Sizzling Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos Recipe with Zesty Ranch

Crispy street corn tacos bursting with zesty jalapeno lime ranch perfectly capture summer’s vibrant flavor profile.

Corn kernels dance alongside smoky bacon bits, creating a mouthwatering fusion of textures.

Southwestern spices weave through each bite, promising an explosive culinary adventure.

Tender fried chicken nestles inside warm tortillas, inviting you to savor every delectable moment.

Layers of fresh ingredients blend seamlessly, challenging traditional taco expectations.

Spicy and creamy elements play a delightful game of balance.

One taste promises to transport you straight to a sizzling street food paradise.

Fried Chicken Street Tacos – Best Parts To Savor

• Spice Up Your Meal: Packed with bold, zesty flavors from smoked paprika, chili powder, and jalapeno that deliver a mouthwatering kick to traditional tacos.
• Master Gourmet Comfort Food: Combines classic street food elements like crispy fried chicken and street corn into an elevated, restaurant-quality dish that's surprisingly simple to prepare at home.
• Customize Your Culinary Creation: Offers flexible ingredients and easy assembly, allowing home cooks to adjust spice levels, swap proteins, or modify toppings to suit personal taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Crowd-Pleasing Party Starter: Perfect for casual gatherings, game days, or family dinners where everyone can enjoy building their own tacos with fun, interactive toppings and vibrant flavors.

Ingredients Needed For Chicken Street Tacos

• Chicken Tenders: Tender cuts of chicken that will be marinated and fried for a crispy exterior.
• Bacon: Crispy, salty meat that adds extra flavor and crunch to the tacos.

• Corn: Fresh grilled corn that creates a creamy and tangy street corn mixture.
• Cotija Cheese: Crumbly Mexican cheese that provides a salty and authentic flavor to the street corn.

• Tortillas: Soft corn or flour tortillas that serve as the base for the tacos.
• Mayonnaise, Sour Cream: Creamy base ingredients for the jalapeno lime ranch sauce.
• Jalapeno: Spicy pepper that adds heat and zest to the ranch sauce.
• Lime Juice: Bright, citrusy ingredient that enhances the flavor of multiple components.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb that provides a vibrant and aromatic garnish.

• Flour, Smoked Paprika, Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper: Spice mixture for coating and seasoning the chicken.
• Buttermilk: Tenderizing marinade for the chicken that helps create a crispy coating.
• Chili Powder: Adds warmth and depth to the street corn mixture.

Steps For Flavorful Street Taco Assembly

Step 1: Soak Chicken in Buttermilk

Submerge chicken tenders in buttermilk and let them marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes.

This process helps tenderize the meat and infuse it with extra flavor.

Step 2: Create Seasoned Flour Coating

• Flour
• Smoked paprika
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix these ingredients thoroughly in a wide, shallow bowl to create a delicious coating for the chicken.

Step 3: Fry Chicken to Golden Perfection

Dredge each buttermilk-soaked chicken tender completely in the seasoned flour mixture.

Heat oil in a deep skillet or fryer until it reaches the right temperature.

Carefully place coated chicken into the hot oil and fry until the exterior turns a beautiful golden brown and the inside becomes perfectly cooked.

Transfer fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 4: Whip Up Street Corn Mixture

• Mayonnaise
• Cotija cheese
• Chili powder
• Fresh lime juice

Stir all ingredients until well blended, creating a creamy and tangy street corn topping.

Step 5: Prepare Jalapeno Lime Ranch

• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Chopped jalapenos
• Fresh lime juice
• Minced garlic
• Chopped cilantro

Whisk until smooth and well incorporated, creating a spicy and zesty ranch sauce.

Step 6: Warm Tortillas

Heat corn or flour tortillas in a skillet or microwave until they become soft and pliable.

Step 7: Assemble Mouthwatering Tacos

• Crispy fried chicken
• Generous scoop of street corn mixture
• Crumbled bacon pieces
• Drizzle of jalapeno lime ranch

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro over the tacos.

Serve immediately while everything is warm and crispy.

Street Taco Tips For Extra Crunch

• Soak chicken tenders in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes to ensure tender, flavorful meat that stays juicy during frying.
• Use a mix of flour and spices, ensuring each piece is evenly coated for a perfectly crunchy exterior that locks in moisture.
• Grill corn first to enhance its natural sweetness, then mix with creamy cotija and tangy lime for a vibrant street corn topping.
• Adjust jalapeno quantity to control spice level, allowing heat-sensitive diners to enjoy the zesty ranch sauce without overwhelming their palate.
• Warm tortillas just before assembling to prevent sogginess and maintain the perfect texture of crispy chicken and fresh toppings.

Taco Variations For Ultimate Street Eats

• Vegetarian Corn Tacos: Replace fried chicken with crispy tofu or plant-based chicken alternative, keeping the street corn and jalapeno lime ranch intact for a meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free flour or cornmeal for chicken coating, and swap regular tortillas with corn tortillas to create a celiac-friendly meal.
• Spicy Seafood Variation: Substitute fried chicken with blackened shrimp or grilled fish, maintaining the street corn and ranch sauce for a seafood-inspired taco experience.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Skip tortillas and serve ingredients in a lettuce wrap or over a fresh salad, preserving the core flavors of street corn and crispy protein.

Serving Street Tacos For Gatherings

• Fiesta Night Delight: Invite friends over for a taco party where everyone builds their own tacos with all the delicious components laid out.
• Picnic Perfect Platter: Pack components separately in containers for a portable meal that keeps everything crispy and fresh during outdoor adventures.
• Game Day Crowd-Pleaser: Serve as finger food at sports gatherings by cutting chicken into smaller pieces and using mini tortillas for bite-sized versions.
• Summer Backyard Feast: Pair with cold Mexican beer, fresh margaritas, and a simple side salad to create a complete and vibrant meal experience.

Taco Storage For Later Enjoyment

• Store leftover tacos disassembled in separate airtight containers for up to 3 days. Keep chicken, corn, ranch, and tortillas separate to maintain crispiness and prevent sogginess.
• Wrap individual components in plastic wrap, place in freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 1 month. Chicken and corn can be frozen, but ranch and tortillas are best stored fresh.
• Warm fried chicken in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwave to prevent soggy texture. Use a wire rack on a baking sheet for even heating.

FAQs

• Why buttermilk for marinating chicken?

Buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken by breaking down proteins, making the meat softer and more flavorful. It also helps the flour coating stick better, creating a crispier texture when fried.

• Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

While you can substitute buttermilk with regular milk and a bit of vinegar or lemon juice, buttermilk provides a tangier flavor and better texture for fried chicken.

• How do I get the chicken extra crispy?

Double-dredge the chicken by dipping it in buttermilk again after the first flour coating, then fry at the right oil temperature (around 350°F) to ensure a crispy, golden exterior.

Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos With Bacon And Jalapeno Lime Ranch Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos blend Mexican street fare with crispy Southern charm, bringing explosive flavor to your plate. Bacon and jalapeño lime ranch elevate these tacos, promising a mouthwatering experience you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound (1 lb) chicken tenders
• 4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled

Corn and Dairy:

• 2 cups grilled corn kernels
• 1/4 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 cup buttermilk

Seasoning and Breading:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 jalapeno, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Herbs and Citrus:

• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• Juice of 1 lime

Additional Ingredients:

• 8 small flour or corn tortillas
• Oil for frying

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Instructions

1. Soak chicken tenders in buttermilk for 30 minutes to tenderize and infuse flavor.
2. Create a seasoned coating by blending flour with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
3. Remove chicken from buttermilk, thoroughly coat in seasoned flour mixture, ensuring even coverage.
4. Heat oil to 350°F and fry chicken until crispy and golden brown, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
5. Drain fried chicken on paper towels to remove excess oil and keep crisp.
6. Char corn kernels on a grill or skillet until lightly blackened and caramelized.
7. Combine charred corn with creamy mayonnaise, crumbled cotija cheese, zesty chili powder, and fresh lime juice.
8. Craft jalapeno lime ranch by whisking mayonnaise, tangy sour cream, finely chopped jalapeno, bright lime juice, minced garlic, and fresh cilantro.
9. Warm tortillas until pliable and slightly toasted, about 15-20 seconds per side.
10. Construct tacos by layering crispy chicken, loaded street corn mixture, crumbled bacon, and generously drizzling with spicy jalapeno lime ranch.
11. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and serve immediately while ingredients are warm and crisp.

Notes

• Buttermilk works magic for tenderizing chicken, creating extra juicy and flavorful meat with a crispy exterior.
• Choose boneless chicken tenders or thighs for easier frying and more consistent texture in tacos.
• Adjust jalapeno quantity in ranch sauce to control heat level, making it family-friendly or spice-lover intense.
• For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend during chicken dredging process.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 592 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 870 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 27 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 31 g
• Cholesterol: 125 mg