Crispy Fried Chicken Street Corn Taco Recipe with Zesty Ranch

Crispy street-style corn tacos with fried chicken deliver an unexpected flavor explosion that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Kernels of sweet corn mingle with spicy jalapeños, creating a vibrant backdrop for perfectly golden chicken.

Southern comfort meets Mexican street food in this irresistible mashup.

Crunchy chicken pieces nestle inside warm tortillas, promising a delightful contrast of textures.

ranch dressing gets a zesty lime twist, cutting through the richness with bright, tangy notes.

Jalapeños add a subtle heat that builds with each incredible bite.

You won’t be able to stop at just one of these mouthwatering tacos.

FAQs

• Why buttermilk for marinating chicken?

Buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken by breaking down proteins, making the meat more soft and juicy. It also adds a tangy flavor and helps the flour coating stick better during frying.

• Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

While you can substitute buttermilk with regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice, buttermilk provides the best flavor and tenderizing effect for fried chicken.

• How do I keep the fried chicken crispy?

Drain the chicken on paper towels immediately after frying to remove excess oil. Serve the tacos right away to maintain the crispy texture of the chicken.

Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos With Jalapeno Lime Ranch Guide

• Craft Bold Flavor Combinations: Merge the crispy, spicy fried chicken with zesty street corn and tangy jalapeno lime ranch for an explosion of exciting taste sensations that dance on your palate.
• Customize Your Culinary Adventure: Easily adjust spice levels by modifying jalapeno amounts or swapping ingredients to suit personal preferences, making this recipe versatile for different taste buds.
• Quick and Satisfying Meal Solution: Transform simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish that delivers maximum flavor with minimal cooking complexity, perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
• Elevate Taco Night Excitement: Break away from traditional taco recipes by introducing unexpected elements like street corn and crispy fried chicken, turning an ordinary meal into a memorable culinary experience.

Ingredients For Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos

• Chicken Tenders: Fresh chicken tenders perfect for creating a crispy and flavorful main component of the taco.
• Buttermilk: Helps tenderize and add tangy flavor to the chicken during marination.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates a crispy coating for the fried chicken.
• Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Cayenne Pepper, Salt, Black Pepper: Blend of spices that adds depth and heat to the chicken's flavor.

• Grilled Corn: Sweet and charred corn provides a fresh element to the taco.
• Cotija Cheese: Crumbly Mexican cheese that adds a salty and tangy taste.
• Mayonnaise: Creamy base that helps bind the street corn mixture.
• Lime Juice: Adds brightness and acidity to the corn topping.
• Chili Powder: Provides a mild heat and complex flavor.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb that brings a vibrant, herbaceous note.

• Sour Cream, Mayonnaise: Creamy base for the ranch sauce.
• Jalapeno: Adds spicy kick and fresh pepper flavor.
• Lime Juice: Brings acidity and brightness to the sauce.
• Garlic Powder, Salt, Black Pepper: Seasonings that enhance the ranch flavor.

• Tortillas: Soft base for assembling the tacos.
• Extra Cilantro, Lime Wedges: Fresh garnish and serving accompaniments.

Stepwise Guide To Fried Chicken Tacos

Step 1: Bathe Chicken in Buttermilk

Submerge chicken tenders completely in buttermilk. Let them soak and marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes to ensure tender, flavorful meat.

Step 2: Create Crunchy Coating

• All-purpose flour
• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 3: Dredge and Prepare Chicken

Lift each buttermilk-soaked chicken tender and thoroughly coat in the seasoned flour mixture. Press gently to help coating adhere perfectly.

Step 4: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Carefully place coated chicken tenders into hot oil.

Cook until exterior turns deep golden brown and interior reaches safe temperature, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.

Step 5: Craft Street Corn Topping

• Grilled corn kernels
• Mayonnaise
• Cotija cheese
• Fresh lime juice
• Chili powder
• Chopped cilantro

Mix ingredients until well incorporated.

Step 6: Whip Up Jalapeno Lime Ranch

• Sour cream
• Mayonnaise
• Finely minced jalapeno
• Lime juice
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk until smooth and well combined.

Step 7: Assemble Mouthwatering Tacos

Warm soft tortillas briefly in skillet or microwave.

Layer each tortilla with crispy chicken tender.

Step 8: Add Final Flourishes

Top chicken with street corn mixture.

Drizzle generously with jalapeno lime ranch. Sprinkle additional fresh cilantro.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Plate tacos with fresh lime wedges on side. Serve immediately while chicken remains crisp and corn topping vibrant.

Tips For Crispy Chicken Street Corn Tacos

• Marinate chicken in buttermilk overnight for deeper flavor and more tender meat.
• Choose high-quality, fresh corn for the best street corn topping, ensuring maximum sweetness and texture.
• Control oil temperature carefully while frying chicken to prevent burning and achieve perfectly crispy exterior.
• Adjust jalapeno amount in ranch sauce based on personal spice tolerance for customized heat level.
• Allow chicken to rest on paper towels after frying to drain excess oil and maintain crispiness.

Variations Of Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos

• Gluten-Free Crispy Chicken Option: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free cornmeal mix for a celiac-friendly version. Use gluten-free tortillas to complete the taco.
• Vegetarian Street Corn Taco: Swap fried chicken with crispy tofu or roasted cauliflower. Marinate plant-based protein in buttermilk alternative and follow same breading technique.
• Low-Carb Mexican Taco Bowl: Skip tortillas and serve fried chicken and street corn over mixed greens. Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for ranch sauce to reduce calories.
• Spicy Caribbean Chicken Variation: Add jerk seasoning to chicken coating. Replace cotija cheese with queso fresco and include diced mango in street corn mixture for tropical flavor profile.

What Goes With Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos

• Fiesta Flavor Burst: Slice the fried chicken into bite-sized pieces for easier taco eating, creating a fun street food experience with maximum flavor in every bite.
• Picnic Party Platter: Arrange tacos on a large wooden board with extra ranch and lime wedges, perfect for sharing and creating a communal dining atmosphere that brings people together.
• Spice Level Adventure: Offer different hot sauce options on the side, allowing guests to customize their heat level and create a personalized taco experience that matches their spice tolerance.
• Leftover Magic Makeover: Transform remaining tacos into a delicious salad by chopping chicken and corn, mixing with crisp lettuce, and drizzling with jalapeno lime ranch for a quick next-day meal.

How To Keep Fried Chicken Tacos Fresh

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Store fried chicken tacos separately from corn topping and ranch sauce to keep tortillas crisp and ingredients from getting soggy.
• Consume refrigerated leftovers within 3-4 days for optimal taste and safety.

Crispy Fried Chicken Street Corn Taco With Jalapeno Lime Ranch Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

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

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Description

Spicy street corn fried chicken tacos showcase Mexican-inspired culinary brilliance with crispy chicken and zesty jalapeño lime ranch. Flavor-packed ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a mouthwatering experience that satisfies regional cravings and delights taste buds.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound (1 lb) chicken tenders

Corn and Cheese Topping:

• 2 cups grilled or roasted corn kernels
• 1/4 cup cotija cheese (crumbled)
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon lime juice

Vegetables and Herbs:

• 1 jalapeno (seeded and minced)
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Additional Components:

• Vegetable oil (for frying)
• 8 small flour or corn tortillas
• Additional lime wedges for serving

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Instructions

1. Submerge chicken tenders in buttermilk and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes to enhance tenderness and flavor absorption.
2. Create a seasoned flour mixture by combining flour with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper for a robust coating.
3. Remove chicken from buttermilk, allowing excess liquid to drip off, then thoroughly coat each tender in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a heavy skillet to 350°F, maintaining a consistent medium-high temperature for optimal frying.
5. Carefully place flour-coated chicken tenders into hot oil, cooking approximately 3-4 minutes per side until exterior turns golden brown and crispy, with internal temperature reaching 165°F.
6. Transfer fried chicken to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil and maintain crispiness.
7. Prepare street corn mixture by combining grilled corn kernels with mayonnaise, crumbled cotija cheese, fresh lime juice, chili powder, and finely chopped cilantro.
8. Craft jalapeno lime ranch by whisking sour cream, mayonnaise, finely minced jalapeno, tangy lime juice, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well-integrated.
9. Gently warm tortillas in a skillet or microwave for 15-20 seconds to enhance pliability.
10. Assemble tacos by placing crispy fried chicken tender on each warm tortilla, generously topping with street corn mixture.
11. Drizzle with zesty jalapeno lime ranch, garnish with additional fresh cilantro, and serve alongside lime wedges for an extra burst of citrus.

Notes

• Let chicken soak in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes to ensure maximum tenderness and flavor infusion.
• Create a balanced flour coating by adjusting spice ratios to match your heat preference, using fresh ground spices for maximum flavor punch.
• Maintain consistent medium heat around 350°F to achieve perfectly crispy chicken without burning the exterior.
• Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for celiac-friendly version, or use plant-based chicken alternatives for vegetarian adaptation.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 488 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 29 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg