignites your taste buds.

Layers of texture create a symphony of deliciousness you cannot resist.

Each taco delivers a punch of excitement that beckons you to take another delectable bite.

Why These Chicken Street Corn Tacos Stand Out

• Savor the Ultimate Comfort Fusion
• Combine crispy fried chicken with zesty street corn salad, creating a mouthwatering blend of textures and bold Mexican-inspired flavors that dance on your palate.
• Adjust spice levels by controlling jalapeno quantities, making this recipe versatile for different heat preferences while maintaining its core deliciousness.
• Perfect for leisurely weekend cooking, this recipe offers a fun culinary project that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal, encouraging home cooks to explore creative techniques.
• Ideal for gatherings, potlucks, and casual dinner parties, these tacos impress guests with their restaurant-quality presentation and irresistible combination of crunchy chicken and creamy street corn salad.

Ingredients Behind the Chicken Street Corn Tacos

• Chicken Tenders: Juicy and tender meat for the main protein of the dish, choose fresh and high-quality chicken.
• Bacon: Crispy and salty topping that adds extra flavor and crunch.

• Pickle Juice, Buttermilk: Tenderizing liquid for the chicken, helps create a tangy and moist texture.
• Hot Sauce: Adds a spicy kick to the chicken coating.

• Flour, Cornstarch: Creates a crispy and golden exterior for the fried chicken.
• Garlic Powder, Paprika, Onion Powder, Black Pepper, Cayenne Powder: Spice blend for seasoning the chicken coating, provides depth of flavor and heat.

• Corn: Sweet and charred base for the salad, grilled for added smoky flavor.
• Mayonnaise, Lime Juice and Zest: Creamy and tangy dressing for the corn.
• Cotija Cheese: Salty Mexican cheese that adds richness.
• Scallions, Cilantro, Jalapeno: Fresh herbs and spicy element for brightness.

• Mayonnaise, Sour Cream: Creamy base for the ranch sauce.
• Pickled Jalapenos: Adds heat and tanginess.
• Ranch Seasoning: Provides herbal and savory flavor profile.
• Lime Juice: Adds brightness and acidity.

• Flour Tortillas: Soft and pliable base for the tacos.
• Lime Wedges: Fresh citrus for garnish and added zest.

How to Make Fried Chicken Tacos with a Kick

Step 1: Soak Chicken

• Combine pickle juice and buttermilk in a medium bowl
• Submerge chicken tenders completely in liquid
• Cover and refrigerate for minimum 2 hours or overnight

Step 2: Create Flavor Coating

• Flour
• Cornstarch
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Onion powder
• Black pepper
• Cayenne powder

Mix all dry ingredients in one bowl

Separately combine buttermilk and hot sauce in another bowl

Step 3: Perfect Chicken Frying

• Remove chicken from marinade and pat completely dry
• Dredge each chicken piece in flour mixture
• Dip in buttermilk mixture
• Coat again in flour mixture for extra crispiness
• Heat oil in deep skillet to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
• Fry chicken in batches until golden brown
• Ensure internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit
• Drain on paper towels

Step 4: Create Vibrant Street Corn Salad

• Grill corn until slightly charred
• Remove kernels from cob
• Mix corn with
• Mayonnaise
• Minced garlic
• Lime juice and zest
• Scallions
• Cotija cheese
• Cilantro
• Diced jalapeno
• Chili powder
• Salt
• Refrigerate until serving

Step 5: Craft Zesty Jalapeno Lime Ranch

• Puree cilantro, pickled jalapenos, and juice in food processor
• Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, salt
• Stir in pureed jalapeno mixture
• Add lime juice and buttermilk
• Adjust consistency as desired
• Chill in refrigerator

Step 6: Crisp Tortilla Preparation

• Heat skillet to medium-low
• Add small amount of oil
• Cook flour tortillas until golden and crispy
• Maintain tortilla flexibility

Step 7: Assemble Mouthwatering Tacos

• Place fried chicken tender on tortilla
• Top with generous street corn salad
• Drizzle jalapeno lime ranch
• Sprinkle diced bacon
• Serve with lime wedges on side

Tips for Crispy Chicken and Corn Sauce

• Pickle Juice Power: Marinate chicken in pickle juice for at least 2 hours to tenderize and infuse deep, tangy flavors into the meat.
• Double-Dip Crunch: Create extra crispy chicken by double-coating in flour mixture- first dredge, then buttermilk dip, then flour again for maximum crispiness.
• Temperature Trick: Maintain oil at 350F while frying to ensure golden-brown exterior and fully cooked interior without absorbing excess oil.
• Corn Salad Freshness: Grill corn kernels for smoky char and let ingredients meld in refrigerator for enhanced flavor before assembling tacos.
• Sauce Consistency Control: Adjust jalapeno lime ranch thickness by gradually adding buttermilk until reaching desired drizzling or dipping texture.

Reheating Chicken Tacos Without Sogginess

• Store fried chicken and street corn salad separately in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Warm chicken in a preheated oven at 375F for 10-12 minutes to maintain crispiness, avoiding microwave to prevent soggy coating.
• Bring street corn salad to room temperature before serving, gently stirring to redistribute ingredients and restore texture.
• Keep jalapeno lime ranch in a sealed container and stir before serving, as ingredients might separate during storage.

What Complements These Bold Tacos

• Blend tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice, and a dash of jalapeno-infused simple syrup for a zesty cocktail that matches the taco's heat and complements its rich flavors.
• Choose a crisp, light Mexican beer like Modelo Especial or Pacifico to cut through the fried chicken's richness and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the spicy jalapeno elements.
• Mix grapefruit soda, tequila, lime juice, and a salt rim to create a bright, tangy drink that balances the taco's creamy street corn salad and enhances the overall zesty profile.
• Combine Mexican beer, tomato juice, lime, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce for a bold drink that stands up to the fried chicken's robust seasoning and complements the jalapeno components.

Variations for Even Bigger Flavor

• Gluten-Free Crunchy Delight: Swap wheat flour with rice flour or gluten-free all-purpose blend. Use cornstarch as a binding agent and ensure all seasonings are certified gluten-free.
• Vegetarian Corn Taco Swap: Replace chicken with crispy tofu or cauliflower pieces. Marinate plant-based protein in buttermilk alternative and follow the same coating and frying technique.
• Low-Carb Lettuce Wrap Option: Skip tortillas and serve fried chicken and street corn salad inside large butter lettuce leaves. Reduce carbohydrate intake while maintaining full flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Modification: Use coconut milk instead of buttermilk for marinating. Substitute mayonnaise with cashew cream or avocado-based sauce. Replace cotija cheese with nutritional yeast for similar savory notes.

Fried Chicken Taco Questions, Answered

• Why use pickle juice for marinating chicken?

Pickle juice helps tenderize the meat, adds tangy flavor, and keeps the chicken incredibly juicy by breaking down protein fibers.

• Can I make this recipe less spicy?

Reduce or eliminate cayenne powder and jalapenos from street corn salad. You can also use mild hot sauce or skip it entirely for a milder version.

• What type of oil works best for frying chicken?

Peanut oil or vegetable oil are ideal because they have high smoke points and neutral flavors, ensuring crispy and golden chicken without burning.

• How do I know when the chicken is perfectly cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature. Chicken should reach 165F (74C) to ensure it’s fully cooked and safe to eat, with no pink inside.

Fried Chicken Street Corn Taco With Jalapeno Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Spicy street corn taco with fried chicken delivers Mexican street flavor in each zesty bite. Crispy jalapeño-seasoned chicken and charred corn create a perfect fusion of textures and bold southwestern spices that excite your palate.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) chicken tenders
• 1 strip bacon, cooked crisp and diced (per taco)

Marinade and Coating Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) pickle juice
• 2.5 cups (600 milliliters) buttermilk
• 1.5 cups (180 grams) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (30 grams) cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 teaspoon cayenne powder (optional)
• Peanut oil or vegetable oil (for frying)

Additional Ingredients:

• 5–6 ears of corn, husked and grilled
• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) mayonnaise
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 lime, juiced and zested
• ⅓ cup sliced scallions
• ⅓ cup grated cotija cheese
• ¼ cup minced cilantro
• 1 jalapeno, diced
• ½–1 teaspoon chili powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup (180 milliliters) sour cream
• 1 tablespoon dry ranch seasoning
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½

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Instructions

1. Immerse chicken tenders in a tangy pickle juice and buttermilk marinade, allowing flavors to penetrate deeply for 2-4 hours in the refrigerator.
2. Create a robust seasoning blend by mixing flour with cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne powder in one vessel.
3. Prepare a secondary liquid coating by whisking buttermilk with hot sauce in another container.
4. Extract chicken from marinade, thoroughly pat dry to ensure optimal coating adherence.
5. Execute a double-dredging technique: first coat chicken in seasoned flour mixture, then submerge in buttermilk mixture, and finally return to flour mixture for maximum crispiness.
6. Heat oil in a deep skillet to precisely 350F, maintaining consistent temperature for even frying.
7. Carefully fry chicken pieces in batches until achieving a golden-brown exterior and internal temperature reaches 165F.
8. Transfer fried chicken to paper towels, allowing excess oil to drain and maintain crispness.
9. Char corn kernels on grill, creating smoky caramelized edges.
10. Craft street corn salad by combining grilled kernels with mayonnaise, garlic, lime zest and juice, scallions, cotija cheese, cilantro, diced jalapeno, chili powder, and salt.
11. Blend cilantro, pickled jalapenos, and their liquid into a vibrant green puree.
12. Construct jalapeno lime ranch by mixing mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and salt with jalapeno puree and lime juice.
13. Lightly oil skillet and crisp tortillas until golden and pliable.
14. Assemble tacos by layering crispy chicken, generous street corn salad, drizzling jalapeno lime ranch, and sprinkling crisp bacon pieces.
15. Serve with fresh lime wedges to enhance flavor profile.

Notes

• Pickle juice is a secret weapon for tenderizing chicken, breaking down proteins and adding tangy flavor without overwhelming the meat.
• Double-coating ensures an ultra-crispy, crunchy exterior that stays attached to the chicken when biting into the taco.
• Letting the chicken rest on paper towels after frying helps drain excess oil, maintaining the perfect crunch without becoming greasy.
• Grilling corn directly on the flame creates smoky char marks that elevate the street corn salad’s complexity and depth of flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 950 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg