Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos Recipe

Ready to take your taco night to new heights? This Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos recipe is a true game changer! Imagine crispy, juicy fried chicken nestled in warm tortillas, topped with sweet and smoky street corn salad, drizzled generously with cool jalapeño lime ranch, and finished with a hit of crunchy bacon. This burst of flavor, texture, and color is as fun to make as it is to eat—so set the table, invite your favorite people, and get ready for a mouthwatering fiesta!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients You’ll Need

This taco recipe packs flavor at every step, but the ingredients themselves stay refreshingly down-to-earth. Each component, from zesty pickles to fresh corn and creamy buttermilk, plays a vital role in setting off the stars of this dish. A few thoughtful choices truly make this something special!

• Chicken tenders: Opt for these for quick, even frying and supreme juiciness in every bite.
• Pickle juice: It both tenderizes the chicken and infuses a subtle tang that sings in the final taco.
• Buttermilk: Essential for marinating the chicken and creating a lush, crispy coating.
• All-purpose flour & cornstarch: This duo ensures your chicken emerges shatteringly crisp and golden.
• Garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, cayenne, black pepper, and salt: A powerhouse blend for maximum flavor in the breading.
• Hot sauce: Adds a customizable pop of heat throughout the coating.
• Peanut or vegetable oil: Perfect for frying thanks to high smoke points.
• Fresh corn (5–6 ears): Grilled for smoky sweetness that makes the salad a standout.
• Mayonnaise: Brings creaminess to both the street corn and ranch components.
• Fresh lime: Zest and juice brighten both the corn salad and the ranch dressing.
• Scallions, cotija cheese, cilantro, and jalapeño: These fresh picks deliver crunch, salt, herbal notes, and a little spicy kick.
• Chili powder and salt: Finish the corn salad with just the right amount of warmth.
• Sour cream & dry ranch seasoning: The rich, tangy backbone of that irresistible jalapeño lime ranch.
• Pickled jalapeños and juice: Layer in briny, zesty heat in the dressing for this taco.
• Flour tortillas: The soft canvas that pulls everything into a perfect hand-held package.
• Bacon: A smoky, crispy topper adding depth with every bite—trust me, don’t skip this!

How to Make This

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Combine that magical duo of pickle juice and buttermilk in a medium bowl, then add your chicken tenders. Cover and let them relax in the fridge—at least 2 hours, but if you can, overnight is where the magic happens! The result is chicken that’s not only juicy but infused with just the right amount of tanginess to anchor all the bold flavors of this.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken Coating

While your chicken marinated, set up your breading station. In one bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and all those aromatic spices. In another, blend the buttermilk and hot sauce. Here’s a pro tip: add a couple spoonfuls of buttermilk to the flour and stir—those little clumps cling to the chicken, giving this fried chicken its signature ultra-crunchy texture.

Step 3: Fry the Chicken

Pour oil into a heavy skillet or deep fryer and bring it to a steady 350°F. Dredge each tender in the flour, then the buttermilk, and then back into the flour for an ultra-crunchy coating. Let them rest just a minute so the crust sets. Fry in batches—2 or 3 at a time—until they’re a mouthwatering golden brown, about 2-3 minutes each side. Make sure each piece reaches 165°F inside before you call it done. Drain on paper towels for that perfect finish.

Step 4: Make the Street Corn Salad

Char the corn on a grill or grill pan until smoky and golden, then slice off the kernels with a sharp knife. In a large bowl, mix up mayo, garlic, lime zest and juice, scallions, cotija, cilantro, jalapeño, chili powder, and salt. Give everything a good toss. This can chill in the fridge until you’re ready—honestly, it gets even better as the flavors meld!

Step 5: Blend the Jalapeño Lime Ranch

Fire up your blender or food processor and combine cilantro, pickled jalapeños, and jalapeño juice. Once smooth, add in mayo, sour cream, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, salt, lime juice, and buttermilk. Blend until frothy, creamy, and bright green. If needed, thin it out with an extra splash of buttermilk. Pop it in the fridge until taco time—this dressing will wow you every time.

Step 6: Warm the Tortillas

In a skillet (cast iron is great), add a little oil and toast your tortillas one or two at a time until they’re golden and pliable—about 1-2 minutes a side. It makes all the difference in flavor and texture for this taco experience!

Step 7: Assemble the Tacos

Here comes the best part! Lay down a tortilla, top with a piping hot fried chicken tender, a heaping scoop of street corn salad, and a generous drizzle of jalapeño lime ranch. Sprinkle over crispy bacon and extra cilantro, and maybe squeeze over a wedge of fresh lime. Every bite is a little taste of heaven.

How to Serve This

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh cilantro, an extra pinch of cotija cheese, and lime wedges will elevate this taco’s presentation and punch up every bite with freshness and color. If you want even more heat, toss some thinly sliced fresh jalapeños on top!

Side Dishes

Pair these tacos with sides like black bean salad, zesty slaw, or classic chips and guacamole for a total fiesta. A cold Mexican cerveza or sparkling agua fresca alongside really brings the party together—try it and see how this meal truly shines when served family style!

Creative Ways to Present

Looking for show-stopping presentation? Try a taco board loaded with all the fixings so everyone can build their perfect taco. Or, cut fried chicken into bite-sized chunks for “street taco” style appetizers. For game-day, serve this taco filling as sliders or even tuck it into lettuce wraps for a lighter twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you (amazingly) have leftovers, store each component of this separately in airtight containers in the fridge. The chicken, corn salad, and ranch can all stay fresh for up to 3 days. To keep the chicken crisp, store it uncovered for the first hour to let steam escape!

Freezing

Fried chicken pieces freeze well—just let them cool, lay them on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then store in a zip-top bag for up to two months. The street corn salad and ranch, however, are much better fresh; they don’t love the freezer and can get watery when thawed, so plan to enjoy those within the week.

Reheating

To recapture the crunch on your chicken, reheat in a hot oven (400°F) for about 10 minutes rather than microwaving. If you have an air fryer, that works great too! Give your street corn salad and ranch a quick stir before serving, and this taco will taste almost as incredible as day one.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of tenders?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs stay juicy and flavorful and work beautifully here. Just cut them into strips so they cook evenly and fit well in your tortillas—this is a great way to personalize the dish.

Do I have to grill the corn?

While grilling brings out a smoky sweetness that makes this street corn salad extra memorable, you can also use pan-roasted, broiled, or even canned fire-roasted corn in a pinch. Just don’t skip that charring step if you can help it!

What can I substitute for cotija cheese?

If you can’t find cotija, feta is the closest match for flavor and texture. Parmesan will work too, providing that salty punch that brings the salad all together in this recipe.

Is there a way to make this less spicy?

Definitely adjust the jalapeño and cayenne to your taste. Use fewer pickled jalapeños in the ranch and skip fresh jalapeño garnish if you prefer milder tacos—this dish is all about what makes you happy!

Can I make the ranch or salad ahead of time?

Yes! Both the jalapeño lime ranch and the street corn salad can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge, making last-minute assembly a snap. The flavors meld and actually get even better with a little time—another reason this recipe is party perfect.

Final Thoughts

If your taco nights need a serious shake-up, you absolutely must try this Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos recipe. It’s bold, festive, and sure to win rave reviews from everyone at your table. Gather your ingredients, follow these easy steps, and let this become your new favorite way to celebrate with friends and family. Tacos truly don’t get more fun or delicious than this!

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