Sweet & Spicy Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos with Jalapeño Lime Ranch Recipe

Street corn tacos have a magical way of bringing zesty Mexican flavors to fried chicken that dance across your plate with irresistible charm.

Crispy golden chicken pieces nestle perfectly inside warm tortillas.

Jalapeño lime ranch adds a creamy punch that makes these tacos seriously addictive.

corn kernels bring sweet-smoky notes that complement the spicy-tangy sauce beautifully.

Bold textures and layers of flavor create a memorable meal that feels like a celebration.

Summer cookouts or casual weeknight dinners become extraordinary with this unexpected twist on classic favorites.

One bite, and you’ll be completely hooked on these mouthwatering tacos that blend comfort and excitement.

FAQs

• What makes the buttermilk marinade special for the chicken?

Buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken by breaking down proteins, making the meat softer and more flavorful. It also helps the seasoned flour coating stick better, ensuring a crispy exterior.

• How do I know the oil is at the right temperature for frying chicken?

Use a thermometer or test by dropping a small piece of flour into the oil. If it sizzles immediately and rises to the top, the oil is ready at around 350°F. The chicken should turn golden brown in about 3-4 minutes per side.

• Can I make this recipe less spicy?

Reduce or eliminate the cayenne pepper in the flour mixture. For the jalapeño lime ranch, remove the seeds from the jalapeño or use a milder pepper like poblano to decrease heat while maintaining flavor.

• What are some tips for getting extra crispy fried chicken?

Pat chicken dry before marinating, use cold buttermilk, ensure oil is hot enough, don’t overcrowd the pan, and let chicken rest on a wire rack after frying to maintain crispiness.

Street Corn Chicken Tacos With Bold Ranch Heat

• Spice Up Weeknight Dinner: Discover a mouthwatering fusion of crispy fried chicken and zesty street corn tacos that transforms ordinary meals into extraordinary experiences.
• Quick and Easy Culinary Adventure: This recipe takes just 45 minutes, making it perfect for busy home cooks who crave restaurant-quality flavors without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Customize with Confidence: Adjust spice levels by playing with cayenne and jalapeño quantities, ensuring every family member finds their perfect flavor profile.
• Crowd-Pleasing Potential: These tacos blend familiar comfort food elements like fried chicken with exciting Mexican-inspired street corn, creating an irresistible dish that appeals to both kids and adults.

Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos Ingredients

• Chicken Strips: Tender, juicy meat as the star of the taco, best when marinated for maximum flavor. Choose fresh, high-quality chicken breast for best results.

• Buttermilk, Flour: Creates tender, crispy chicken coating. Buttermilk helps tenderize meat, while flour provides golden crunch. Whole wheat flour works as a healthier alternative.

• Paprika, Garlic Powder, Cayenne, Salt, Pepper: Adds complex, spicy flavor profile to chicken coating. Fresh, high-quality spices make a significant difference.

• Vegetable Oil: Essential for achieving crispy, golden-brown chicken. Neutral flavor allows spices to shine.

• Corn Kernels: Provides sweet, charred base for street corn mixture. Grilled corn adds smoky depth.

• Mayonnaise, Cotija Cheese, Chili Powder, Cilantro: Creamy, tangy corn topping with Mexican-inspired flavors. Cotija cheese offers authentic, salty touch.

• Sour Cream, Mayonnaise, Jalapeño, Lime Juice, Garlic Powder, Cilantro: Creates zesty, creamy ranch with spicy kick. Fresh jalapeño provides best heat level.

• Tortillas, Lettuce: Soft base for taco construction. Corn tortillas offer traditional Mexican style.

• Cilantro, Lime Wedges: Fresh, bright finishing touches that enhance overall flavor profile.

Chicken Street Tacos Prep Steps

Step 1: Marinate Chicken Strips

Place chicken strips in buttermilk and let them soak for at least 30 minutes to ensure maximum flavor and tenderness.

For deeper flavor, you can marinate overnight in the refrigerator.

Step 2: Prepare Seasoned Flour Coating

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

Whisk these ingredients together in a wide, shallow bowl to create a well-seasoned flour mixture.

Step 3: Heat Cooking Oil

Pour vegetable oil into a large skillet, filling it about one inch deep.

Heat the oil over medium heat until it becomes shimmery and hot, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes.

Step 4: Fry Chicken Strips

Carefully dredge each buttermilk-soaked chicken strip in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off any excess coating.

Gently place the coated chicken into the hot oil, frying in batches to maintain oil temperature.

Cook until the chicken turns golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Step 5: Drain and Rest Chicken

Remove fried chicken strips from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil and maintain crispiness.

Let them rest for a few minutes.

Step 6: Prepare Street Corn Mixture

• Grilled corn kernels
• Mayonnaise
• Cotija cheese
• Chili powder
• Chopped cilantro

Mix thoroughly to create a creamy, flavorful corn topping.

Step 7: Create Jalapeno Lime Ranch

• Sour cream
• Mayonnaise
• Diced jalapeño
• Fresh lime juice
• Garlic powder
• Chopped cilantro

Season with salt and pepper to taste, creating a zesty ranch sauce.

Step 8: Warm Tortillas

Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or briefly in the oven until they become soft and pliable.

Step 9: Assemble Tacos

• Shredded lettuce
• Crispy fried chicken strips
• Street corn mixture
• Jalapeño lime ranch

Step 10: Garnish and Serve

Top tacos with additional fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side for an extra burst of citrusy flavor.

Taco Ideas for Fried Chicken Street Corn Flavor

• Soak chicken in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes to tenderize and infuse deep flavor, ensuring juicy and flavorful meat.
• Use a thermometer or test oil temperature by dropping a flour pinch to ensure perfect golden-brown chicken without burning.
• Grill corn beforehand for smoky depth, or use fresh kernels for maximum sweetness and texture in street corn mixture.
• Adjust cayenne and jalapeño amounts to personalize heat intensity, making the dish mild or fiery based on preference.
• Substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a tangier, lighter ranch sauce that cuts through the fried chicken's richness.

Fried Chicken Tacos Kept Warm

• Store leftover fried chicken and street corn separately in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Revive crispy texture by baking chicken strips on a wire rack in a preheated 375°F oven for 10-12 minutes, ensuring they're heated through without becoming soggy.
• Keep street corn mixture sealed tightly, and when ready to serve, gently warm in a skillet for 2-3 minutes to maintain its vibrant flavors and texture.
• Transfer jalapeño lime ranch to a sealed container and refrigerate for up to 5 days, giving it a quick stir before using to restore its creamy consistency.

Great Add-Ons for Fried Chicken Street Tacos

• Flavor Explosion Companions
• Craft crisp Mexican lager beer to complement the spicy, tangy chicken tacos and cut through rich fried textures.
• Refreshing Sidekick
• Mix a zesty lime margarita with fresh agave and silver tequila to enhance the jalapeño lime ranch's bright citrus notes.
• Cool Contrast Beverage
• Blend a smooth horchata with creamy rice and cinnamon to balance the dish's heat and provide a soothing counterpoint to spicy elements.
• Unexpected Pairing Champion
• Select a chilled sparkling rosé with light fruity undertones to cleanse the palate between bites of crispy fried chicken and vibrant street corn.

Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos Bold Twists

• Gluten-Free Ranch Chicken Corn Tacos: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free rice flour or cornmeal for dredging chicken, ensuring crispy texture for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Low-Carb Mexican Lettuce Wraps: Swap corn tortillas with large lettuce leaves like butter lettuce or romaine, creating a lighter, carbohydrate-reduced version of the original recipe.
• Vegetarian Crispy Corn Tacos: Substitute chicken with crispy fried tofu or cauliflower, marinated in buttermilk alternative and coated with seasoned flour for a plant-based protein option.
• Dairy-Free Jalapeño Ranch Adaptation: Use cashew cream or coconut yogurt instead of sour cream and mayonnaise, blending with jalapeños and lime juice to maintain creamy ranch-style sauce for dairy-restricted diets.

Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos with Jalapeno Lime Ranch Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sizzling Mexican street corn meets crispy fried chicken in these irresistible fried chicken street corn tacos with jalapeno lime ranch. Spicy, creamy, and packed with bold flavors, this mouthwatering fusion will transport your taste buds to a fiesta of culinary delight.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into strips
• 1 cup buttermilk

Coating and Seasoning:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon (1/2 tsp) garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon (1/2 tsp) cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Vegetable oil, for frying

Taco and Topping Ingredients:

• 2 ears of corn, grilled or roasted, kernels removed
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon (1/2 tsp) chili powder
• 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) fresh cilantro, chopped

Jalapeno Lime Ranch:

• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons (2 tbsp) fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
• 1/2 teaspoon (1/2 tsp) garlic powder
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Serving Ingredients:

• 8 small flour or corn tortillas
• Shredded lettuce (optional)
• Additional lime wedges, for serving

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Marinate chicken strips in buttermilk for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing the dairy to tenderize and infuse flavor into the meat.
2. Create a seasoned flour mixture by combining flour with paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper, ensuring an even distribution of spices.
3. Prepare vegetable oil in a skillet, heating it to a medium temperature until it develops a shimmering, ready-to-fry consistency.
4. Carefully coat each chicken strip in the seasoned flour mixture, gently shaking off excess to prevent clumping during frying.
5. Submerge floured chicken into hot oil, cooking in batches to maintain optimal temperature, until pieces transform into a golden-brown exterior with a crispy texture.
6. Verify chicken’s doneness by confirming internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C, then transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil.
7. Transform grilled corn kernels into a vibrant street corn mixture by blending with mayonnaise, crumbled cotija cheese, chili powder, and fresh cilantro.
8. Craft a zesty jalapeño lime ranch by whisking sour cream, mayonnaise, finely chopped jalapeño, tangy lime juice, garlic powder, and cilantro.
9. Season the ranch sauce with salt and pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
10. Gently warm tortillas in a dry skillet or oven to enhance their pliability and flavor.
11. Construct tacos by layering a bed of crisp lettuce, followed by the golden-fried chicken strips.
12. Top with the prepared street corn mixture and generously drizzle the jalapeño lime ranch across the filling.
13. Finish by garnishing with additional fresh cilantro and serving alongside bright lime wedges for an extra burst of citrus.

Notes

• Marinate chicken overnight for maximum flavor infusion and incredible tenderness that melts in your mouth.
• Use a deep-fry thermometer to maintain oil temperature around 350°F for perfectly crispy, golden-brown chicken without greasiness.
• For gluten-free adaptation, replace wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend, ensuring same seasoning ratios.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting cayenne pepper and jalapeño quantities to suit personal spice preferences, from mild to fiery.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg