Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken Recipe
This Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken recipe combines tender boneless chicken breasts or thighs with creamy, cheesy, and tangy flavors inspired by Mexican street corn. Cooked slowly in a crockpot with corn, cream cheese, cotija cheese, lime juice, garlic, and spices, the chicken becomes juicy and easy to shred, creating a rich and comforting dish perfect for busy days or casual dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes (low) or 2 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 10 minutes (high)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 1 lb Boneless Chicken Breasts or Thighs (thighs for richer flavor, breasts for leaner option)
- 2 cups Corn (fresh grilled, frozen, or canned)
For the Sauce
- 4 oz Cream Cheese (can use vegan alternatives like Tofutti or Kite Hill)
- 1/3 cup Cotija Cheese (feta works as a substitute)
- 1 lime, juiced (freshly squeezed preferred)
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced (jarred can be used)
- 1/2 tsp Chili Powder (chipotle or cayenne for more heat)
- 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
For Garnish
- Fresh Cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Layer Ingredients: Place the boneless chicken breasts or thighs at the bottom of your slow cooker. Layer the corn evenly over the chicken, followed by dollops of cream cheese, cotija cheese, freshly squeezed lime juice, minced garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder on top without stirring.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and set it to LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours. Cook until the chicken is juicy and shreds easily with a fork.
- Shred and Combine: Once cooked, shred the chicken directly in the pot using two forks. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly to combine the flavors. If needed, add a little broth or milk to adjust the sauce consistency to your liking.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired and serve warm. This dish pairs well with tortillas, rice, or as a protein-packed filling for tacos and salads.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts for thighs depending on your preference for leaner or richer flavors.
- Use fresh grilled corn for the most authentic flavor, but frozen or canned corn works well too.
- For a vegan or dairy-free option, swap cream cheese and cotija cheese for plant-based alternatives.
- Adjust chili powder amount based on your preferred spice level.
- Mix in a splash of chicken broth or milk after shredding if you want a creamier consistency.
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, street corn chicken, crockpot recipes, Mexican chicken, shredded chicken, creamy chicken recipes
