If you’re searching for a vibrant, flavor-packed dish that captures the essence of summer in every bite, look no further than Healthy Street Corn-Inspired Chicken Salad. This colorful creation takes the beloved flavors of Mexican street corn and combines them with lean chicken, crisp veggies, and a creamy, tangy dressing, resulting in a salad that’s genuinely irresistible. Whether you’re prepping for a weekday lunch or serving friends at a backyard picnic, this Healthy Street Corn-Inspired Chicken Salad is bound to become your new go-to favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a starring role, from the charred corn that brings smoky sweetness to the creamy avocado and zippy lime dressing. These simple elements come together to make a dish that’s as nutritious as it is delicious, with pops of color and texture in every forkful.
- Cooked Chicken Breast (2 cups, shredded or diced): The hearty foundation — tender and packed with protein to keep you satisfied.
- Grilled Corn Kernels (1 ½ cups): Smoky sweetness and a hint of char; use freshly grilled corn or thawed frozen for convenience.
- Cherry Tomatoes (1 cup, halved): They bring juicy bursts of flavor and a cheerful pop of color.
- Red Onion (½ cup, diced): Adds sharpness and crunch to balance out the creaminess.
- Avocado (1, diced): For butteriness and those good-for-you fats that make bites luscious.
- Fresh Cilantro (¼ cup, chopped): Herbal brightness that keeps everything tasting fresh and lively.
- Plain Greek Yogurt (â…“ cup): A creamy, tangy base for the dressing that also adds a protein boost.
- Mayonnaise (2 tablespoons, optional): For extra decadence, though you can skip it for a lighter version.
- Fresh Lime Juice (1 tablespoon): Essential tang that freshens up every ingredient.
- Chili Powder (½ teaspoon): Brings gentle heat and smoky depth—use more if you like a little kick!
- Smoked Paprika (¼ teaspoon): A touch of woodsy, warm flavor that mirrors the street corn vibe.
- Garlic Powder (¼ teaspoon): Adds mouthwatering savory undertones to the dressing.
- Salt and Black Pepper (to taste): Don’t be shy—these seasonings are key for waking up flavors.
- Cotija Cheese (½ cup, crumbled or feta as a substitute): The salty, crumbly finish that makes this salad feel truly special.
How to Make Healthy Street Corn-Inspired Chicken Salad
Step 1: Mix the Salad Base
In your largest mixing bowl, combine the chicken, grilled corn, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, avocado, and chopped cilantro. Toss everything gently—this allows the flavors and textures to mingle, and you get those beautiful colors layered together for a super appetizing bowl.
Step 2: Whisk the Creamy Dressing
In a smaller bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise if you’re using it, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. The tangy yogurt base lightens up the richness, while spices and lime give it a bold, zesty twist that’s classic to street corn while still keeping your Healthy Street Corn-Inspired Chicken Salad light and fresh.
Step 3: Combine and Toss
Pour the creamy dressing over the chicken and veggie mixture. Use a big spoon or spatula to toss gently, making sure everything’s evenly coated but taking care not to mush the avocado. You want every bite of this Healthy Street Corn-Inspired Chicken Salad to have its own burst of flavor and texture.
Step 4: Sprinkle the Cheese
Crumbled cotija cheese is the finishing touch! Sprinkle it over the salad, then gently stir to distribute the salty, crumbly bits throughout. If you’re going for a lighter dish or can’t find cotija, crumbled feta is a close and tasty substitute that will still give you that iconic street corn experience.
Step 5: Chill and Serve
For the best flavor, pop your Healthy Street Corn-Inspired Chicken Salad into the fridge for about 15 minutes before serving. This chill time helps the flavors meld together, and the salad is extra refreshing when it’s nice and cold.
How to Serve Healthy Street Corn-Inspired Chicken Salad
Garnishes
This salad loves a fresh garnish! Try extra chopped cilantro, more crumbled cotija, or a sprinkle of chili powder right before serving. A few lime wedges on the side look pretty and are perfect for squeezing on a bit more zesty flavor.
Side Dishes
You can pair your Healthy Street Corn-Inspired Chicken Salad with crunchy tortilla chips, a pile of mixed greens for a lighter meal, or even serve it inside lettuce cups for a fun, crunchy bite. It’s also gorgeous alongside grilled vegetables or a simple quinoa salad to round out the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re feeling playful, tuck the salad into a whole-grain wrap, spoon it over warm brown rice, or serve it in avocado halves for a show-stopping party appetizer. You could even fill mini bell peppers for a colorful, portable snack. However you serve it, your Healthy Street Corn-Inspired Chicken Salad will steal the spotlight.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, transfer your Healthy Street Corn-Inspired Chicken Salad to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days, and the flavors often deepen overnight!
Freezing
Because of the avocado and creamy dressing, this salad isn’t ideal for freezing—these ingredients can separate or get mushy when thawed. For best results, enjoy your Healthy Street Corn-Inspired Chicken Salad fresh or within a couple of days.
Reheating
This is a chilled salad, so there’s no need to reheat. If you really crave it warm, you can bring the chicken and corn to room temperature before tossing with the other ingredients, but for most, it’s best served straight from the fridge.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken for this salad?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut and infuses extra flavor and tenderness into your Healthy Street Corn-Inspired Chicken Salad. Just shred or dice it and you’re ready to go.
What can I substitute for cotija cheese?
If you can’t find cotija, crumbled feta makes a great stand-in. It has a similar salty, tangy bite that’s perfect for the creamy, bold flavors of this salad.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! All the ingredients in Healthy Street Corn-Inspired Chicken Salad are naturally gluten-free. Just be sure to double-check any spice mixes or chips you serve alongside for hidden gluten sources.
How can I make this salad spicier?
If you like it hot, stir in a diced jalapeño (seeds removed for less heat), or add a dash or two of hot sauce to the dressing. You can also use extra chili powder or a sprinkle of cayenne for daring spice lovers.
Can I prep the salad in advance?
You sure can! Assemble everything but the avocado and cheese, then stir those in right before serving to keep the flavors fresh and the textures vibrant. The dressing and base can be prepped and stored separately for up to a day ahead.
Final Thoughts
Ready to fall in love at first bite? I can’t recommend this Healthy Street Corn-Inspired Chicken Salad enough for anyone who craves easy, nourishing meals with serious flavor. Give it a try, and I have a feeling it’ll become a staple in your kitchen, too!
Print
Healthy Street Corn-Inspired Chicken Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook (with optional grilling)
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Healthy Street Corn-Inspired Chicken Salad is a flavorful and nutritious twist on classic street corn. Packed with grilled corn, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado, and tender chicken, this salad is dressed in a zesty Greek yogurt and lime dressing. Topped with cotija cheese for an extra burst of flavor, it’s a perfect dish for a light and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Chicken Salad:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- 1 ½ cups grilled corn kernels (from about 2 ears of corn or thawed frozen corn)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup diced red onion
- 1 avocado, diced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese (or feta as a substitute)
Dressing:
- â…“ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (optional for added creaminess)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken, corn, cherry tomatoes, red onion, avocado, and cilantro.
- Make Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the chicken and vegetable mixture and toss gently until well coated. Sprinkle the crumbled cotija cheese on top and gently stir to combine.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Chill for 15 minutes before serving for best flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute grilled corn with canned or frozen corn in a pinch.
- For extra heat, add a diced jalapeño or a few dashes of hot sauce.
- Serve over greens, in a wrap, or with tortilla chips for a full meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 460 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
